Accommodation and vehicles
Accommodation
Should you specifically require accommodation, please mention this to your agency or to the practice directly.Some locum positions will offer accommodation, whilst others not. Accommodation will either be above the practice or away from the practice in a separate house,flat or bed and breakfast .
Accommodation can vary from the very basic with minimum equipment and facilities, to very well equipped and even luxurious abodes.
A few basics to take into consideration:
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Always do an inventory check of the accommodation with the practice owner/manager before moving in.
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Make sure everything is in working order in front of the practice owner/manager.
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Make sure you have been given keys to get in and out, and alarm codes if needed.
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Travelling with animals- first make sure this is allowed before moving in.
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Check when is convenient to move in and when you will have to be out.
Generally accommodation should have the following:
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Basic food making and eating equipment, a stove/microwave, kettle, plates,cups and cutlery.
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Sleeping facilities should be clean and usable- a bed, clean bed linen and preferably bedding ( check with the practice if you need to bring your own bedding though)
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Bathroom facilities should be available and in working order -shower/bath, toilet and wash basin,
Note: accommodation should be left as found: clean, tidy and in working order.
Vehicles
Whether using the practices vehicle or your own for work related purposes, make sure you are insured for transporting animals, and placed under the practices insurance if using their vehicle. Some insurances will require a UK drivers licence- make sure yours is compatible or find out if you need to convert a foreign drivers licence to a UK one if arriving from outside of the UK .
see: www.dvla.gov.uk for further information on drivers licences in the UK.
Using practice vehicles:
Some locum positions will offer the use of a practice vehicle. This is usually just for business purposes, such as travelling to and from work should you be living away from the practice at practice accommodation, and for work related activities: house visits, etc.. Some owners/managers will allow minimal personal usage, but this should be discussed before using the vehicle for such use.
Remember, the use of the vehicle is restricted to the length of your locum, so make sure you have alternative transport before and after.
Using your own vehicle:
If accepting a position and you already own your own vehicle, clarify with the practice what you are and are not willing to use your personal vehicle for. You are under no obligation to use your personal vehicle at your own expense and inconvenience, to assist practice business if you choose not to.
If you are happy to use your own vehicle for work related activities, a mileage charge can be added to your invioce. For further information regarding milage fees see the AA website or the HMRC websites for further details.
Inform the practice that you will be charging milage and vehicle usage costs prior to accepting a position to avoid any unpleasantness.
Should you be undertaking dirty work with your own vehicle for work-practice related business, inform the practice before hand should you wish to charge a valeting fee/damages fee. Once again, you are under no obligation to use your own personal vehicle for the ambulance duties of any practice.Make sure you clarify this and that they provide you with alternatives, such as contacts for local pet ambulance services etc.
Alternatives to using a vehicle for getting to anf from practices may include public transport of course, however, this may restrict your personal ability to 'get around', all depending on where you are.
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