Being a locum veterinary surgeon or nurse can give you the freedom to achieve your work / life balance goals.

There are many reasons for becoming a locum: in between jobs, wanting to intersperse work with travelling both in the UK and abroad or just wanting the extra income.  It also provides the opportunity to experience different veterinary practices and protocols; not forgetting the financial advantages – a professional locum veterinary surgeon could be earning substantially more than their permanent counterpart.

The decision to become a locum requires some consideration be given to payment:-

• Self-employed: many veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses work on a self-employed basis. However, bear in mind that a lot of practices (in particular, corporate veterinary practices) no longer process payments to self-employed locums due to changes in Agency Workers Regulations (AWR). See gov.uk/agency-workers-your-rights for more information
• LTD company: Ltd companies can offer greater financial protection and bigger tax breaks (more items can be offset against the business); this is particularly good for professional locums
• UMBRELLA company: these are financial third-party companies that provide a full financial service ensuring Tax and National Insurance contributions are deducted before payment is made to the locum, for a small fee

For more information on the above options – please call on 01280 706679.

Many locum positions temporarily replace one of the practices permanent vets or nurses and as such the practice is covered by the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) insurance for any liabilities incurred by the locum.  However, a practice VDS Policy does not provide cover against any civil liabilities or legal representation costs in respect of criminal proceedings or complaints made to the RCVS in respect of veterinary work undertaken on behalf of the practice.

We advise all locums to have their own VDS cover.

Respect the protocols and processes of the practices you work in.

It goes without saying that the client and patient should always be treated with respect and care alongside all colleagues.

Finally, it costs nothing to register with us.  All fees are negotiated with the practices, and all Vets2GO requires from you is a current CV, a completed skills matrix and references – what have you got to lose?