What is locum work?

What does a locum do?

Locum work is when a doctor offers his/her services to a healthcare facility on a temporary basis, usually without a direct contract with the employer. The pay is generally per hour, as agreed upon between you and the GP, facility, hospital, or locum agency you are working through.

Pro’s

  • Flexible work hours – you control your hours
  • No need for a contract (usually).
  • No need for interviews (usually).
  • Easy access to work.
  • Exposure to various aspects of medicine.
  • Introduction and exposure to the private sector.
  • Exposure to different systems in healthcare.
  • Improvement of clinical skills.
  • Little commitment is needed.

Cons

  • Can occasionally be unpredictable.
  • No paid leave or sick leave.
  • Except for GP shifts, you will likely still need to work night shifts.
  • Navigating so many different systems can be tricky at first.

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