Choosing medical locum work opens up a world of possibility and flexibility. It can be a great career option for doctors at any stage in their professional lives, whether you’re a qualified consultant looking for more flexibility or you’re just starting out in your career and looking to try out a range of environments before choosing your specialty.

Understanding the full remit of the medical locum role and how healthcare providers use them will allow you to navigate your locum career so that every opportunity gets you closer to your overall career goals. Enjoy our guide to medical locum work and how you can ensure every role matches your preferences.

What is a medical locum?

First things first, a medical locum is a doctor who fills temporary positions in hospitals, clinics, general practices, and more. They often fill in when permanent staff are unwell, on long or medium-term leave, or to help with a backlog of appointments or increased demand for medical services. Locums are in high demand still as the UK’s healthcare providers try and clear backlogs caused by the pandemic.

What does a medical locum do?

Depending on the type of medical locum role, locums will largely have the same responsibilities as any doctor. Many locums will be engaged to:

• Perform physical examinations
• Administer vaccines
• Complete rounds on a ward
• Administer emergency care
• Refer patients to specialists
• Recommend treatment plans
• Prescribe medications

However, one major difference between a locum and a permanent doctor is that you have complete control over when and how often you work. Permanent doctors will have one role with an agreed schedule that lasts until the employment contract is terminated by either party. However, locums work on short, medium or long-term contracts and have a lot more control over their work schedules.

How can you find medical locum opportunities?

There are two very popular routes into medical locum roles:

NHS bank recruitment: This means going directly to an NHS Trust and registering to be part of their pool of doctors they can call on when they need additional support. According to the BMA, the UK needs over 40,000+ doctors to reach the recommended number of doctors per 1,000 people, as such there are no shortages of NHS bank opportunities in the UK.

This route is popular for medical locums because it offers:

• Local opportunities: When you sign up with your local NHS Trust you can work in that facility, this allows you to maintain your work-life balance and provide a cost-effective way to build your career as you’re not paying for a lengthy commute.
• Routine: You can build a routine and relationships with permanent members of staff as you will work again and again in the same facility.
• Experience: NHS Trusts typically offer priority to those in their bank over agency workers, so you can build your experience very easily. You can also choose roles that will help you develop your skills and knowledge in a given specialty too.

However, NHS bank pay rates are set by individual trusts, so your pay could be different to other opportunities around the country. It can be a very time-consuming task to compare them all and find the right opportunity for you via this route.

Locum agencies: There are recruitment agencies that specialise in matching medical locums with the best available opportunities. They build a network of NHS Trusts, clinics, hospitals and private facilities so they can offer each locum a position that suits their exact preferences.

This is also a popular option as it offers:• Reduced administrative responsibilities: When you work with an agency that specialises in medical locum roles, you don’t have to do any research to find the best opportunity out there. Your consultant will have already done the work and will have a list of opportunities in your immediate area and further abroad at both NHS and private facilities.

• Total choice and control: You’ll have more choice as agencies have access to opportunities across the country in both NHS and private healthcare providers. You then have complete control over which opportunities you take and can protect your work-life balance or advance your career with more challenging options.
• Broader opportunities: Your local NHS Trust may be limited in the roles they need locum support on, but an agency will have access to locum opportunities in a range of healthcare providers and specialties.
• Better pay: As you’re not confined to your local Trust and can take opportunities in private facilities, the pay can be higher. Agencies also work in your best interest and will present you with the best opportunities in your chosen specialty.

How do you make sure each medical locum role aligns with your goals and work-life balance?

Speaking to a medical locum agency is the quickest way to ensure every role you work gets you closer to your career goals or allows you the freedom and flexibility to meet your other priorities, be they extracurricular, care giving, or leisure. Your personal consultant will have a thorough understanding of what you want from your medical locum career and will only provide you with roles that meet your preferences.

However, some additional ways you can ensure you’re always working in medical locum roles that align with your goals are:

• Define your career goals: This is important to remember at every stage of your career.
  – If you’re just starting out: Having a clear idea of what you want to specialise in one day will help you guide your locum career in that direction. This could include general surgery, paediatrics, OBGYN, general or acute medicine, anaesthetics, psychiatry, etc.
  – If you’re more experienced and looking for better work-life balance: Knowing what your limits are and what external factors you need to balance against your professional commitments will help you know which opportunities to pick.
• Be flexible: You might have the option to choose roles at facilities that require some travel. Staying flexible to consider these will ensure you’re maximising your agency relationship.
• Stay in contact with your consultant: Your consultant has their finger on the pulse of where the opportunities are in the UK. Keep them updated with your availability and if anything changes with your circumstances or preferences.
• Stay on top of your compliance documentation: Your compliance documents are required to safeguard you and the healthcare provider throughout your engagement. If any of your documents lapse or go out of date you will not be able to work in locum roles.

Source your next medical locum role through ProMedical

Our experienced and passionate recruitment consultants are highly trained, dedicated professionals who understand what you want from a job. We work with you and for you, always ensuring you are matched with your perfect job.

Get in touch today to discuss your medical locum career.