This article is part 3 of the series: Becoming a Locum Vet in the UK. Find the whole series here.
As a locum vet or vet nurse, you quickly learn that no two veterinary practices are quite the same. Even those with the same owners, facilities and equipment can run in a markedly different fashion- believe me, I’ve seen it!
The difficulty is; how do you, as a professional veterinary locum, offer a consistently high standard of care everywhere you go when each new practice has its own personality, facilities and equipment?
For me, I try to tackle this problem in two ways- firstly, by being prepared with the information I need to tackle any case that I might see, and secondly, by displaying confidence and professionalism in the way that I present myself. To be honest, I always feel flustered and a little overwhelmed for the first few days in any clinic, but if I can project an air of confidence and approach-ability, both the clients and my colleagues will learn to trust me, and I’ll fit in just that bit quicker.
So, here’s my list of essential and useful items that I take with me each day as a small animal locum vet in the UK. The Essential Items are things that I take with me EVERY day as a locum, while the Useful Items are those that come in very handy, but (depending on the practice) aren’t always quite as vital.
Essentials Items for Locums
Professional Name Badge
This is essential for making a good impression on both your new team-mate and your clients. Because lets be honest, a lot of people find names tough to remember! And the easier it is for your colleagues to remember your name, the sooner it is that they’ll start including you in the morning tea run.
The badge should also state your job title, meaning no one will get you mixed up with the new vet student (which is real a risk when you’re a woman in your 20s).
And finally, a name badge makes you look like you’re prepared and that you’ve done this before, which is an important part of projecting confidence and building trust.
You can order custom name badges online for less than $15, so you have no excuse not to get on this.
Veterinary Resources
No vet is an island, and even 4 years post graduation, I see at least one new case each week that I have never come across before (this week, its myasthenia gravis!). And when you move to different clinics, treating different demographics of clients, chances are you’ll see more unusual cases than in a normal full-time job.
But as a locum, you have to be prepared not to have access to a senior vet or close-knit colleague to run those unusual cases by. In fact, your practice may not even have textbooks, or wifi for internet access!
So, prepare for the worst-case scenario, and make sure you have guaranteed access to the resources you might need to work up difficult cases, or perform new procedures. For me, this means having a digital copy of a formulary, small animal medicine and surgical textbook on my phone and tablet, that can be accessed quickly if needed.
I also have a list of my favourite websites where I know I can go for further info on strange cases, I subscribe to the VIN forums, and I share a whatsapp group with a small brains trust of uni friends who I know will support me if I get stumped on something.
Being a locum doesn’t mean that you have to know everything (nobody does)! Provided you have the skills and resources at your fingertips to find out what you don’t know, you’ll get by just fine.
Professional Uniform
Every clinic is a little different with their dress code- some vets wear scrubs, some wear ties, and some clinics don’t allow you to wear any sleeves at all. Some clinics will provide you with a uniform to wear in their clinics, and some will make you get changed into a fresh outfit when you arrive at work each morning.
The best way to handle this is directly asking your future manager what they would prefer you to wear to your first day, and if there are any dress codes that you should be aware of.
So what should you wear if there are no rules in place?
Personally, I prefer to wear dark work trousers, a neat elbow-length cotton shirt and a fitted scrub top as the top layer. Some vets prefer to wear an ironed shirt, but I find I just end up ruining these, or having to take it off if I need to do surgery. I always tie my hair back and ensure that I look neat.
Then once you arrive, scope out the style of clothing of the other vets, and aim to copy their dress code from there.
A note for the non-UK vet: When purchasing scrubs tops for vet work, note that green scrubs are usually associated with RVNs (Registered Vet Nurses). To avoid confusion while your colleagues get to know you, I recommend you purchase a few scrub sets in blue, navy or grey- these colours are more commonly associated with vets.
Footwear
Again, this is practice dependant, and you’re best to check with your employer before you start.
Many practices now require you to bring dedicated practice shoes, to change into when you arrive or for surgery. Make sure you bring shoes that are at the very least enclosed and clean.
I usually wear wipable fake leather shoes as my consulting shoes, and clean trainers as my surgical shoes (to go with my navy scrubs).
Lunch
Seriously, bring snacks. You never know what they day will throw at you, and it only takes one emergency to turn your hour-long lunch break into a 3 minute snack while pouring over a textbook.
Even if you plan to buy your lunch out, bring muesli bars or fruit to give you a boost just in-case you need it. We all know there’s no guarantees of a break on this job!
Other Useful Items
Notebook and Pens
I have a scrub-pocket sized note book that I carry with me at all times while consulting. The first few pages contain my preferred sedation and anaesthetic protocols, the next have my emergency doses of anti-seizure and cardiac arrest medication, and the page after lists the dose rates of all my most used drugs.
This book saves me a lot of time and stress, and means that if an emergency comes in, I’ve got the info I need at my fingertips. It can also write notes on specific cases when I need to, and even pull out a page to jot down a website address or instructions for a client if I need to during a conversation. For me, its a huge timesaver, and it beats keeping notes on a phone because its much less professional to pull out in front of a client.
Also, pens. No practice ever has enough pens. Its a universal fact. Be prepared, bring your own.
Fob watch
Some practices don’t allow phones at all, and don’t let staff wear watches. Unless there are a lot of clocks about, consider a fob watch (with a second hand) so you’ll never get caught out taking a patient’s heart rate.
Professional Name Stamp
A massive time-saver when signing off vaccination cards and official documents, and it makes you look like you know what you’re doing.
Plus, there is something so satisfying about stamping your name and letters onto things, like the total pro you are.
These can be ordered online, again for under $20. Make sure you grab a self-inking one!
Stethoscope
This should be provided by the clinic, but there is nothing worse (and less professional) than running late for consults because you’re sprinting through the hallways searching for a stethoscope. Some clinics also have different models of stethoscopes that I don’t really know how to use, and I don’t want to be trying to figure out where the volume button is on a fancy stethoscope in front of a client. Bring one with you in your bag, so you can bring it out if your clinic is a little stethoscope deficient.
Spare Scrub Top
Always keep one in your bag or car. Because you can never predict which bodily fluid will be squirted onto your shirt next.
Dosimetry Badge
So this is a legal requirement in the UK and must be used whenever you are around x-rays. If you work for the same practice for a number of months, they’ll usually order you in one themselves, but at the end of the day its your responsibility to order one, wear one, and send it for its quarterly readings.
Protect those gonads, and purchase one for less than $10 annually at Jak Marketing.
Transport
Unless you live in the inner suburbs of one of the major centres, you will likely need your own transport as a locum. While some practices will provide a work vehicle, its likely to only be lent to you for work, not for getting to the practice in the first place. Make sure you’re prepared.
Starting out as a locum can be a daunting undertaking, but being prepared with these essential items will help you to offer a professional service to your clinic from your very first shift.
Further Information
If you’re serious about becoming a veterinary locum in the UK, check out the first article in this series to figure out whether you’d be better off as an umbrella or limited company.
Want to know my approach to finding work as a locum? I outline all the steps I’ve taken in my article Finding Permanent and Locum Veterinary Work in the UK– and its not failed yet!
Leave a Reply