Part 3 of Rig Guide to Locuming
Posted on Tuesday, October 02 @ 19:27:36 BST by jenvetadmin
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Know and be part of the team don’t upset the support staff: they can help you a lot or
make your stay a misery.
When asking for help, remember
that you aren’t sure who usually does what, you might
be asking them to do something that is either beyond
their competence (taking a blood sample) or
beneath their dignity (fetching a mop).
Don’t rely on
the colour of dress to identify who is a qualified VN
and who is not, ask “are you the right person to ask
to do this?” If you have a gap in your work, ask if there
is anything else that you could be doing rather than just
heading off to the staff room with a magazine.
Don’t make
them have to come and find you if there are repeat
prescriptions to be authorised or an in-patient to check. Be a tidy worker, be willing to
clean up your own spills and puddles, make your own coffee and wash the mug
afterwards!
Try to cultivate a cheerful persona: they don’t know you and don’t want to
hear your troubles.
Case continuity:
Case continuity is always an issue when you are in a practice on a temporary basis. With
ongoing cases you have only a short time to try to assimilate the history and make
sensible decisions about continuing treatment.
If in doubt, make no changes. With really
complex cases, if another vet who has seen it before is in the building, it might be worth
asking if they want to see it instead of you, emphasising that this is in the interests of case
continuity and client care, not to get you out of a tricky job; but don’t do this too often
as it can look as if you are struggling to cope.
You will need to make far more copious
case notes as a locum than you would as a permanent member of staff. Without taking
this to excess, you need to convey an idea of how your mind was working and what you
told the client about how the case was likely to proceed.
The next vet to see the animal
won’t be familiar with your usual methods and you won’t be there to ask.Take
responsibility for the promises that you make to clients:
If you tell someone that the boss
will ring them on Monday when he gets back, make sure he knows that.
If you book an
animal in for an advanced surgical procedure to be done after you have left, make sure
that the boss knows about it, so they can tell the client in advance if this is something
that the practice would rather refer.
If you promise to find out some information for a
client about their pet’s condition make sure you do so, even if it means staying late on
your last day.
Leaving disgruntled clients for the regular staff to sort out after you have
gone home is not a good way to be asked back.
How to be asked back:
Follow practice policy, even if you don’t agree with it.
Never criticise the practice, the diagnosis or the treatment in
front of the client
.
Maintain practice turnover.
Never give freebies or discounts.
Don’t upset the support staff.
Leave the practice at least as clean and tidy as you found it.
Take responsibility for the promises that you make to clients.
Good luck!
Cartoons by www.tonystoons.co.uk
And don’t forget, we’re here to help you.
So if you have any queries, give us a call on 01392 332858,
or e-mail us on info@rigvets.co.uk
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