People with an interest in either the healthcare or medical industries generally have an interest in using their skills to assist others. This typically covers different types of care involving patients, from general practice and oncology to pediatrics. When an absence or vacancy arises in a hospital or medical practice, locum doctors are used to fill the spot temporarily. In this post, we will cover "What is a locum doctor?", their duties, the benefits of becoming one, and how a person becomes a locum doctor.
What Is A Locum Doctor?
If you are interested in a medical career, you might have already asked, "What is a locum doctor?". These doctor Locum jobs professionals, which also go by the name of "locum tenens physicians", are professionals that take over the role of another professional temporarily. This often arises when a doctor decides to travel abroad, take a sabbatical, or when they need to take sick leave. Medical facilities such as a clinic or hospitals will also use locum doctors when they require additional support or they are experiencing increased strain on their standard demands.Responsibilities And Duties Of Locum Doctors
A locum doctor usually fills in for the day-to-day tasks of a doctor that they are temporarily replacing. The duties often depend on the facility type or the specialty of the locum doctor. Some of the more common responsibilities include:- Performing physical examinations of patients- Talking with patients or their guardians about either their treatments or symptoms- Writing out a prescription for treatment and medication- Diagnosing injuries, illnesses, and diseases- Recommending treatment courses- Offering emergency treatment or care- Administering vaccinations- Conducting and organising routine appointments associated with chronic conditions- Performing surgeries- Delivering babies, as well as offering post-partum careBenefits Of Becoming A Locum Doctor
There are various benefits linked to becoming a locum doctor. Some examples of these include:Developing Your Experience
Locum doctors often develop important transferable skills that typically include leadership and flexibility, along with specific types of medical skills. This allows doctors to build up their CVs and learn a lot more about different roles within the medical industry.Networking With Industry Professionals
If you are thinking about a career that falls outside of traditional medical or healthcare, which might include opening a private practice of your own, becoming a locum doctor often provides a way to make valuable connections and contacts that will be needed in the future. Working with different industry professionals can provide more real-world support and advice than a university or medical school.Greater Freedom And Independence
Locum doctors have more control over the clinics, facilities, and areas of the medical industry they would like to work in. You have control over where and when you work, and responsibility over your taxes and pension. This may appear daunting, to begin with, but most locum healthcare providers thrive on the freedom and independence to choose assignments.Earn More Than Other Roles
In many cases, locum doctors will be in higher demand to fill roles, especially at short notice. The hiring managers are usually more open to offering better financial benefits when compared to those on permanent salaries. This can come with more intensive schedules and demanding hours, but the locum doctors generally consistently earn a lot more when compared to permanent staff.How To Become A Locum Doctor
If you are interested in becoming a "locum doctor", here are the steps to follow:- Obtain An Undergraduate Degree
The first step involves studying A-Levels that relate to medicine, like physics, math, chemistry, and biology. These are generally the minimum requirements for the majority of medical schools, where you can then apply to start studying medicine (at an undergraduate level).- Gain Experience Through Internships
While you are studying for an undergraduate degree, you should be applying to a range of internships during the course and outside of the term time. This could include pre-med internships in various facilities and environments, including GP clinics and surgeries, and hospitals. You may also want to enlist with the reserve military as "a combat medic" or any other medical role to develop experience in intense environments with career development and transferable skills opportunities.- Obtain A Postgraduate Medical Degree
Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, you will then need to obtain your postgraduate degree either in general medical practice or a specialist field at a medical school or a university. These are programmes that might focus on laboratory and theoretical work, but can also provide valuable training and experience at the same time. In the second half of a medical degree, many candidates start working on field-learning opportunities and advanced research within a specific medical facility. This provides hands-on experience in real-life situations in medical care.- Gain Professional Experience In A Specialisation
If you have not yet chosen a specialization during the degree, now would be the best time to start gaining experience in one of the specialty areas and become a trustworthy doctor. While this is not essential, it can give you an edge over other types of locum doctors when you start applying for assignments. When you choose a specialist area, you might also want to start thinking about when and where you would prefer to work.- Register With The General Medical Council
Before you start working as a locum doctor you will be required to register for full registration with the General Medical Council. This is where you will receive a licence that provides you with the permission you need to practice. This licence also provides you with permission to work in the U.K. Before you register with agencies or apply for an assignment, you will typically need to supply evidence of both your licence and registration.- Register With A Medical Staffing Or Locum Tenens Agency
A medical staffing or locum tenens agency is a business that connects medical facilities and practices that need temporary staff with locum doctors that are verified. This is an effective way to start looking for doctor locum jobs since these non-profit sites will generally check and verify the hiring managers and applicants. This helps to streamline hiring processes, making it easier for locum doctors to find work. Categorized into General Health
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