With an ever-increasing demand for veterinary professionals, there has never been a better time to take control and create the ideal work:life balance perfectly arranged to suit your everyday needs by becoming a locum worker.
The ways of working for a locum comes with a list of beneficial factors, as well as a couple of things that may be worth taking some time to consider.
Explore the many jobs available on a locum and permanent basis on the GVC website.
Benefits of Locum Work
Take Control of Your Working Hours & Pay
Whether it’s the school run, a GP appointment or just a morning needed at home, the luxury of becoming a locum worker means you can have control over the hours you want to work. What’s more is you’ll be able to have a say in your hourly or daily rate!
Expand Your Network
Working while travelling across the globe means your networking possibilities will be endless.
Going from practice to practice in a number of different countries will expose you to a whole host of professionals who all have their own tips, tricks and stories ready to be exchanged along your travels.
Additionally, by working at a number of practices alongside a variety colleagues will help significantly when deciding on the perfect role for you in the future.
Maintain Your Work:Life Balance
Due to the nature of the style of work you’ll be doing, how you decide to split your work:life balance is entirely up to you.
Whether you wish to book in back-to-back days and spend the majority of your time within the clinic working, or book in appointments every few days so you have more time for your personal lifestyle, working as a locum will enable you to make those decisions for yourself.
A dream, right?
Things To Consider
First Day Jitters
If you’re someone who finds themselves feeling an overwhelming sense of nerves on your first day, then you may want to consider this prior to going locum.
The nature of the role entails multiple first days, and so with this, you’ll need to consider if this is something that you will want to endure on constant basis.
No Holiday Pay or Sick Leave
Considering a plan for your finances prior to booking any shifts will benefit you significantly in the future as it will allow you to factor in any holidays, time off or if a drop in bookings occur.
As well, if you find yourself becoming unwell and unable to work, you’ll need to recognise you’ll be missing out on money, so it may be worthwhile looking into an income protection plan to ensure you’re covered if for any reason you may be out of work for an extended period of time.
Lack of Continuity
Due to the nature of locum work, a definite lack of continuity of care is often evident, especially if you do single days rather than blocks of work.
Client relationships, patient outcomes and follow ups may be restricted as a result, so if cases tend to play on your mind and you need resolution to feel at peace, you might struggle with this aspect of being a locum.
…and finally
While some people relish in the exciting unpredictability of locum work, there are others who may find it daunting.
We would advise considering all aspects of locum versus permanent work within the veterinary industry before making any decisions.
Our team of uniquely trained recruitment specialists have an abundance of knowledge and advice to assist you in your decision making and dream role journey.
Hear more from Steph & Scott, our Recruitment Specialists, in our most recent video below.
