How locum working can help you with your permanent job

There’s a misconception that locum doctors are constantly travelling across the country, working shifts at various hospitals and clinics, and never putting down roots. While some physicians choose to move around frequently, there are many others who benefit from locum work while keeping their full-time jobs.

While locum work is by its very definition temporary, it can also be helpful to those who want to remain in one place. How? Some use it to test out a new location or facility, while others enjoy the extra income or the variety of experiences it can offer.

AppLocum are here to tell you all of the advantages of being a locum from first-hand accounts of other physicians.

Finding your place

For those new to medicine, deciding where to start your career can be daunting. There is also pressure to accept the first offer that comes along, which is something that a lot of first time physicians feel.

After learning about locum work, Physicians begin working temporary assignments while continuing their permanent job search. It really allows you to relax and be patient in finding the right opportunity. Eventually, you will find the position you are looking for.

Not only do you gain valuable experience while working locums, but you also gain the opportunity of practicing medicine in a rural area to having the freedom of travelling around the world between assignments.

Getting a sneak peek

Locum work is so easy to try and experiment with, just taking a short period of time off or working one or two locum shifts in your free time can give you the insights you need to see if it is right for you.

As a temporary physician, you have full control over your working calendar and can work the days, weeks or even months you want. This allows you to take long periods of time off whatever you require it for.

Working locum shifts can also lead to a permanent position in some cases. Having a good repour with a hospital of surgery can open many doors to long term locum work or even as mentioned a full time permanent position.

Earning extra income

Locum work always comes with extra perks and one of the main benefits of locum work is an increase in income.

This is to naturally off-set the lack of holiday pay and sick pay provided by salaried work. Locum work can be used to supplement a part time salaried position, earning a lot in a short period of time to take time off that they would not be allowed to in a salaried position.

Relieve burnout

A common issue that is arising for Physicians is ‘burnout’. This is the workload becoming too much to handle throughout primary and secondary care. This can easily lead to high levels of stress and physicians burning out of the profession which leads to higher workloads pushed onto colleagues.

One of the easiest ways to relieve burnout in the industry is taking time off when you need it, having full control over your clinical schedule while working temporary shifts gives physicians this chance easily.

This will relieve the symptoms of burnout and allow clinicians to carry on providing high quality and effective healthcare to all of their patients.

From locum to permanent

It’s clear that physicians find locum work rewarding for different reasons: it can be the perfect complement to a permanent position, or it can lead to the ideal professional opportunity. Others find they enjoy it so much they begin working locums full-time.

Give us your thoughts and opinions on locum work and how it has worked for you.