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To work as a locum, vets should have a minimum of 2 years’ experience, and preferably over 3 years for sole charge practices. Not only is locuming a great way to finance travel, it is also a good way to gain additional experience working with different people, in a wide variety of different conditions, and improve your veterinary skills.

In major cities, although there are more clinics in a smaller geographical area, there is usually more competition for locum work, therefore to be assured of a constant supply of work, locums should be willing to travel – and you can miss out on amazing experiences if you don’t consider travelling to work in more rural and regional areas. Country jobs will usually supply accommodation and maybe a vehicle for work and private use, however, city practices very rarely supply either accommodation or a vehicle.

Locum vacancies can range from a single shift to 5 or 6 months’ work, and include full time and part time hours. Locums help cover for temporary staffing shortages, illness, periods of leave and holidays, and parental leave. Jobs can be advertised up to 4 months in advance, however, they can also be listed at very short notice (next day). On average, locum jobs listed with Kookaburra Vet Employment are to start within 1-2 months.

Work

Most clinics require a locum with a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience who doesn’t require direction for most clinical judgments, but who will ask for help if it’s required or if they get out of their depth. Surgical experience is necessary – you must be able to do at least routine surgery including desexings in a timely manner (ie. not take too long).

It can be important to stick to clinic protocols, within a perceived duty of care. Clinics may see a high proportion of particular types of cases – eg ticks; snake bite; poisonings – ask the regular vet before they go away if there is a clinic protocol or for any tips on these type of cases.

Record keeping is extremely important – the locum may move on, but the clinic owner or regular vet then has to continue with ongoing care. Make sure that your handwriting is legible, and you use any computerised system to keep comprehensive clinical notes. Locums should try to fit in with existing staff and not rock the boat!

Make sure that you stick to practice pricing – please don’t undercharge just because you perceive the practice prices to be excessive.

Try not to put things off until the regular vet gets back.

Conduct

Practices expect a locum to be honest, punctual, friendly, polite, and able to take direction if required without taking offence. Derogatory, sexist, and discriminatory behaviour and comments are absolutely not acceptable.

If a work vehicle, or a vehicle for private use is supplied, it should be kept clean on the inside (if not the outside!), and driven with due care and attention. Establish the protocol for paying for petrol before commencing work.

If accommodation is supplied, it should be left clean and tidy. Talk to the employer about any use of private items or groceries if you are staying in their own house BEFORE you use anything, and establish whether you are expected to replace any items used.

CVs and References:

You should be prepared to send your CV to clinics when you apply for a vacancy. It should contain up to date information and be accurate, particularly with up to date contact information for you including a mobile number preferably with a message bank. Include contact details for recent referees, and email addresses, particularly if your referees are overseas.

Contract

Although practices and locums may not decide to formally enter into a contract, it is a good idea to set down terms of employment and working conditions in writing prior to the start of the locum period. Things to consider include:

• Pay rate;
• after hours remuneration;
• days off;
• overtime;
• normal hours of work;
• type of payment arrangement and when the vet is to be paid;
• type of employment (casual employee, contractor);
• Superannuation; GST;
• Travel Costs;
• Professional registration costs;
• Responsibility for keys – for the clinic and for scheduled drugs
• Accommodation and responsibilities of the locum with respect to the accommodation and use of facilities if applicable (eg phone, internet, food in the pantry);
• provision of vehicle for work – and private use – and fuel costs;
• any provision for short term cancellation of the locum period by either party.

This list is by no means exhaustive. Contact the AVA HR Hotline for more information – 1300 788977 or email avahrhotline@whr.com.au  (you need to be an AVA member (Australian Veterinary Association).

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

Although this article was written for new Veterinary Graduates, and first published in the Kookaburra Veterinary Employment new graduate job newsletter, the general points covered are equally applicable to experienced vets.

How To Apply

Initial contact depends on the job advert – if it asks for applications in writing then don’t phone up. If you are happy to chat on the phone, then this is a great way to find out more about a clinic. If you prefer to send your CV first then that is fine.

Include:

• your CV
• written reference/s if you have them,
• A cover letter.

You can email, post, or fax these. A cover letter should say why you’re sending your CV, and include for example:

• a little bit of information about what type of job you are looking for, what your interests are, aims, skill competencies, etc
• why you feel this one is suited to your particular skills
• what level of commitment you are offering eg. Practices are often hopeful that new graduates will stay longer than 12 months.
• Any other relevant info that isn’t included on your CV, for example, visa details for overseas graduates.

If the ad gives a phone number then phone the clinic first to find out if the job is still available, and to ask if you can send your details through.

Follow-up:

Follow-up is really important. Vet Clinics are busy places, and Vets are notoriously unorganised. Your CV may sit on, or even worse, at the bottom of a pile of papers waiting for a “paperwork day”. Don’t assume that just because you haven’t heard anything, they’re not interested. Kookaburra Veterinary Employment receives many calls from clinics where they have mistakenly deleted emails (or they’ve gone to spam), mislaid paperwork, and lost the bit of paper with a vital phone number and name.

1. Phone to make sure they received your CV/letter and to give them a voice to put to the paperwork.
2. If you haven’t heard anything, follow up again in 2 weeks. Don’t pester the clinic, but don’t leave it too long either. Even when a clinic says they’ll ring you, often they won’t!

Interview:

It’s important to have a face to face interview if possible. Not only does the clinic need to evaluate you, you need to evaluate the clinic – see whether it’s up to date, does it run smoothly, meet the vets and the nurses and see if you’ll be able to get on with them ok, do they allow enough time to meet you properly and show you around. It’s best to spend half a day, or even a full day at the clinic. If it’s a mixed practice, take your protective clothing along so you can go on calls if necessary.

Be on time and look smart!

You shouldn’t just have a ½ hour interview – the clinic may feel they are able to make a snap judgement about you in that time, but they may get a false impression, and you certainly can’t get a good impression of them in that time. If that is what they offer, ask if you can spend the rest of the day at the clinic anyway.

Many clinics will pay your accommodation and travel expenses if necessary for an interview, within Australia.

Practice your interview technique with your family and friends – don’t use clinics to get interview experience. Only accept interview opportunities if you are really serious about your job application.

Research:

Make sure you do some research about the clinic or company that you are applying for a job with. Look them up online; check out their website, opening hours, Facebook page, Instagram account. They’re probably going to be looking you up! Phone the clinic and chat to the receptionist or the vet nurse who answers the phone, or ask if you can contact any current employees, or the employee who is leaving. In addition, check out the local area if you’re anticipating relocating. Look up clubs, sports facilities, schools, recreational opportunities, & real estate.

Too many new graduates take a job, and then leave in under 12 months. You must make sure that it is the type of clinic that you would feel happy working in, and that you will get the support necessary to kick start your career.

• Talk to the vet, ask them about the clinic – the type and proportion of work they do, any special interests, find out the shift roster, what equipment they have, is there a range of clinic protocols, do they do in house pathology etc
• Talk to the nurses. Nurses are extremely important allies for recent grads. They often know more than you do about common problems and dealing with clients, and they are very familiar with clinic protocols. You need to be able to get on with the nurses and support staff.
• Will they be able to support you as a new graduate adequately? Graduates vary as to the amount of support they need – you may need hands-on supervision for some procedures and not for others; will you be able to talk to another vet at any time if you need advice? Are the nurses fully qualified? Do they have a structured support programme for new grads?
• Ask about the after-hours roster. In my first job, for the first month I didn’t have to do out of hours calls. Then, once I knew my way around, I was added to the roster, but with a 2nd vet to call if necessary. This is a very good way to ease you in gently and relieves your stress levels considerably (and those of the clients!).

Salary Expectations

At some point in your interview, you may be asked what your salary expectations are, or alternatively, it may be important for you to ask what the salary on offer is. Some employers may turn the question around and ask what you’re making now. If you don’t expect the question, you may have an awkward moment. Do as much research as you can so that you’re prepared. The Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2010 [MA000118] sets minimum hourly rates. New graduate salaries often stay close to the Award. Kookaburra Veterinary Employment’s 2019 Salary Survey is published at https://www.vetsuppliersdirectory.com.au/2019-salary-survey-results-part-1/

You could say something like “according to my research, my understanding is that $60-70K per year is typical based on the role and requirements” or if you want to delay answering, “I’m more interested in finding a position that’s a good fit for my skills and interests. Could we talk about salary once I’ve heard more about the job on offer?”.   Be honest; be realistic, and don’t sell yourself short. It’s also important to look beyond the Salary figure – look at any additional benefits such as training & bonuses. If you think you’re currently being underpaid, let them know what you’re being paid at the moment, but that you know from research that other vets are getting a certain amount at this level, and why you believe that you are worth it.

Getting a job offer:

If you are offered a job, you don’t have to accept immediately – it’s ok to let them know you have other interviews and wait to see what else you are offered. However, please keep the surgeries up to date with your plans and if you are going to turn them down, tell them so. It is not good practice to accept a job, and then continue to attend other interviews in the hope of getting a ‘better’ job – and then calling the first practice a week before you are due to start work to tell them that you won’t be turning up after all. Behaving in this way will hurt your future job prospects and your reputation.

If you accept a job, ask for a firm offer letter in writing to avoid misunderstandings. If a clinic won’t give you a firm offer or messes around, then don’t take the job! They probably wouldn’t be very good to work for.

You can also request a contract or similar document stating your conditions of work.

A General Note of advice:

Don’t restrict your search to your local home area – be prepared to travel. Although new grads do need a lot of support, sometimes it can be better to move right away from home so that you can concentrate on settling in to your new job, getting to know the people you work with, joining in local activities etc.

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

A Résumé, or CV (Curriculum Vitae), is vitally important to make a good first impression, and secure an interview.

It should be:

• Easy to read
• Include all relevant information
• Accurate

An employer wants to know your name and contact details, what level of experience and qualifications you have and what additional skills you can bring to the practice to make you a valuable employee.

How to lay out a CV

Your CV should be easy to read so that a potential employer can quickly find the information they are looking for.

• Use clear headings
• Line things up! – use tabs
• Use bullet points or numbered lists
• Use a standard format throughout your CV – make it match
• When listing things in date order, put the most recent first
• Use a clear font – don’t use a handwriting or ‘fun’ font
• Don’t use a large font – 10 or 11 is fine
• Optimum 2 to 3 pages long
• Do a Spell Check and a Grammar Check!

You can use a Résumé Template to give you a hand, but make sure you delete any irrelevant information.

Major Headings

1. Contact Information and Personal Details
2. Qualifications/Education
3. Skills / Personal Statement
4. Previous Employment
5. Undergraduate Work Experience
6. Undergraduate or Non-Veterinary Employment
7. Continuing Education
8. Personal Interests
9. References
10. Additional Sections
11. Photograph
12. Once you’ve written your CV, DO A SPELL CHECK!

1.      Contact Information and Personal Details

Include your full name, address, contact telephone number and email address. If your Visa status or Nationality will have a bearing on your suitability for work (eg overseas qualified vets) you can include it here.

2.      Qualifications/Education

Don’t include too much detail. List the most recent first ( reverse date order). New grads can include school details but for vets qualified several years it isn’t necessary.

3.      Skills or Personal Statement

Use this section to list your skills and competencies, veterinary interests, and career aspirations. Sell yourself!

4.      Previous Veterinary Employment

List previous veterinary employment with the most recent first ( reverse date order). Make it easy to read and to see dates. If there are any dates where you were travelling for example, or took a ‘career break’ for any other reason, include those details too. Do elaborate (briefly) on your actual duties and any specific skills acquired.

If you have been graduated for a long time and worked at many clinics, only give additional details for the most recent.

If you have locumed for a while, you don’t need to list all your locum jobs – just give a brief summary.

5.      Undergraduate Work Experience

This only applies to new graduates, and is extremely important. List the most recent first. List the clinics that you have seen practice at, and for how long. Describe the clinic, and give a brief description of the skills that you learnt while there.

6.      Undergraduate or Non-Veterinary Employment

It’s only worth including this if you’re a new grad, or if the type of work you have done is particularly relevant to the veterinary jobs you are now applying for.

7.      Continuing Education

This section is extremely important, and becoming more so as the various Vet Boards start to enforce a requirement to complete a set amount of continuing education each year. Put the most recent first.

8.      Personal Interests

Yes, this is important! Vets need to be well balanced individuals to cope with the stresses of their work life.

9.      References

If you have a written reference, attach it to your CV. Please include full contact details for your referees – nothing is more annoying than having to look them up!

It can be difficult for new graduates to get references, however, it is worth asking the practice principal where you have had most work experience to write you a reference, or be listed as a referee.

10.      Additional Sections

In addition to the basics, you may want to include more information. Put extra info between the Continuing Education, and Personal Interests sections. Examples could include professional memberships & subscriptions, and additional useful skills, including technical/computer skills, languages, community activities, volunteer experience, Awards received.

11.      Photograph

It’s a hard question, whether or not to include a photograph of yourself on your CV. Generally, if you’d like to include a photo, just use a regular passport style photo.

And Finally – DO ANOTHER SPELL CHECK!

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

There is a lot of competition between clinics to fill practice vacancies for vets and vet nurses at the moment. These are Paula’s Ten Top Tips to consider when advertising:

1. Boost your extramural studies program: you may pick up a new graduate vet;
2. Have a strong vet nurse team: boosting the role of your nurses makes your practice more attractive to potential applicants;
3. Reply promptly to applicants: communicate in a timely manner;
4. Sort out your social media: applicants are looking for practices with a strong online presence;
5. Put your team online: pictures of your happy, sociable team can play a role in attracting applicants;
6. Give everyone a lunch break: this will impact on your team’s work/life balance and outlook on their job;
7. Undertake regular social activities: encourage your team to be socially engaged with each other and their community;
8. Promote your location: applicants are looking for somewhere they can settle so provide them with reasons why for your area;
9. Talk openly about the full benefits package: advertise your salary range on offer; and
10. Pictures of equipment are to be avoided: this is unlikely to attract applicants as most practices use similar equipment.

My current rule of thumb is to take the emphasis in the ad off what you want from your new employee and instead put it on what you are offering.

Author:

Paula Strong
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.