Frequently Asked Questions
by Relief Veterinarians

How do I Search for work and Bid on Jobs?

Once you've created an account, jobs will appear based on your licensing state(s) and web preferences. Follow the steps listed below or check-out this graphic tutorial.

Browse Jobs from your account homepage using The Relief Jobs Map. Zoom into your location, search your zip code, or even with a date range filter. Under The Relief Job Map you will find a link to a list of Incentive Jobs (urgently needed relief dates that are offering more than the going rate).
Go to Jobs on the menubar, then Browse Relief Jobs or Search Relief Jobs.
For more details click on one of the Map points or from the browse the Available Jobs list then click on a job's date.
Lastly, view Permanent Jobs and Sponsored Permanent Jobs for part time, full time, and associate positions.
To Create a Bid scroll down and Check Boxes to indicate your availability.
Click Continue Bid.
Enter your Fee then select daily, hourly, total, or other.
Enter any questions or prerequisites in the comment section of the bid form.
Click Submit Bid.
The hospital's reply to your bid will be posted to a bid memo online and a copy emailed to you as well.

How to Respond to a Hospital's reply, check-out this graphic.

Why are the names of the hospitals and their addresses not displayed?

We protect the specific identity and location of hospitals for two primary reasons: Privacy and Platform Security.

Many of our hospital members have requested that their name and address not be publicly visible. We honor this request to protect their privacy and prevent unsolicited contact.

Once a veterinarian logs in and formally expresses interest in a job (by placing a bid), the full hospital name and address are made visible to them. This ensures that sensitive information is shared between the professional and the practice.

Our platform is designed to be secure for both veterinarians and hospitals. It is essential then to manage at least the initial connection through the web site between the veterinarian and the hospital.

Secure Transactions: By keeping the initial inquiries as well as any of the ensuing negotiations between the veterinarian and the hospital within VetRelief.com's platform, we ensure that all interactions are secure and documented.

Preventing Circumvention: This policy ensures that all users benefit from our platform which are outlined in our Terms of Service.

Data Security: VetRelief.com's access only platform adds a layer of security, protecting our members' business information from being scraped or breached by unauthorized parties.

What are the relief veterinarian's obligations to VetRelief.com when additional work or employment is offered from a referred hospital?

Your main obligation is to inform and updated VetRelief.com when you schedule additional work at a hospital where we referred you. As a courtesy we will email you a reminder each month.
Learn more: Our Agreement.

Am I restricted from accepting relief work or employment independently from VetRelief.com?

No. You are encouraged to make a great impression and be asked to return to work additional dates. We just ask that you keep us in the loop by providing your specific work dates. Email us, log in and post your dates, or text us your dates any time you book or at the end of the month. Note that our user agreement only restricts you from acting as an online 'referral service' or 'employment agency' where you might compete against VetRelief.com by providing veterinarians other than yourself to veterinary facilities.
Learn more: Our Agreement.

My surgical skills are limited. Is it appropriate to submit a bid for employment at a hospital?

Yes. In general bids are always welcomed! Include a note in the comment section of your bid form indicating your limitations or asking any questions you may have.

My bid was accepted by a hospital. Should I confirm it by email or go to the web site to confirm?

Either way is fine. We prefer that you confirm via the web site whenever possible, but you can always text or email us. Please note: When a hospital accepts your bid date(s), that date is removed from the job post so other candidates apply. Please provide timely acknowledgment that you acknowledge the hospital's confimation and you will honor the commitment. You may login and click Confirm this Agreement or post a memo a write a response.

If I find that I don't like the hospital may I remove myself from other relief work dates?

The answer is complicated and beyond the scope of these faqs. In most circumstances, No, or at least not immediately. Give VetRelief.com staff a chance to unwind you from your upcoming work dates by letting us know well ahead of your next work dates. We will try to find someone qualified to replace you. Once we find another doctor and if you have not resolved your diferences with the hospital then we will let them know that someone else is willing to work as a replacement. If you simply remove yourself from confirmed dates you may be liable for breach of contract if your employment relationship was not 'at will'.

If my bid has been accepted can the hospital cancel me after the first work day?

The answer is complicated and beyond the scope of these faqs. Cancelations are handled on a case by case basis. Try not to take it personal and work together if their issues are reconcilable. However that may not always be possible. Please contact us.

Can I withdrawn my bid for relief work before the hospital replies?

Yes, and you may even bid on other jobs. When one of your bids is accepted though, any conflicting bid dates will be withdrawn. If you are in talks with multiple hospitals who want you to work on the same date, the decision will be up to you. We are here to support and negotiate on your behalf.

How much should a relief veterinarian charge? How do I determine what to charge a hospital for relief work?

To derive a reasonable introductory fee consider your interpersonal skills, your income generation abilities, medical and surgical experience, and your professional demeanor. Hospitals located in metropolitan areas pay more than those in rural zones but usually expect a doctor to generate more income. You should also consider whether the relief work is during peak relief season such as holidays, summer, or during a major veterinary conference. Please get in touch with mitch@vetrelief.com for some further insights into your specific area and area of experise.

I bid for relief work but have not received a reply. How do you know if the job has already been covered? Who informs me if my bid is not accepted?

VetRelief.com will follow-up with the hospital every 48 hours and notify you of our progress and the outcome of your bid. In the meantime you are eiligible to bid on other jobs. You are not required to wait for a reply based solely upon creating a bid. Please let us know if this is not clear or you have additional questions related to this topic

Once a bid has been accepted can the hospital change the schedule?

Yes, and so can you. However when the schedule is changed, negotiations are re-opened. You are no longer bound to the original agreement and schedule. When you and the hospital accept the newer changes then a newer agreement is in effect.

Advice when searching for relief work away from home?

Our recommendations for traveling vets: Start placing bids well ahead of time. Introduce yourself in the bid comments, let the hospital know that you'll be traveling or commuting and how it reflects on your fee or bid conditions. Alert the hospital that your bid is conditioned upon you successfully scheduling a critical number of work dates. Finally new jobs are constantly being posted to the web site. You may still bid on newer jobs that compliment your confirmed itinerary of scheduled work and travel dates.

What can VetRelief offer me?

Access to relief work or casual employment that may compliment your Life-Style.
Seeking Permanent Employment? Do Relief Work as an On-the-Job Interview.
Entrepreneur? Gain a Wealth of Experience and Knowledge at a Variety of Companion Animal Practices.

How to conduct relief work as a (successful) business?

Treat Their Practice Like Your Own!
Bring your Smile, Sense of Humor, a Great Attitude, and a Strong Work Ethic.
Communicate Effectively with Clients and Especially the Staff!
WARNING: Good Clinical Skills and Competency are an Expectation of This Hiring Process!
Generate Medical and Surgical Services Revenue for the Practice.
Project a Professional Demeanor and Dress Smartly.

Are there states that offer reciprocity?

Yes, there are states that offer reciprocity/endorsement. It's not universal or automatic, but common enough that vets frequently get multi-state licensed without re-examining fully. It depends on your specific situation (current license state, years practiced, good standing) and the target state(s). For the most accurate/current info (requirements change), check these resources:

The state's veterinary board website directly. Click here for a full list.
Tools on AAVSB (aavsb.org). Search states here: https://www.aavsb.org/public-resources/look-up-a-license/

When I login an agreement page appears.

The first time you login you'll be presented with VetRelief.com User Agreement. Please read through it. To accept it click the checkbox and then click on the I accept button. The next time you login the user agreement will no longer appear.

I don't see any relief job listings in my area.

You are not seeing any jobs because there are none currently posted in your area. Reach out directly to Mitch (mitch@vetrelief.com or (949)899-8387) and let him know your availability and location. He can reach out to hospitals in your area and see if anyone is looking for relief coverage for upcoming dates.

How can I make sure where I'm applying to work is safe?

Go ahead and Bid on Jobs of interest. Use the Comment Section in the bid form to inquire about your prerequisite regarding hospital security, safety, as well as their Covid 19 protocols. Also you may visit the facility during the bid's acceptance period to further evaluate its suitability. [top]

The hospital just called and cancelled me. What recourse do I have?

If you disagree with their decision, send them an itemized invoice explaining any direct expenses you may have incurred to uphold your end of the commitment. If you have turned down other work ASK for some remuneration. Once you've made your request move-on and don't be surprised if no response or a good-faith offer is not forthcoming. At some point if you feel strongly about their decision you may have to resort to small claims court for recourse.

What happens if a hospital cancels me? How will I know?

As soon as VetRelief is notified of a cancellation we will immediately post a message, email you, or text requesting that you acknowledge the cancellation alert.

A clinic wants me to work permanent part-time. What should I do?

That is good news! It is not unusual for a clinic to find a permanent part-time doctor through their VetRelief.com contacts. Likewise it is also common for relief doctors to accept additional work as well as a permanent position made through their VetRelief.com contacts. You have agreed to notify us of any new employment arrangement and to update us with your schedule at this clinic. In doing so you will be released from any financial obligation to us by simply providing VetRelief.com the schedule updates when requested.
Learn more: Our Agreement.

May I modify or withdraw my bid?

Yes, you may modify or withdraw a pending bid. Simply post a bid memo and VetRelief.com will modify times, rates, conditions if needed.

When should I notify the hospital of my personal policies for doing relief work?

When you create a bid enter your provisions into the comments section of the bid form. Or if you need more room you may post your policies to a bid memo.

Is a relief veterinarian obligated to work if my bid is accepted?

There is no obligation for a hospital or clinic to hire you just because you bid on their job. Likewise you are not obligated either if you do not agree to their employment offer. However, once a hospital accepts your bid, you've agreed to their offer then yes, you are obligated and service relationship agreement is made confirming your bid. [ top ]

Does a relief veterinarian need a business license?

Maybe, however in our opinion it is much more important to incorporate yourself as a relief veterinarian. [ top

What guaranty does the relief doctor have to get paid?

There are no guarantees. However, demonstrating while on the job great interpersonal skills, effective and thoughful communication with staff and clients, competent clinical skills, generating income for the practice by providing quality care and work-ups, good medical record keeping, maintaining a professional demeanor, dressing smartly, and treating their practice like you would your own may be all the guarantee to get paid that you need. With that said, we provide written service relationship agreements stating the specifics of your agreement: fees, work dates, when and where payment is to be sent. In addition an invoice is prepared in your name and presented on your behalf to the hospital.

When is the relief veterinarian paid? My question is related to the statement that VetRelief.com offers a written agreement to the employer describing fees, work dates, when and where payment is sent, etc. Does this mean that I do not have to provide such information? Are there any other recommended protections I can make such as requesting payment be made at the end of the shift?

Payment of fees should be discussed after a bid is accepted and before the job begins. During this time VetRelief.com expects you to call (or visit) and introduce yourself to the hospital in advance of your schedule there. This is especially true where you have not worked previously. When you first speak directly with the hospital a well-timed 'when may I expect payment?' should be all that is needed. Or post a bid memo requesting to learn 'when you may expect payment for services'. Or you may simply state in the comment section of the bid form 'when payment should be made'. Payment expectations may sometimes be a sticky point though. Along with the service agreements that describe your fees, work schedule, and when and where payment for services are to be sent, VetRelief.com automatically prepares and sends an invoice on your behalf to each hospital as well. This invoice though does not make a specific time-demand. When 'time is of the essence' make your expectations precise and satisfy yourself that your payment requests will be met timely! When it comes to getting paid be certain to clear-up any miscommunication that might exist ahead of time. Post a bid memo restating what your understanding is of your payment expecations.
Also you may provide the hospital with an invoice if you like as well as a W-9 form.
Learn more: W-9 form

I just bid on a Hospital's Job that I'm already aquainted with

Leave your bid as-is and work the Job if the hospital confirms through the website or even directly. Regardless of your previous relationship, you found a work opportunity posted on VetRelief.com that you otherwise may have missed. If there is any issues we will deal with the hospital directly. [ top ]

Frequently Asked Questions by Relief Veterinarians