Where is best to start if you want locum work?

RE: Where is best to start if you want locum work?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 01:17:06 GMT

[quote user="Laura James"]

You also need to think about the type of practice you've worked in and what environment you like, for example if you like big, busy hospitals then tell the agency exactly what you're looking for and how far you're willing to travel - and how far before accomodation is required (if you want to go that far).

[/quote]

I agree with Laura - especially this bit , make absolutely certain the agency knows what you are and aren't expecting to do and confirm this with the practice. There is nothing worse that doing a 2week (14 day) stint and finding out on day 1 that you are the on call nurse for 10 of the nights because inspite of you telling the agency no on call they were keener on filling their vacancy and getting their cut than they were in looking after their locum. (and after 3 days working there it was pretty damned obvious why they were continuously advertising vacancies and ran the place on locums)

RE: Where is best to start if you want locum work?

fairydaze — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 22:14:00 GMT

Thank you both for the replies I'll start looking at all the options

RE: Where is best to start if you want locum work?

Laura James — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 20:49:29 GMT

Hi Fairydaze,

You have three options with regards to locuming - each have pros and cons.

1) Umbrella company - they will do all of your tax, NI and student loan (if you have one) and will charge you for this. Shop around - prices vary dramatically. Due to changes in the law, you are unable to claim any tax back if you use an umbrella company. Some now charge a much reduced rate because of this, some don't.

2) Self employed - Register as self employed and then use practices that will put you on their Payroll, be warned - many practices do not like this and won't take a self-employed nurse

2) Setting up your own limited company - this way you are still technically 'self employed' as you will own the company. You can then claim tax back among other bonuses. The down sides to this are that you then either need to employ an accountant to do your tax returns (which may cost about £600 per year) or you need to do them yourself. There is also the money involved in setting up and running your business.

Then get in touch with a locum agency - there are many out there, they are all free for you to use - they charge the practice for however long you're placed there. If the agency hasn't got anything you want then try another until you have what you want - there are many positions out there and not enough nurses to cover them so don't be afraid to be picky

Hope this helps

RE: Where is best to start if you want locum work?

Ems — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 15:03:49 GMT

Hi Fairydaze, yes - if you want to do locuming full-time you'll need to register as self employed or you can choose to go with an umbrella company but they'll take a cut of your wages for managing your finances, CPD etc.

If you search on the vetnurse.co.uk website you'll find a list of previous conversations regarding locuming which might help you and find your answer. Locuming is something I'm thinking of starting next year :)