Considering Locum work ...

Re: Considering Locum work ...

Kim Buckley — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:30:18 GMT

I'm going to be starting locum work in a couple of weeks! Never done it before as always been a bit scared to but thought I would bite the bullet and give it a shot. Feeling quite excited about it all now!

Re: Considering Locum work ...

salliee5 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:51:16 GMT

I am not so sure to be honest about the insurance being offered by the practices, I'd like to think that in most cases it is, but last year I learned the hard way, got bitten (through no fault of my own - bad protocols actually) I was coverevd by any insurance, two weeks in hospital, two operations and no pay what so ever and obviously unable to work!

Since then I have rereas and reread any contract I am offered and often you are not entitled to sick pay or covered by the practice insurance. Hopefully though I am just unlucky where I go and this is not a normality, but it happens more often than not.

It is possible to get a locum insurance cover though I can't remember the name of the company, for me at the time it worked out at £30 a month and I was heading into full time study at the time so didn't go through with it.

BUT please don't let it put you off (sorry not my intention) locumming is fantastic, I just love it and wouldn't do anything else, I just learned about the insurance the hard way

Re: Considering Locum work ...

denise laughlin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:54:54 GMT

James- do it! Everything you have said in your first post indicates why you should be taking advantage of the position your in, young free and qualifed!! Get out there are see the world..or maybe start with the UK. Dont go fannying around with self employment or umbrella companies or what not yet. Give Anne at a1 locums a buzz and tell her what your after, she'll get you sorted right out. Insurance is covered by the practice that your working for and all you neeed to do is hand them your P45 on day one. If you decide locuming is for you then you can start to work on word of mouth and go self employed ect but theres really no need when your just starting out, theres enough work and money around so not need the hassle.

Go for it and enjoy it!

Re: Considering Locum work ...

James Kilgour — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:39:08 GMT

Hi,

Many thanks for all of your help and advice, i'll look into it this week. You've definately pointed me in the right direction!

Many thanks,
James

Re: Considering Locum work ...

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:11:46 GMT

I would never touch an umbrella company go self employed it is dead easy. I have a friend who is an accountant and setting up on his own who is not expensive and happy to help Chris Ashton cashton79@hotmail.co.uk he can help with info and books.

I have a small agreement form l send out to avoid problems l think l am the only person uses them but they make sense.

Agencys best are A1 locums- Ann or Shona Hostler-Jenny

Re: Considering Locum work ...

salliee5 — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:59:28 GMT

Hi James,

I have been locuming on and off for years now and I love it. It offers you such an insight into other practices, other skills and methods etc. I have learned so much more from my time locuming than the four years I spent in one practice.

Benefits are you can choose where you locum and for how long. No more worrying about whether you'll be able to take those holidays or get the time off etc, you're your own boss. When I take on a position I always say I'll do one week first, rather than for example the 3 month stint, just in case it's not such a nice place to be. This has only happed once mind you, where I worked only a week of a longer stint.

As a locum you tend, maybe just my experience, to be in theatre most of the time, or wards as it is the part of the job that doesn't change so much where ever you might be. Different practices and vets have different protocols regarding what they will and will not let their nurses do, so go in open minded. You can also be considered an 'expensive' member of staff compared to other permanent members of staff so you may end up doing alot of cleaning when it's quiet to ensure they 'get their moneys worth', but this doesn't happen very often.

The really sad thing I find, is not being around to follow cases up, you may spend two weeks with a patient and then not see them again :( but usually people will keep in touch! I have made so many friends, seen places I never would have been to before. I have a permanent base in London, so tend to only do shorter locum periods, I am also studying for a degree in Zoology and I find that I can get work easily to fit around my schedule.

You need to sign up with an agency and there are many out there, some a lot better than others but really I wouldn't want to name names! I have never been self employed and always go on the practices payroll for the period I am there. HUGE disadvantage to this and I have never sorted it, although there must be a way around it, is that I always pay too much tax but then end up with a lovely lump sum back from HMRC at the end of the tax year!

If you do go the self emplyed route there are umbrella companies that will charge you a small fee and sort out your tax for you, but only worthwhile if it is a long term situation. The agenices advise on this usually.

I would recommend riging some agencies, and have a chat, don't be pushed into anything. You could always try some weekend locum work alongside your current job to see how you get on?

Good luck,

Sally