Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Robocop — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:53:58 GMT

I locummed as soon as qualified and I had no problems getting work. My first locum job was working for an orthopaedic referral practice, where they had their own MRI machine. I stayed there for 9 months and I learnt so much, it was amazing.

My advice would be to go for it, and remember to take the good with the bad. Its not always going to be great (I have walked out of a practice), but you will learn so much, meet new people and see new places. I loved it.

Things have changed a bit since I locummed and I do not have much information about how agencies and umbrella companies work. You could phone the agencies and see what they advise.

All the best.

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

dean do — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:02:58 GMT

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

F1chick — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:45:41 GMT

I don't think you'll have a problem either. A1 are not that great for me as I am in Scotland and never get anything from them, might chase them up actually. Carlton Professional are great, Kirsty is lovely!!! kirsty@carltonprofessional.co.uk tell her f1chick said she was lovely (and barking mad)! :)

You'll find an agency that suits you. I use an umberella company, ask what it gets you, mine covers indeminty insurance too, although they aren't great at explaining what I can and can't claim for.

Make sure you point out when you need accommodation! There would be nothing wrse than turning up and them expecting you to stay somewhere else!

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Laura Graham — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:31:57 GMT

Hello!

I have recently entered the world of locumming too! I love it - and the pay isn't too shabby!! I am signed up with A1 Locums - they are brilliant, there is quite a lot of stuff to fill in to start with, but i get at least 2 emails a day with jobs going! - both last minute stuff or jobs for the future. Your current location is taken into account. Last month, I had 2 phonecalls, one was for a job at a hydrotherapy centre just 5 miles away, I did it for 3 weeks but it wasn't really my thing (i got paid for the time I worked) and then I got a phonecall from A1 Locums when I told them I no longer worked at the hydro centre, offering me a position at the local RSPCA hospital - I am LOVING it! (I get £12 ph!). A1 Locums don't take a pay cut from you at all, and the pay comes directly from your employer. I am working with PAYE tax, and that works fine for me :)

Hope that's helped :)
Visit http://www.a1locums.com/

Laura xx

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Paulette — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:16:46 GMT

No VDS you need to do yourself. You can do it online.

Taxes etc either have to do yourself self-employed or register with an umbrella company (up to you to arrange this not agency) and then they do your taxes etc for a fee. You can also be paid through an umbrella company without an agency so you can approach practices yourself but you must make the practice aware before you take the job that this is how you want to be paid :)

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Dreamcatcher — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:01:51 GMT

Fabulous, thank you! If I sign with an agency do they sort out all my taxes/VDS insurance for me? Or do I have to do that seperately? xx

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Paulette — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:54:12 GMT

also i think it's a good idea for everyone to locum at some point in their life (especially if newly qualified) because really opens your eyes to how things are done differently, builds your confidence and is good money. also try and locum in a few hospitals if you haven't trained in one as this will really help you in so many ways as in your first qualified year you are still learning loads and really interesting cases :)

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Paulette — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:51:57 GMT

Well said! I have only locumed since I qualified. As long as you are confident meeting new people, competent as an RVN (which you are because you have just qualified (congratulations)!) then you'll be fine :)

I would prob recommend agencies to start you off as they do all the searching for you, as you get into it maybe go self-employed as it will prob work out better for you money wise. Also def sign up to an umbrella company if you're unsure how to do your own taxes etc. I use Eden they are very good. Remember to get your own VDS insurance aswell :) Good luck :)

PS there are loads of threads on here re starting as a locum just search for them

Re: Locumming as a newly Qualified?

Charmaloo88 — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:44:18 GMT

I have literally just joined the world of locum work, I applied to an ad on here for a local practice for a couple of weeks and within 48 hours I'd managed to fully book myself into next year! You can go through an agency who will pay you or do what I'm doing - self employed. I wouldn't worry about being newly qualified effecting work, RVNs are like gold dust right now and 4 years in practice under any title is better than none! Go for it :)