This article will look at the role of the locum veterinary surgeon from both the locum vet’s point of view and that of the practice.
The current locum situation
The definition of a locum is a person who temporarily fulfils the duties of another; the term is especially used in the medical profession.
Why the need for locums?
There have been several factors that have led to an increased number of locum positions in the veterinary industry. However, the driving force of this has been the decreasing number of available veterinary surgeons is largely due to the lack of retention of veterinary surgeons in the profession once they have qualified. This is linked with:
- Remuneration levels that are not meeting the expectations of young vets who have large student debts to repay
- The disillusionment of vets due to the high stress of day-to-day veterinary work, where often there is inadequate time or support to fulfil their primary positions satisfactorily
- Brexit has had a profound effect on the number of European veterinary surgeons working in the UK
All these factors have reduced the supply of vets across the industry. This then puts pressure on veterinary practices to ensure an adequate vet workforce for the day-to-day running of the practice, hence the need for locum positions.
Should I become a locum veterinary surgeon?
Advantages
Working as a locum veterinary surgeon allows greater flexibility as you are able to choose your working pattern: for example, a two-day week, a three-day week or working for two weeks then taking a week off.
This flexibility is facilitated by the increased earning power of a locum compared to a permanent position. On average a locum for day work would earn £50 per hour and a permanent position £25 per hour.
Each [locum option] has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to understand the differences to make an informed decision about which option is best for you
When working as a veterinary locum, there are several different ways that you can operate as a self-employed individual or contractor, or on the practice payroll. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to understand the differences to make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
There is a limited commitment to a practice, with the commitment being contractually agreed with the practice. A locum can develop a relationship with a veterinary practice which would facilitate future part-time employment.
Disadvantages
Working as a locum means that each practice you enter will likely have a different computer system for recording information. If it is new to you, it can be stressful learning how to use that system.
There are a variety of drug manufacturers all producing similar or the same drugs with varying dose ranges and compound sizes. Becoming proficient in these is time-consuming and can be demanding. Linked with this, practices have different treatment protocols, including ages of vaccination and neutering. All protocols must be learned to ensure practice continuity. Further, anaesthesia and surgical procedures vary from practice to practice. You may be used to a certain sedation or anaesthetic procedure which may not be used in the locum practice.
Although being a locum may have a higher daily payment, depending on how you decide to be paid, you won’t get some of the same benefits a permanent employee will get such as paid holidays, sick pay and pensions.
Furthermore, as a locum veterinary surgeon it is difficult to follow cases through and see outcomes, resulting in missed learning opportunities due to lack of mentorship. Other drawbacks for locums include feeling alienated from a team ethos, lacking a support network for dealing with mistakes and a worse outcome of blame culture directed towards the locum.
Sometimes locums find themselves in a practice where bad practice and poor clinical decisions are being made and they must try not to learn the wrong things
Sometimes locums find themselves in a practice where bad practice and poor clinical decisions are being made and they must try not to learn the wrong things. This can be difficult when you don’t know what the wrong thing is. The lack of accountability and monitoring in locum positions can lead to inconsistencies in practice standards and potentially harm to the practitioner’s growth and quality of patient care. All these factors reduce the satisfaction of a practising veterinary surgeon.
Should I employ a locum in my practice?
Advantages
The employing practice will also have a view on the advantages and disadvantages of employing veterinary locums.
The main advantage for practices employing locums is to cover short-term vacancies from the practice due to holidays, maternity leave and illness. This ensures the practice runs efficiently and continues to be profitable. If clients are not serviced properly due to absenteeism, then they will become disillusioned and seek veterinary cover elsewhere.
Further, with a short-term employment, it is easier to part company with the employee if there are personality or quality of work problems.
Disadvantages
One of the major issues with employing locum vets is client continuity. This is one of the concerns that clients have when visiting your practice: “I want to see Mr Smith, not the locum.”
Practices could mitigate some of these issues by creating comprehensive guidelines and possibly favouring repeat locum contracts to minimise disruptions and learning curves
For veterinary practices, reliance on locums can lead to operational challenges, including the need for recurrent training and adaptation to practice protocols and systems. The message suggests practices could mitigate some of these issues by creating comprehensive guidelines and possibly favouring repeat locum contracts to minimise disruptions and learning curves.
How does each party ensure that the practice/locum is right for them?
As a locum, learning about the practice will help. Try to contact previous employees to find out what it was like working there. Ask the practice basic questions, such as what computer system they use, what the basic consultation time is, whether there is an appointment system and how many vets and nurses there are in the practice. You can build a checklist of questions to use when contacting a practice.
As a veterinary practice, choosing the right locum is important to safeguard the practice. Careful interviewing of potential locums is very important. A checklist of questions for the locum is useful and should be designed to assess their character and ability.
Further, ask for previous employers and referees and make sure to follow them up. It is often revealing to contact a previous employer who has not been used as a referee.
Finally, it is important to check the locum’s registration with RCVS as there have been incidents of non-veterinary surgeons posing as vets.
Final thoughts
In summary, locum vetting will suit a certain character or personality and not all people fit into that group. Locums, in our opinion, should only be used to cover absenteeism, and building a relationship with a locum is a good policy. This will help the locum to fit into the veterinary team and cause fewer issues.
