Does locum work give you small business skills? 

When you start out working as a locum, whether part or full time, you are bound to be a little nervous about the different work practices and ever-changing surroundings. If you have been accustomed to working in the same environment, with the same people, it will take a little while to get used to it. You will also need to learn the non-clinical skills that come with being self-employed. If you have been fully employed under the UK tax scheme, there are many new skills you will acquire that are vital to locum work, and which could also be applied to running a small business. 

Finances 

One of the key skills to locum work is managing your finances. You will not know exactly how much you will have in your bank account at the end of every month after tax. Managing your money and normal day-to-day expenses (such as travelling to work) could vary considerably from month to month. You will improve your budgeting skills, working out what percentage of your earnings to set aside for unforeseen circumstances and any costs such as an accountant or umbrella company. This is similar to the financial decisions that need to be made for a small business and, in fact, many locums set up a limited company to get paid into. See our IR35 guidance to read about the changes implemented in April 2021 for those with a limited company. 

Timescales are also important. When you get paid by the various practices that you work for, you cannot always depend on which specific date you will receive funds. However, if you work through a reliable agency, as long as time sheets have been approved and there are no queries about your services to a surgery or other medical centre, you are guaranteed payment on a specific date. For example, AppLocum offers payment within one week of completion of your shift. 

Managing your time and admin 

This will become second nature to you in a very short period of time. Your time is money, and your money is time! So, the more organised you become, the more work you can commit to. Keeping both handwritten and computer files will ensure you always have a backup of information about your timetable. Allocating the appropriate time for paperwork is essential to ensure that you get payments in on time, or worse, you miss a shift and let someone down. It may sound somewhat of a task to both work and shuffle paper, but you will learn very quickly the importance of record-keeping. 

Negotiation Skills 

Negotiation skills are important as a locum, so that you can ensure a placement meets your requirements. Starting as you mean to go on requires careful consideration. These are the points you will learn to follow:

– Negotiating rates of pay, terms and conditions, availability dates (although some flexibility is needed on these) 

– Length of session and breaks

– Whether you willing to do certain tasks, such as home visits

Getting the balance right on negotiation will certainly come to you in time if you are short on experience in this field. 

It is important to clarify what your responsibilities are in the role they are proposing.  

Become a pro at networking

Making good contacts with each placement you have and working with a friendly and professional attitude will ensure that opportunities and repeat work start to flow in. Positive feedback and a strong relationship with a locum agency can also mean you come to mind when good placements come through. 

Widening your contacts will also help, which can be done through LinkedIn, relevant industry forums, and local meetings. Let people know you are out there and contact like-minded professionals in your field, ensuring that you respect the boundaries of both people you do and don’t know personally. Think of others you may have known in your professional past, and re-establish contacts with them, including your alumni from med school or university. Where are they now? This can help you to improve your knowledge, measure your competencies against other healthcare professionals and find placements which are perfect for you. 

There is no need to limit your contact list, even if they are not in the same profession as you. Joining a local branch of the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) can be invaluable for meeting accountants, banks, solicitors and other affiliated businesses that may be in a field where you need help in the future. 

Whilst we’re not suggesting that you can go straight from locum work to running a business, it will teach you how to work independently, manage your time and money, and build professional relationships with a wide range of people. Instead of being an employee, you offer your services and decide your own requirements. These are invaluable skills which can be used both to improve your clinical practice and pursue personal goals.

If you are a locum, see our vacancies and register with AppLocum to be the first to hear about the latest shifts in your area.