The Locum Loop- Shifts, tips and platform news for vets, nurses and reception professionals

July 2026

Locum smarter, not harder: 8 tips worth stealing

1. Do your homework on the clinic before you walk in

Spend ten minutes on the clinic's website and socials before your shift. Learn a few names and faces, and work out who the team leads are, both vet and nurse. You will still need proper introductions, but it takes the edge off trying to remember everyone's names and faces on your first day. Calling people by name early on will win you respect faster than almost anything else you do.

2. Confirm everything before you arrive

Start and finish times, rate, dress code, parking and clinic access, who you report to, and which software the clinic runs (ezyVet, RxWorks, SmartFlow or whatever system the clinic uses.). If it is a system you have not used, 20 minutes with online tutorials beforehand means you spend the day treating patients, not fighting the computer.

3. Arrive early and be proactive

Ten to 15 minutes early gives you time to meet the team, get your logins, learn the layout and review the day's bookings. Find the crash cart and the controlled drug safe before you need them. Clinic managers notice locums who take initiative and slot straight in.

4. Get clear on who does what

Every clinic divides responsibilities differently. Some have highly experienced nurses running consults, monitoring anaesthetics and managing dentals; others require vets to be more hands-on. Clarify early what you are personally responsible for, what the nurses can support with, how cases are handed over and who to escalate to. Five minutes of clarity keeps the workflow moving and the patients safe.

5. Ask questions, do not guess

Treatment protocols, referral preferences, after-hours procedures, escalation pathways for emergencies. Every clinic has its own way, and asking shows professionalism, not inexperience. Know your limits, flag them honestly, and the team will trust you more for it.

6. Stay gloriously out of clinic politics

One of the great luxuries of locum life is that the drama is not your drama. Be warm, be helpful, stay flexible when the day gets busy, and keep your opinions on internal matters to yourself. Clinics rebook the locums who are easy to work with and positive under pressure.

7. Build a locum go-bag and never unpack it

Your stethoscope, a notebook, spare scrubs, snacks, water, and copies of your registration and insurance details. When your workplace changes weekly, your kit is the one thing that stays consistent. Pack it once, restock it after every shift.

8. Leave like someone they want back

Finish your clinical notes or tasks thoroughly, hand over cases clearly to the next vet or team member, and before you walk out, thank all staff including the nurses, the reception team and the clinic manager by name. It is the single cheapest way to guarantee a rebooking, and a great first shift often turns into a long-term relationship

Locum money matters: track it now, thank yourself next July

Working under an ABN means you are effectively running a small business, and good records make everything easier. Keep track of your shifts, clinic names and locations, invoices sent and payments received, and invoice promptly with your ABN, bank details and, where required, your super details.

Through the year, hold onto records of your work-related costs: travel between clinics (kilometres, fuel, flights, parking and tolls), accommodation when working away from home, CPD and conferences, registration fees, professional memberships and indemnity insurance, equipment, and uniforms or protective clothing. Exactly what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so have the conversation with a good accountant. Ten minutes of admin a week saves hours at tax time.

COMING SOON TO THE PLATFORM We are building. Here is what is landing over the coming weeks: More clinics, more shifts New clinics are joining across Australia and New Zealand every week, which means more shifts in more locations to choose from. New platform features Smarter shift matching, streamlined profiles and easier credential uploads are on the way, so you can go from browsing to booked in fewer clicks. A smoother booking experience We are refining how shifts are posted, confirmed and communicated, so there is less back and forth and more certainty for everyone. Keep your profile up to date and check in for new Shifts on the platform.

FEATURED SHIFTS URGENT: [Small Animal GP Vet, Central Coast NSW- 1.5hr South of Sydney- Accommodation provided] Dates flexible. GP Clinic- Supported role to cover a Locum who has pulled out for medical reasons last minute. Experienced nursing team, no after hours. Looking for between 2-5 weeks cover. [GP Locum Nurse, Eltham VIC- Busy small animal accredited hospital] 7th August- 21st August $35-$45 per hour Shifts needed to cover A/L- combination of Surgery, Roving & Reception shifts. OpenVPMS Log in to Shift & Paws to view and apply or email Lauren directly: hello@shiftandpaws.com.au

One last thing: good people bring good people. If you know a clinic, or a fellow vet, nurse or reception professional who might be interested in locum or flexible work, now or down the track, share Shift & Paws with them. We're just getting started, and we'd love to have you along for the journey.

And come say hi on socials. We share new shifts, platform news and updates as we grow, and every like, follow and share genuinely helps us reach more great clinics and professionals. Snap a photo on your next shift and tag us with #shiftandpaws or @shiftandpaws.

We would love to see where locum life takes you.

That is it from us. Keep being brilliant out there, and if there is anything we can do to make locum life easier reach out: hello@shiftandpaws.com.au

Lauren and the Shift & Paws team

Shift & Paws |  Good Clinics- Good People