🤫 Expert Secrets: 5 Essential Locum Relief Skills

Considering a move into locum relief work? Whether you’re a veterinarian, nurse, or technician, you already know your way around your regular practice. But locum life brings its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. We’ve reached out to some seasoned professionals in our Community, and they’ve shared their insights on 5 key skills that will help you thrive as a locum relief professional. Ready to expand your horizons and make a real impact? Let’s explore what it takes to succeed…

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Adaptability

The most important skill of them all is adaptability. Adaptability, by definition, means the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions. If there is a theme to life as a locum veterinary professional, it is just that, new conditions. As we all know, not every veterinary clinic or hospital is the same. Key differences include:

The layout – This seems like a no-brainer, but how often have you become used to where everything is and how you move around a space? You will need to be able to adjust to different exam rooms, different storage locations, different kennels, different surgery suites, etc. The layout of a clinic controls the workflow from the entry of clients and patients to your exam in the exam room or treatment area to the checkout and departure process. You must adapt to your surroundings.
Protocols – Not every clinic uses the same protocols. There is a wide variety of anesthetic drug options. You need to be familiar with the most common because not every clinic will have the same drugs in stock. How are emergencies handled? How is inpatient care handled? How do they treat late appointments? What are the recommended vaccine protocols (i.e., is drug X good for 6 months or 1 year)? Each clinic operates just a little bit differently, and there are basic (often unspoken) protocols each clinic operates by. You will have to adjust to each practice’s subtle nuances.
Available equipment/medications – There are numerous types of X-ray machines, dental-specific X-rays, dental cleaning instruments, available surgical tools, ultrasound, therapeutic laser, rehabilitation equipment, fluid pumps, etc. Some clinics pride themselves on stocking and utilizing the latest in medical technology, while others may be stuck a couple of years behind. This is also true of available medications, antibiotics, vaccine types, etc. It takes work to remember, “Oh yeah, this clinic doesn’t have dental radiographs,” or, “Oh, I can’t use that ear medication.” You wouldn’t want to recommend a product or service that practice is unable to provide.
Personnel – Support from all the staff has a huge impact on the workflow of a practice. Knowing if you have experienced registered veterinary technicians or doctors to collaborate with is important for proper adjustment to that given environment. Being able to adapt to clinics with more or fewer staff, staff with poor or high levels of experience, and even other veterinarians who work there is essential. There are situations where you may have to carry the majority of the load and others where you feel like part of a well-oiled machine.

These are just the primary areas where adaptability is important. As you can see, your ability to adapt to change is key to your success in any practice as a locum veterinarian, nurse or technician.

As a locum vet tech, I’ve learned that flexibility is your superpower. One day you’re in a state-of-the-art hospital, the next in a small rural clinic. Embrace the diversity – it’s what makes this job so exciting! – Sarah T., Veterinary Technician

Personability & Communication

Every veterinary professional loves animals. It’s why you chose to spend most of the hours of your life doing this. However, each animal you see is attached to a human being (sad as that may be for some of you). Not only that, but you must work with other human beings to accomplish your goal with that furry friend. Having solid communication skills and being a team player are key to working with others.

Your team is going to change with each clinic you work in. As we know, people who often work together develop a particular bond and communication style. As a locum, you don’t have much time to develop a similar bond or figure out how various people communicate. It doesn’t take long from the initial, “Hello, how are you?” to then completely invading each other’s personal space while attempting to examine that flailing Yorkie. You must have a general sense of good communication and approachability. Quickly building rapport is essential to earning the trust of these people you don’t see very often. Try:

Have a positive attitude – the veterinary clinic can be an emotionally challenging place, and approaching each situation with a positive attitude is always appreciated by those around you.
Connect on a personal level – you already know you all love pets, so ask your team-for-the-day about their pets at home, or a favorite breed, a favorite animal, or even the most difficult patient, and then provide a mildly embarrassing story of your own.
Listen – listen to how the people around you talk, what they focus on in the conversation, and what music they listen to. This allows you to better communicate on an individual level.
Be open – openly communicate and openly discuss out loud what you’re thinking. This gives those around you insight into who you are and helps them be a part of each process.

The other people you will interact with daily are the clients. Talented veterinary professionals are used to adjusting their approach for various personality types. However, as a locum relief team member, you are more likely to encounter clients who have worked with that particular veterinarian or nurse for quite some time. It’s not uncommon to constantly hear, “Well, Dr. So and So always does this,” or, “Dr. So and So never did that before,” or the best, “I’m going to call Dr. So and So just to be sure.” Because yes, some clients have their veterinarian’s number on speed dial. The ability to communicate with these clients and let them know, while you’re not Dr. or Tech So and So, you have their furry family member’s best interests in mind, are highly experienced, and are there to serve them is invaluable. You have to be personable enough to win them over, not by giving into their way of doing things, but by having them understand you’re ultimately here for them and their pet. In doing so, you ensure continued work from that practice.

In my years as a locum veterinary nurse, I’ve found that a warm smile and genuine interest in the team’s dynamics can open doors faster than any qualification. Remember, you’re not just treating animals; you’re building relationships. – Mark L., Veterinary Nurse

Organizational Skills

Traveling to various clinics, working with different teams, adjusting schedules, and ensuring you have all the required documentation takes some organization. We’ve all seen the stereotypical doctor’s desk strewn about with papers, lab work, and referral forms. For a locum to be truly successful, that won’t work out so well. You will need to travel with your documentation (license, controlled drug license, etc) and some of your own equipment; having it organized and ready to go is key. Every veterinarian or technician should have their own stethoscope but other equipment you may want to have handy include:

surgical instruments (just don’t forget to autoclave them when you arrive so they’re ready to go)
dental tools or special drill bits (if dentistry is your thing)
suture and bandage scissors (that are sharp)
an indirect ophthalmoscope lens
or anything else you just can’t live without when daily practicing medicine.

Additionally, you are ultimately working for yourself and running your own business. You need to keep track of time worked, contacts, pay schedules, tax forms, business expenses, etc. Staying organized keeps you on track and focused, allowing you to be more productive and saving a lot of headaches come tax season. Steps to help keep you organized include:

Finding a reliable accountant who understands the medical profession (many accountants are familiar with locum practitioners in the human field).
Install your preferred business software (such as Quickbooks)
Find a preferred organizational program such as ClickUp or Monday.com or Smartsheet (or any other of the numerous task management programs),

Remember, you are taking over someone else’s schedule and caseload. Mnay of the patients you see will require follow-up care. Being organized and taking detailed notes makes it so much easier for the veterinarian you’re covering for. They can come back knowing what was diagnosed, what was discussed with the client, and what the next steps or plan may be moving forward. All of this takes organizational skills. You must do more work than if you were to follow up with the patient yourself, requiring even better time management. Clinics are busy, and they can feel even busier when it’s not a practice you’re familiar with. Having the ability to manage that time wisely to provide proper notes but still get out on time is important for everyone.

I always say that my planner is my co-pilot. As a traveling veterinarian, staying organized isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about maintaining your sanity in a constantly changing environment. – Dr. Emily R., Veterinarian

Reliability

If the name of the game is filling in for someone while they’re out, or filling some holes in a schedule, then you’re going to have to be flexible and reliable. You are being asked to take over another professional’s job while they are away. If you show up late, call out at the last minute, or consistently turn down offers to come in, then why would they continue to offer you work? You need to be available and reliable to succeed. Sometimes this may mean picking up an undesirable shift around the holidays or helping a practice that is open later into the evenings. It’s important to build a good reputation with clinics in the area. If several clinics know you can be counted on to do a great job, then they are more inclined to mention you to others as well.

Not only must you be reliable in terms of your availability and punctuality, but you must also reliably deliver quality care. Consistency is key. Each time you come in working for a practice, think about what you would want from someone taking over your business or patients you have worked so hard to obtain. Then, reach a little further and think about what would make someone stand out in your mind as a trustworthy individual to leave your business with. If you can reliably deliver top-notch care for patients, have a teamwork mentality, and organized notes and business relations, then you can deliver true relief to veterinarians, nurses, or technicians as they step away for a bit. Knowing their business is in reliable hands is priceless and will guarantee you continued work.

Trust is the currency of relief work. When practices know they can count on you, not just to show up, but to deliver consistent, high-quality care, you become their go-to professional. – Alex K., DVM

Foundational Veterinary Skills

Last but perhaps most important, you must have confidence in your rock-solid foundational veterinary skills. Again, you will be working in different environments, with different people, and with different equipment/supplies at your disposal. This means you need to have a plethora of clinical knowledge in your head to properly care for each patient with the tools in your current environment. You need to feel confident in your abilities and show that confidence to the support staff and clients to properly gain their trust.

In particular, many locum veterinarians find themselves filling in for solo doctor practices. That’s often because, in multi-doctor practices, the other doctors can pick up the extra load for a few days. When you’re on your own, there’s no one to bounce ideas off, no one to discuss cases with, it’s all on you. Hopefully, you have the help of some experienced technicians, but that is never a guarantee. There are always textbooks and internet resources (such as VIN), but again that takes time. Are you confident enough to take on the congestive heart failure chihuahua, the hit-by-car, the renal failure cat, the DKA, etc? These situations may not be the most common, but you need to be confident and prepared to handle them on your own when they do arise. Specific to veterinarians, you need to have strong basic skills in:

Surgery- neuters, spays (are you ready if you drop a pedicle?), enucleation.
Internal medicine- insulin types, fluid rates, recommended diagnostic tests, etc.
Critical care (at least to triage)- rescue drugs, CPR, shock therapy, thoraco- or abdomino- centesis, etc.
Hematology and internal chemistry assessment
Radiograph interpretation

Confidence in your skillset goes a long way to impress the staff and clients. Once the original team member that you replaced returns, you will inevitably receive a “performance review” of sorts from the staff, and clients. You want them to be able to say you dealt with this and that without a moment’s pause and that even the most curmudgeonly clients appreciated your tact. You’ve become a veterinary professional, you have the work ethic and the skill, and just believing in it will take you that much further.

One more note about confidence in your medical skillset. If you find yourself working in a clinic that is not practicing a quality of medicine you are comfortable with, then do not be afraid to address this with the owner of that practice. If the owner is aware and happy with how things are, and you are not, finish off your shift commitment but be prepared to walk away from future work at that clinic. The likelihood of declining work hurting your reputation is much lower than others finding out about your work at a clinic with poor standards.

Never stop learning. In locum work, you’ll encounter a wide range of cases and equipment. Your ability to adapt your skills to each unique situation is what sets you apart. – Dr. James M., Veterinary Specialist

In conclusion…

There you have it – a comprehensive look at what it takes to thrive as a locum in the veterinary world. Whether you’re handling diagnoses, managing treatments, or ensuring smooth operations, these five skills are crucial for your success.

Locum work isn’t for everyone. Adaptability was at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to essential skills, as you’ll constantly encounter new environments, teams, and ways of doing things. But for those who enjoy variety and continuous learning, it can be an incredibly rewarding path.

Currently, the field is ripe with opportunities for locum veterinary professionals. The key to standing out is mastering these five areas. Show potential employers that you can adapt quickly, communicate effectively, stay organized, provide reliable service, and apply your veterinary skills confidently in any setting.

If you’re looking for a change of pace or want to broaden your professional experience, consider giving locum work a try. It’s a unique way to see the veterinary world from different perspectives and continually grow your skills. Who knows? You might find it’s the perfect fit for your career goals and work style long term as well as short term.

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