Accepting Positions
Always speak to the practice directly when accepting a position.
Some questions that you may want to ask:
Veterinary surgeons and nurses:
- What type of practice is this mainly? Small animal, equine, mixed, farm animal etc.
- What is the duration of the work ie: when is the start date and when is the finish date?
- What are the hours? (A day may be 8 hours for some practices and 14 hours for others - check what time you start and what time you are expected to officially finish.)
- Are you expected to do any after hours work (on call)?
- If there are after hours
- ask if the vet nurse/vet will be taking the calls directly.
- will there be a vet nurse readily available to assist?
- ask about accommodation if needed for these nights
- Ask about security offered if alone in the practice at nights - alarm systems etc…
- Will you be expected to attend to in-patients at night and how often?
- What will your duties be, e.g. mainly surgical/consulting, or both? As a nurse, will it be mainly reception, ordering, theatre or kennels, or generally everything?
- How many staff are there? Vets, nurses, receptionists, kennel help etc
- How many qualified nurses are there and will they be available when you work as a vet/nurse? As a nurse, will you be expected to participate in training unqualified staff?
- As a vet, you may want to ask what equipment is available, e.g. what dental equipment does the practice use? What anaesthetics do they use? Etc…
- Find out about practice protocols and policies. Telling clients the same as what the permanent staff does helps to maintain professionalism and continuity.
- vaccination protocols
- worming protocols
- neutering policy
- after hour care
- prescription policy
- insurance policy - direct claim policy.
- Is accommodation available? Are pets allowed?
- Is a vehicle available for work purposes?
It is always a good idea to put in writing what you have agreed with the practice. Confirm the start and finish date, hours of work and rate of pay agreed. You may want to include other issues you discussed too. This way there can be no dispute from either side.
