The document discusses becoming a relief or locum tenens veterinarian. It is authored by Raymond J. Ramirez DVM, who worked as a relief doctor in over 100 clinics over 18 years. The document provides advice on the traits of a good relief veterinarian, such as adaptability, expedient skills, and being willing to accept critique. It also covers logistical aspects like tax considerations, record keeping, and appropriate attire when working as a relief doctor.

1. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
So you want to be a Relief Doctor?
• Raymond J. Ramirez DVM
• Relief Dr working in over 100 clinics in two
states from 1989 – 2007
• Slideshare.net/RayJRamirez

2. Welcome to
50:50
Who Wants to
become a
Veterinary
Relief Doctor
Millionaire
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

3. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

4. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
15
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

5. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This world renown
veterinarian is
discussing the traits a
good relief
veterinarian should
have:
50:50
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
A: Dr James Herriot
B: Raymond J. Ramirez DVM
C: Lydia Gray, DVM, MS
D: Robert M Miller DVM

6. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

7. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This is the official
title of a veterinarian
who is doing relief
work.
50:50
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A: loco
B: crazy
C: unusual
D: Locum tenens
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

8. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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2
1
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

9. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
What is not a reason
one would have for
becoming a relief
veterinarian?
50:50
A: Want to change the world
one practice at a time
C: Looking for best
place to work
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Have family at home and
want more flexiblilty
D: Retired but
want to keep up

10. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

11. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This is not a reason
why veterinarians
consider performing
relief work
50:50
A: take spontaneous
time off
C: Flexibility of
schedule
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Want to get more
vacation
D: Looking for
permanent work

12. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

13. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This would be an
attribute about my
practice habits that
would be problematic
as a relief veterinarian
50:50
A: enjoy learning different
anesthetic protocols
C: Enjoy taking my time with
each client – minimum 1 hour
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Enjoy learning new
medication / vaccine protocols
D: Willing to go
with flow

14. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
You’ve Reached
the $1,000
Milestone!

15. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

16. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Which of these skills
as a relief doctor
would not expand your
ability to help the
hiring clinic
50:50
A: expedient surgical skills
C: Have good typing
skills
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Afraid to ask colleague
to critique my skills
D: Adaptable to a new clinic protocol
– not ‘my way or the highway’

17. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

18. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Which of the background
check items may not give
you a positive reference
if you were to give it to a
prospective clinic
50:50
A: Doctor references
C: License lookup
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Google check
D: Governor Blagojevich
phone number

19. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

20. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

21. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

22. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

23. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

24. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

25. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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2
1
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

26. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
The following is not
recommended dress
attire as a locum
tenens veterinarian
50:50
A: Clean tee shirt and dress
slacks or scrubs
C: White coat over
professional pant business
suit
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Long sleeve dress
shirt/ dress pant/ tie
D: Professional dress
and smile

27. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

28. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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1
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

29. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This financial program
can not make it easier to
keep track of income and
expenses
50:50
A: Quickbooks
C: Pen/ paper
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Quicken Home and
Buisenss
D: Excel

30. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

31. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

32. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
When preparing to be
at a clinic in the next
week, the following
would be least helpful
to do:
50:50
A: Find out core/non core
vaccines
C: Find out heartworm and
chronic medication
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Call clinic to make sure no
date/ time changes
D: Find out about
Mandated employee breaks

33. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
You’ve Reached
the $32,000
Milestone!

34. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

35. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved

36. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Anticipation and Follow up
Follow up form
Date/client/ presenting compliant/ treatment
done / resolution if any.
Available Word document at ramirezdvm.com
What could I have done to make my stay there
better.

37. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

38. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
The following is required to
have and to give to the clinic
when performing your first
locum tenens job as an
independent contractor as
defined by the IRS
50:50
A: Federal Identification
number
C: Workmans Compensation
Insurance
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: W9 form
D: Separate personal /
business accounts

39. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Independent Contractor
Benefits
 Deduct car mileage
 Deduct uniform expenses
 Deduct medical
equipment – stethoscope,
 Deduct books,
subscriptions, dues, VIN
subscriptions**
 Deduct cell phone bills
 Deduct computer
purchased used for work
 ? Home office
Disadvantages
 Keeping track of receipts (easier with
computer)
 Sending in quarterly payments
 Likely need accounting assistance
 Some extra year end tax forms
** = Raymond J. Ramirez DVM is employed
by VIN as a representative

40. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

41. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
The following license is not
required to practice
medicine, take radiographs,
prescribe controlled
anesthetics, and sign health
certificates
50:50
A: Illionios state (& controlled
substance license)
C: Radiation monitor
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B: DEA
D: Accreditation
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

42. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

43. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
Without your own
personal Drug
Enforcement Agency
(DEA) number, you
can only do the
following:
50:50
A: Euthanize a patient
in clinic
C: Prescribe Phenobarb
from clinic pharmacy
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100
B: Anesthetize a patient in
clinic with controlled drugs.
D: Anesthetize a patient with
Propofol/ inhalant anesthetic

44. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
15
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2
1
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

45. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
As an Independent
Contractor under the IRS
guidelines, you should
receive a 1099 form from
the clinic where you made
more than:
50:50
A: $ 600
B: $ 800
C:$ 1,000
D: $1,500
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$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

46. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
15
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5
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3
2
1
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

47. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
This is the only
Illinois city west of
the Mississippi
River
50:50
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A: Quincy
B: Kaskaskia
C: Cairo
D: None
$1 Million
$500,000
$250,000
$125,000
$64,000
$32,000
$16,000
$8,000
$4,000
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$300
$200
$100

48. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved
YOU WIN $1
MILLION DOLLARS!

49. © Raymond J. Ramirez DVM - All Rights Reserved