Life as a Locum Doctor  

If you have ever thought about life as a locum doctor and wondered what that kind of lifestyle looks like, you’re in the right place. Many people have heard the term locum in a medical or healthcare context, but most don’t completely understand what it entails. 

 

What does locum mean?

The word locum comes from the Latin phrase locum tenens, which means ‘place holder’. A locum doctor is a doctor who temporarily fulfills or is a ‘placeholder’ for another, who covers for another doctor who is on leave. 

 

Why do hospitals use locum doctors?

Continuity of service in the healthcare industry is one of the most important factors to consider when staffing hospitals. Locum doctors are often brought in to fill gaps in rosters during both planned and unplanned leave. This continuity of care sees the need for round the clock rosers at all times, including when doctors are on holidays, if they fall ill or any other similar breaks. This is where locum doctors are incredibly useful and can step in to assist.

Rural or remote hospitals may also recruit doctors in a locum capacity while they search for permanent staff. Often it is more difficult for these areas to fill permanent positions, meaning locum rosters are more available and doctors often move into an area for a short period of time before moving on.

 

The pros and cons of working as a locum doctor

Working as a locum doctor has a range of advantages. 

 

Travel

Many locum workers are drawn to the work for the travel benefits. Locum work provides the opportunity to travel and experience different parts of Australia while continuing to earn money and advance your career. Locum work is perfect for those who are still trying to figure out where they want to settle down, and allows doctors to visit places that they may otherwise never have discovered. 

The perk of being able to travel without taking time off from work is a great advantage. Building a network across the country also allows you to expand your career whilst experiencing all that Australia has to offer. Plus, employers are likely to pay for your travel and accommodation costs too!

 

Flexibility

The work life balance of the locum lifestyle is another very attractive benefit, whilst being able to make the most of flexible arrangements while you explore new places. With locum work you can choose when and where you’d like to work, meaning you can switch between part and full time roles depending on your commitments outside of work. You can also choose to take up extra hours where you choose, and locum work can be a great way to learn new skills and gain experience in different areas of the hospital. Locum work is the perfect role for those who like to design their work schedule around their lifestyle.

 

Variety and Experience

Expanding your career horizon into a locum placement is a great way to explore new locations and disciplines, gaining exposure to many new areas of work and new colleagues that you may not have otherwise met. Locum workers are people who enjoy a challenge and can adapt and thrive in changeable settings. This type of career path will help hospital workers to develop a fresh perspective, opening up doors to new patients, issues, interactions and settings. The variety and new experiences gained from locum work will ensure you’re never bored! 

Locum work is also a great way to experience a taste of a new move before committing to it. If you have been considering moving between the private and public sector, or into a different role within your field, what better way to find out if you want to commit to that change than to try it out first. 

 

Career Development

Similar to any profession, the more experience you develop across a range of different roles and environments, the better equipped you are in your own role. Your professional development and potential career options can thrive from a position like locum work, with constant opportunity to learn new skills and be faced with new challenges, whilst meeting a range of new people to learn from, experiencing new environments that make you think outside the box and encourage career growth. If the thought of working in the same hospital or department for years and years sounds boring and stale, you will certainly prefer a more diverse and progressive role through locum positions. 

 

Financial Benefits

Another quite well known perk of locum work is the financial benefits. Any locum role is likely to come with a great remuneration package. As the locum role often involves filling in for others with short notice or in urgent care capacities, hiring managers are often willing to pay substantial amounts to ensure that those gaps in roles are filled as quickly as possible. 

Okay, so far it’s all sounding really great – but what are the downfalls of working as a locum doctor?

 

Lack of Stability

Many doctors find the most unappealing side to locum work is the lack of stability that it entails. The range of placements can vary in duration, from a few days to several months or more, and usually come with very little notice, which can be stressful for those who like to plan in advance. Locum work can also be fairly transient, meaning there isn’t a lot of stability in living arrangements and community support, so those with partners, family or close friends may find it less appealing, unless you can restrict your movements to a certain area (which is sometimes possible). 

 

Availability of Work

Locum work isn’t always available. There may be times where opportunities aren’t as frequent, meaning you may need to compromise by taking positions that may not be in an ideal location, or may not be the exact role you hoped for, in order to maintain a steady income. In saying this, locum work is not permanent, so if you do end up in a role or location that you aren’t as pleased with, then you can simply start looking forward to your next placement to follow and enjoy the experience while it lasts. If you are working with an agency you are more likely to secure regular work in your preferred location or role. 

 

Income Irregularity

Understandably, locum work does not come with a standard salary package in the same way a permanent role would. This can mean that your income may at times be irregular as you switch between placements. This risk is often outweighed by the higher pay rates that locum placements generally offer. It mostly depends on your own circumstances and your placements for continuity of work.

 

How are locum doctors paid?

Locum doctors are generally paid based on either a set hourly rate or a set daily rate. The average hourly rates for a locum doctor working in Australia can be anywhere between $120 to $400 per hour. At those rates, locum doctors are one of the  best paying professions in the country. Doing the math, the full time equivalent salary to that can fall anywhere in the range of $250,000 to $750,000 or more depending on the doctor’s experience and specialisations. Another factor can be the location of the hospital or clinic, as this can also influence the pay rate for locum doctors. The more rural or remote the hospital, the more they will pay. 

 

How do you find work as a locum doctor?

The easiest way to find your perfect locum doctor role is by registering with a healthcare recruitment agency. Most clinics and hospitals in remote and rural positions will utilise the specialised recruitment agencies to fill roles as they arise, as agencies generally have the highest quality talent to add to the pool of candidates. Recruitment agencies often have the best understanding of the needs of the hospital and can communicate and fill these positions with the resources they need. 

When a doctor registers with a healthcare recruitment agency they work closely with a team of specialists who are experienced in the medical industry and placing staff in the most suitable environments. Agencies will take into consideration the skills, experience and goals of the doctor and provide them with a list of potential placements across Australia, whilst providing support at each step of the recruitment process. 

 

How do you compare staffing agencies?

There are lots of healthcare recruitment agencies that doctors can contact to find the perfect role, so how do you find the best one? 

 

Here are a few things to consider.

 

• A Variety of Roles – A good medical recruitment agency will be sure to offer you medical and allied health jobs in both the public and private sectors.
• Specialisations – When looking for locum doctor work in a specific specialisation, make sure the agencies you’re considering working with offer support for finding roles in that area.

 

• Exclusive Jobs – Agencies that can offer exclusive jobs are generally a good choice, as this is a great way to have access to roles you may have not been able to obtain.

 

• Locations – If you’re looking to find locum work in a different state, or even a different country, you may choose to find an agency with experience in that location. While your home state agency may know a lot about that location, good agencies will have knowledge across a range of locations and be able to support you in that transition.
• Experience – Is preferred when searching for an agency. Agencies that have knowledgeable consultants that have networks and relationships already built are more likely to offer the best support and expertise.
• Testimonials – Researching online reviews and client testimonials is a great way to see how an agency operates and achieves. These often provide insight into the quality  of service and standard or type of roles that this agency has to offer.

 

If you are looking for a locum position, register with Jon & Jon today as we guarantee you the support and guidance in finding the perfect role for you.