The idea of practising as a medical Locum is often a topic that scares people into accepting that a full-time position is their only option when flexibility is what they really want.
Looking for a full-time position in an established medical practice can take time and a qualified medical professional shouldn’t need to look hard to find a stable career in the medical industry, and this is also why Locuming should feel appealing and accessible to you.
Consider a season of Locum work as a way to kick-start your career before diving into full-time practice work or in the interim stage while looking for a full-time position in an established medical practice.
If you have qualified in your medical field and registered with your professional body, you have the opportunity to Locum. A Locum is a medical practitioner who has full certification and qualification in their field and is temporarily covering an important medical position. For example, should a Practice reach capacity and need to lighten the workload on permanent staff, a Locum will step in to ensure that the increased capacity need is met.
Practising as a medical Locum, in whichever field of study you have qualified in, is a good way to get broad experience. You have the flexibility of working in multiple different practices building experience, your patient list as well as gaining an understanding of procedures, operating systems and styles of management. It is wise to approach your career with an open mind while allowing yourself to be exposed to many diverse working environments to build up an arsenal of knowledge before opening your own practice. Regardless of what your end goal is, a broad understanding will benefit you as a working professional in the long run.
Once coming out of an academic environment, it is good to allow your career to work for you as a professional at times. After working hard over a number of years to achieve your qualification as a medical practitioner, easing into full-time work could benefit you in your longevity as a passionate medical professional as most graduates begin work on the brink of burnout. Locum work is a great way to achieve an 'easing in' phase of your early career and assist with paying off any student debt while building your career.
Taking charge of your skilled hours by utilising our LocumBase platform, you have the power to set which days you would like to work and which days are blocked off from your calendar. As a Locum on our platform, you also have the opportunity to decide how much you’d really like to earn for those days you work in relation to your experience and you can find some rate guidelines here.
WORKING AS A LOCUM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
This has been a challenge for Locums as the constant change of work environments can increase the chance of contracting the virus however, doctors who have opened their doors are ensuring that their practices are completely disinfected and everything is kept in a sanitised condition.
Locum work is a good way to ease into which direction you’d like to take, and if you find a routine that works for you, you have the opportunity to be your own boss while practising as a Locum. With the opportunity to decide when and how you work, you have the opportunity to continue along the Locum career path. Locum work can be a successful career choice in the medical industry and with free tools like LocumBase.
Sign up today to kickstart your Locum career here.
Contact us at hello@locumbase.com for any questions you may have or drop us a WhatsApp on 079 013 3962.
