What qualifications do I need to become a locum vet?
To become a vet, you’ll need to take a veterinary degree at university and it will have to be a course approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
It’s not an easy subject to get into and it takes a long time to complete a full-time veterinary degree – usually 5 to 6 years.
Because of this, and the fact that entry to courses is highly competitive, it has a very thorough selection process.
For example, most universities will carry out an interview with you beforehand and you’ll need to take screening tests.
You will also need to gain experience of working in a veterinary practice, handling a different range of animals, from small domestic pets to larger livestock.
To be able to work as a locum vet, it’s worth noting that most veterinary practices require you to have at least two years of experience.
Finding work as a locum vet
Many vets will decide to go down the self-employed route due to the fact that locum vets can generally charge more than those who are employed.
There’s also the fact that there’s more freedom and flexibility; being able to choose your own hours and days that you want to work, however, it’s important to be aware that as a locum vet, you can be called on at short notice.
Looking to specialist recruitment agencies is a great place to start for locum vet roles; a quick Google search will bring up numerous agencies in the UK for you to browse through.
Do I need insurance?
Taking out insurance is something that the majority of self-employed workers will need to consider, it’s just a case of working out what type you need, which will of course depend on what you do for a living.
As a locum vet, it is certainly worth considering Professional Indemnity insurance – this protects you against claims brought against you by clients who may have an issue with your work.
Read our What is Professional Indemnity Insurance? page for more information.
Do I need an accountant?
An accountant is an essential tool and a great asset to any business – not only will they help you to keep on top of your financial liabilities and deadlines, but they’ll also be able to provide you with useful financial advice that you might not have otherwise been aware of.
Just make sure to choose an accountant who:
- Specialises in contractor tax
- Has qualifications
- Has a good reputation
- Offers a fixed monthly amount so you avoid any surprise bills!
For more help and information on this, read our Choosing a Contractor Accountant page.
If you’d like to sign up or need any further information, please give us a call on 01442 795 100 or you can email sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com. There’s also the option to contact us via live chat.
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