Where are all the locum vets????

RE: Where are all the locum vets????

Lucy-lu — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:07:56 GMT

Hi Arlo,

Have pm'd you.

We are already advertising on the vetsurgeon.co.uk.

To be honest, we have struggled to even find full time vets looking for a position too. We are new practice and the clientele is really good, as is the work load for them. It's madness!

RE: Where are all the locum vets????

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:23:40 GMT

[quote user="Lucy-lu"]We have contacted over 20 different agencies and no luck. We are considering hiring a medium to see if " anybody is there?"[/quote]

No need to resort to that, though. Here they are, on the VetSurgeon Locum Map (you have to log in to see it).

Also note that it's worth looking further afield than just the ones near you, as some have indicated they will work anywhere in the country.

[quote user="Lucy-lu"]the other was offered 3 weeks of work over our 2 we were offering?[/quote]

Must say, I do think that is bad. I mean, if you agree to do something, you agree to do it, and it's a bit out of order to go back on your word just because something better comes along. I'm going to bring in some quality control on the VetNurse and VetSurgeon locum maps to try and address this kind of thing.

[quote user="Lucy-lu"]We have contacted over 20 different agencies and no luck[/quote] Surprises me (but others have said the same over on VetSurgeon).

[quote user="Lucy-lu"]So if anyone knows of locum vet that is looking, please point them our way.[/quote]

Depending on timing, I could ask in the VetSurgeon Newsletter which goes out at the start of next month. Send me a PM if that would help.

RE: Where are all the locum vets????

steph fursland — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 23:44:47 GMT

I do occasional locum work and have been offered a permanent job through locumming a couple of times, so I think the lack of vets generally means that locums get offered permanent posts if they want them, and the remaining ones are busy! I think making contact with them personally (linked in, vetsurgeon locum map, networking at CPD etc!) is a good idea as in my experience, certain agencies seem to sometimes suggest pretty inappropriate jobs, and there is no contact with the practice before the day you rock up, so obviously it's less likely to be a positive experience for both practice and the vet if you aren't what each other are looking for.

RE: Where are all the locum vets????

Ems — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:06:34 GMT

Ive heard of similar problems with finding locum vets, we've also had a few issues in the past with the ones we did find; rude/old school (don't like new SOPs)/incompetent/very expensive or all of the above!! Can't seem to find a nice compromise - we're happy to pay but we expect them to be professional. I know this isn't across the board!

The lovely ones we did have don't seem locum anymore, I wonder if they end up getting snapped up by other clinics full-time?