Vets-Now

Re: Vets-Now

claire Speight — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:41:12 GMT

I did a day shift on a Sunday as a locum for Vets Now back in August 2010. Got paid £15/hr as refused to do it for less. Have to say it was a very busy shift - think we had about 15 inpatients, aswell as several emergenies and surgical ops - got about a 20 min break all day (8.30am - 7pm). Did have another nurse but have to say she did very little and seemed to spend most of her time on reception as she knew how to work the computer system (which I didn't) - yes there was also a receptionist...and 2 vets.

I don't think I would do another shift at the branch of Vets Now that I did as it was such an unorganised clinic and poorly set our practice, but I would do another shift for Vets Now at another branch (though not for less than £15/hr).

I got paid on their next payroll without problem and also my milage (although was only 25p/mile), but better than nothing.

Claire

Re: Vets-Now

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:20:18 GMT

This is out of hours/emergencies work, so expect experienced nurses and a higher rate of pay, its not your average wage for nurses. These vary drastically.....but thats another thread on its own!!!

Re: Vets-Now

meep_ kitten — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:13:30 GMT

Actually the wages dont seem so bad. I've spent years studying science at 3rd level whilst getting experience working with animals on a voluntary basis, would LOVE to work as a RVN so looking at trying to secure a student placement, was a bit worried the wages would be awful if qualified but that sounds reasonable.

Re: Vets-Now

Recruitment Team — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:01:55 GMT

Hi, hope you are well, just to say we can look at Self Employed Contractors as long as you are a Limited Company or are set up with an Umbrella Company - if you would like more details please call me on 01383 627609, Lisa x

Re: Vets-Now

Recruitment Team — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:00:31 GMT

Hi really sorry to hear this :( My name ls Lisa Docherty and I work in the Recrutiment Team at Support Office - can you call me on 01383 627609 or my email is Lisa.docherty@vets-now.com and I can help you with this. Sorry for this. Lisa x

Re: Vets-Now

rozzavn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:05:58 GMT

I had a phone interview with Vets-now re some locum work and they didnt want to take me on as I am self employed (I dont use an agency) so that may be something to bear in mind if you are thinking about locuming for them.

Re: Vets-Now

salliee5 — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:10:25 GMT

Thanks Alison,

The money thing is just curious to me to be honest, (I really hope no-one thinks I was moaning about it ) I find it really interesting the varying rates etc. But it's not the be all and end all, I have heard so many good things about working for vets now from both locum and permanent staff members. I also really like their random day and night shifts that they have available which suits me down to the ground.

Anyway back to the books (and the library )

Thanks for all the informative replies, I now am keen to get involved!

Sally

Re: Vets-Now

Alison Conn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:58:31 GMT

Hi Sal,

It depends on where you work how much you get paid. The night shifts range from around £150 up wards in the greater london area.

The clinics vary considerable on how busy they are. I locumed and am now a full time member of staff and the pay issue has never arisen for me and on the rare occasion it has happened for one of my locums I have sorted it within a week.

If your central london I did see an advert the other day for Elizabeth St Emergency Clinic looking for locum staff. They are just round corner from Victoria station ?may be better money

Re: Vets-Now

salliee5 — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:56:12 GMT

Hi Sam,

Just curious about the rate...£120 for a 13.5 hour shift? That is about £9 per hour. is that really the going rate? Gosh last time I worked a night shift I was offered £15/hr.

Sally

Re: Vets-Now

hobbits — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:40:45 GMT

Hi shelly, thanks for that. Im senior nurse at winchester vets-now but know the senior vet at northolt so if its ok with you I will email the details to him and ask him to look into it and get you paid asap. We can arrange urgent payments which take 24-48 hours. If you could PM me your name (if its not shelly ) I can try and get it moving for you. It isnt normal for people not to be paid. Most of the time if it has been your first shift it is a problem with finance not having received a new start form. Do you remember if you filled one out?

On the whole I love working for vets-now, I enjoy the work and the people. Nights arent for everyone over a long period of time but for locum work then weekend days are also available, depending on the clinic. It really does vary very much from clinic to clinic. As a rule the clinics with more than one nurse/vet on at a time tend to be the PDSA clinics as these are busier - but its not a hard and fast rule.

The rate for south east is £120/night though many clinics down here are now 13.5 hour nights, especially mid week and 12/hr day shifts.

Hope that helps, any questions, feel free to ask :)

Sam

Re: Vets-Now

Alana Dent — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:17:26 GMT

[quote user="Shelly vn"]

I've done some vets now, and its fine, but a word of warning. I did a day shift back in May and i still haven't been paid. I've spoken to head office and text the head nurse at the clinic and no-one's got back to me.

[/quote]I have to

Re: Vets-Now

Shelly vn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:21:19 GMT

[quote user="hobbits"]

HI Shelly,

what vets-now branch was it you worked at? and do you know the date?

Thanks

Sam

[/quote]

It was the Northholt branch and it was either the 15th or 16th of May (which ever one was a saturday). Its really put me off working for them again.

Re: Vets-Now

salliee5 — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:15:26 GMT

Wow guys thanks so much for your reply.

So I guess every clinic is different then. I probably will give it a go. I haven't discussed money yet, but there is no way I'd do a 15 hour night shift for £100 or even work a day shift for £10/hr but I guess that's London (I am presuming this rate wasn't in London) for you, my rent alone for a small one bed must be the same if not more than a whole lovely house somewhere else

Thanks again

Sal

Re: Vets-Now

hobbits — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:44:06 GMT

HI Shelly,

what vets-now branch was it you worked at? and do you know the date?

Thanks

Sam

Re: Vets-Now

Shelly vn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:44:43 GMT

Re: Vets-Now

Angiy Michael — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:22:33 GMT

I used to loads but advised them as off this year I can't do it unless they up the pay..still paying the same for nights as they did in 2003 and the clinics I have worked at are much busier..so £100/night for what is a 15 hour shift is not enough..the last few I did we didn't stop chasing our tails all night ..exhausting . The days can be better and pay £10/hr..although once again that is what they paid back in 2003..but as day rate goes its not too bad. I don't have any other objections to working for them, work interesting, most premises good, protocols in place etc., XX

Re: Vets-Now

gemma — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:34:59 GMT

Hi,

I work for vets now as a permanent member of staff. It depends on what clinic you are going to be locuming in. Some clinics have reception staff until midnight then you and the vet are on your own through the night. Again depending on the clinic there may be a backshift nurse and vet who are in the clinic from 6pm - 12am and then again the overnight nurse and vet are on their own when they leave.

I work in the glasgow hospital so we have backshift vets, nurses and receptionists who are all there until 12.30am, but as i said some of the smaller clinics dont have backshift staff or receptionists at all. At glasgow we also have an ACA (animal care assistant) until 12am.

Hope this helps

Re: Vets-Now

Maisy — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:34:37 GMT

I've done some locuming at a couple of clinics. One is a busy practice with 1 vet/VN for the full shift and a vet/VN til midnight (and receptionist and PDSA ACA). Receptionists took the phones til the end of their shift and but vet/nurse helps out where needed. Busy place and as it was at a PDSA clinic, they have a ACA who also helped out with Vets Now.

Other clinic not as busy all the time so was just one vet/nurse and receptionist. I found that other staff are more than happy to chip in with phones/cleaning up. I think it depends on which clinic you work at as to whether its sole charge though. There are a few Vets Now staff on here so hopefully they can help more!