Top Tips to Becoming a Locum

Life as a locum can be hugely rewarding, but you need the right knowledge to thrive. Put in the appropriate effort, however, and you can enjoy a lengthy career as a healthcare professional while still benefitting from the flexibility of a contractor.

If you’re considering registration as a locum, ensure that you’re legally compliant. Staying on top of the latest trends and advances in the medical field ensures that you’ll remain in constant demand.

Protect Yourself

First thing’s first – if working as a sole trader, you’ll need to register with HMRC. Naturally, this comes with tax implications! You’ll be on HMRC’s radar from the moment you sign up, so stay compliant.

When your income starts to increase, it may become fiscally prudent to register as a limited company. A professional accountant will be able to offer valued advice on this process, ensuring that you maximise your earning potential. The implications of this option may change due to IR35 regulation, read more here.

You will also need to take out a range of personal insurance policies. Income protection insurance is advisable, ensuring that you can make ends meet if you’re unable to work for any reason. You will also need medical indemnity insurance. Take steps to safeguard yourself.

Keep Accurate Records, and Retain Transparency

Always be clear and transparent about what you are aiming to achieve in your career. AppLocum can connect you with a wide range of local opportunities, but it pays to know exactly what you’re looking for.

Take a moment to think about what matters most to you, and tailor your career around this. The whole point of working as a locum rather than a salaried employee is flexibility. Think about the hourly rate you are hoping for, the hours you are prepared to work, and how far you are willing to travel for employment.

In addition, keep detailed records of any work that you perform. This will be useful for your accountant, your insurers and your employers. You can also use this data to assess your working patterns and look into what opportunities are meeting your needs best.

Embrace Appraisals and Feedback

If you want to work as a locum, you will need to undertake regular appraisals. Every five years, you will also undertake the daunting process of revalidation – proving that your knowledge and technique surrounding medical affairs remains at the cutting edge of the industry.

Use your appraisal to assess and reflect on your work throughout the year. Ask your colleagues and patients for feedback on the service you have provided. Use this data to think of areas that you can focus on improving. Show your appraiser that you are dedicated to this self-improvement, demonstrating measurable targets to achieve this.

Locum work can be a lonely career. Thankfully, there is no shortage of groups and networks that you can join to share the experience. Look for, and join, locum groups in your area to exchange support and advice with like-minded individuals.

Familiarise Yourself with Your Working Environment

Working as a locum ensures that you will be placed in a wide range of different hospitals and doctor’s surgeries. While this leads to an interesting and variable career, it can also leave you feeling like you’re constantly on the back foot.

Wherever possible, familiarise yourself with the places that you’ll be invited to work. Forge relationships and learn how senior figures like to approach problems and challenges. You’ll find the transition into these workplaces a little simpler, and remain on top of how things are done.

Locum work is hard but rewarding. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be ready to enjoy a long and fruitful career. AppLocum will be here to help you throughout your journey.

If you are looking for locum work then you can access locum shifts in your area with AppLocum. See our vacancies or contact us to get started!