Five traps to avoid as a locum
Omega Medical
February 13, 2017
Find out what the top five traps and pitfalls you must avoid as a locum doctor.
As with any job, it’s easy to make mistakes as a rookie locum. Here’s a list of the most common pitfalls so you can look out for them.
1. An unbalanced lifestyle
It can be tempting to sacrifice your social life by running up long hours or accepting back-to-back assignments. After all, you want to establish a good reputation and the more you work, the more you earn. If you’re interstate and missing your usual social network, it can be particularly tempting to prioritise work. However, it’s a mistake.
Experienced locums appreciate that, if you manage your time correctly, you’ll enjoy a more balanced lifestyle as a locum than in a permanent job. They also understand that social isolation is a leading cause of doctor burnout.
Wherever you’re assigned, beware of overwork. If you’re working locally, make time to see friends and family. If you’re away, find people, organisations and places that match your personal interests and build some downtime into your day. You’ll be an all-round happier person, and get much more out of being a locum.
2. Neglecting professional development
Medicine is a fast-moving field where there’s always a new technique, approach or therapy to learn, but it can be challenging for locums to keep up.
Locums aren’t often part of the formal and information networks where regular employees hear about professional development (PD) opportunities. In addition, a locum contract doesn’t include PD leave or allowances, so you’ll have to pay the full course fee and attend on days when you could be earning.
Despite this, my advice is to stay up to date. Seek out suitable courses, subscribe to journals, ensure you’re on email distribution lists. Not only will your PD efforts ensure you don’t fall behind your peers and create more assignment opportunities, they will make you a better doctor.
3. Making assumptions
No two locum assignments are the same. The resources, equipment, rules and approaches vary enormously, even at neighbouring hospitals and practices. If you assume your new facility will be the same as your last one, you risk making mistakes.
Researching it before you begin is helpful. Your locum agent may have some advice, or connect you with other locums who’ve worked there. Once you’ve started work, be proactive. If you’re unsure about a process, ask. If there’s an orientation, attend it. If there’s a procedures manual, read it. The more you know, the faster you’ll get up to speed and the more confident you’ll be.
If you think you might return, keep a written or virtual record of important information so you can impress everyone next time.
4. Letting administration slip
It’s easy to forget about administration when you’re busy, so set aside some regular office time. That way, you won’t be faced with a paper mountain or caught out by a missed payment.
As well as standard professional obligations such as registrations and police checks, you’ll need to keep on top of billing, accounts, insurance and various aspects of business compliance. Having an accountant will reduce the burden but even then, you’re responsible for paying tax bills on time, chasing up late payments, collecting expense receipts and other administrative joys.
If you use a business software package, your life will be far easier. Also, your locum agency will probably take on some of the burden, so check what they do — and what they don’t.
5. Ignoring your family’s needs
You might think that because this is your career, only you should make decisions about where and when you work. But being a locum isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle choice that impacts your whole family. So it’s best to discuss any implications with them before accepting an assignment, not afterwards.
Think about it from their point of view. If the assignment involves weekend shifts and you have three sporty children, how will they all get to their games? Will you miss a wedding, a graduation, Christmas? If you’ll be interstate, how often will you call?
For a longer assignment, taking your family may be an option. If you do, what are the work opportunities for your partner? Are there suitable schooling choices? Be prepared to research all the options, and to turn down an opportunity that would be great for you but unworkable for other family members. There’s always another assignment around the corner.
Starting your career after an internship can feel unclear. You’ve got general registration and some experience under your belt, but the big question is what comes next. For most doctors in Australia, that next step is working as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO). RMO roles are where you build real clinical confidence, explore different specialties and, importantly, start to increase your earning potential, especially if you consider locum opportunities. This guide breaks down what RMO roles in Australia involve, what you can expect to earn and how to secure the right opportunity. What is an RMO? A Resident Medical Officer is a junior doctor who has completed internship (PGY1) and continues hospital-based training, typically at PGY2 and beyond. You’ll rotate through key departments such as: General medicine Surgery Emergency Paediatrics O&G Psychiatry These rotations are designed to broaden your clinical exposure while helping you decide on a long-term specialty. What you’ll actually be doing as an RMO RMO roles are hands-on and form the backbone of day-to-day hospital care. Typical responsibilities include: Managing admitted patients and reviewing results Developing and implementing management plans Communicating with patients, families and multidisciplinary teams Supporting registrars and consultants Responding to ward calls and clinical deterioration It’s a fast-paced role that builds both clinical ability and confidence quickly. RMO career pathway: from intern to registrar The early years of a medical career follow a clear hospital-based structure, with each stage building on the last. Intern (PGY1) The internship is the first year of clinical practice after graduation. Doctors complete supervised rotations in core areas such as medicine, surgery and emergency. Finishing this year leads to general registration with AHPRA, which allows you to progress into Resident Medical Officer roles and other junior doctor jobs in Australia. Resident Medical Officer (PGY2–PGY3+) After internship, doctors move into Resident Medical Officer jobs. This stage offers greater flexibility, with rotations across departments and the opportunity to explore areas of interest. Many RMOs use this time to strengthen their clinical skills, gain broader exposure and prepare for specialty training applications. It’s also where confidence grows in managing patients and working more independently within a team. Registrar Once accepted into a specialty training program, you become a registrar. This stage involves more focused training within a chosen field and leads towards fellowship under a relevant medical college such as the RACP, RACGP or RACS. Salary expectations for RMO jobs in Australia While salary is important, many RMOs also weigh up factors such as preferred rotations, access to specialty training opportunities, location and roster flexibility. Locum work can provide significantly higher earnings, while permanent positions often offer greater continuity and structured training. Permanent RMO salaries For full-time Resident Medical Officers, salaries typically range between $80,000 and $120,000 per year. This can vary slightly by state health system and may increase with postgraduate year level. In addition to base salary, most permanent roles include extra earnings through overtime, weekend shifts and on-call work. These additional payments can make a noticeable difference to overall income, particularly in busier departments or hospitals with extended rosters. Locum RMO rates Locum RMO jobs in Australia generally have higher hourly rates, often ranging from $80 to $150 per hour depending on demand, urgency and location. Hospitals in regional and remote areas tend to offer the highest rates due to ongoing workforce shortages. These roles may also include travel and accommodation, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. For many RMOs, locum work provides an opportunity to increase earnings while gaining experience in different clinical environments. Benefits of working as an RMO RMO roles play an important part in building clinical confidence, strengthening decision-making and shaping your long-term career direction. Build broad clinical experience Working across multiple departments strengthens your ability to manage a wide range of patient presentations. You can gain exposure to different conditions, treatment approaches and hospital workflows, which builds confidence in clinical decision-making. This experience becomes especially valuable when applying for competitive specialty training programs. Explore career direction Many junior doctors are still refining their interests after their internship. RMO roles give you the chance to spend time in different specialties, observe how teams operate and understand what day-to-day work looks like in each field. This stage is a key transition within junior doctor jobs in Australia and helps you choose a training pathway that aligns with your strengths and interests. Access flexible work through locum roles Locum RMO jobs provide more control over your schedule. You can take on short-term contracts between rotations, during breaks or while waiting for training program outcomes. This flexibility allows you to manage your workload while still gaining consistent clinical experience and maintaining your income. Work across different healthcare settings RMO roles in Australia are available in metro hospitals, regional centres and remote facilities. Each setting offers a different pace, level of responsibility and type of patient care. Regional and rural placements often provide broader hands-on experience, while metro hospitals offer exposure to specialised services and larger multidisciplinary teams. How to secure RMO jobs in Australia Competition can vary depending on location, timing and specialty interest. A clear approach improves your chances. 1. Maintain current registration General registration with AHPRA is essential for all Resident Medical Officers. Update your registration before applying. 2. Prepare a strong CV Your CV should highlight: Internship rotations Clinical experience Procedural skills Referees (consultants or senior registrars) Keep it concise and focused on hospital-based experience. 3. Be open to different locations Metro roles can be competitive. Expanding your search to regional or rural hospitals increases access to RMO job opportunities and often provides stronger clinical exposure. 4. Consider locum RMO jobs Locum work can help you: Gain experience quickly Fill employment gaps Build confidence in different environments Short-term placements also strengthen your CV for future permanent roles. 5. Apply early and stay responsive Hospitals recruit at different times throughout the year. Staying proactive and responding quickly to opportunities can make a significant difference. Find RMO jobs across Australia with Omega Medical Looking for the right RMO role can take time, especially when balancing hospital commitments and training plans. Omega Medical works with junior doctors to connect them with Resident Medical Officer jobs across metro, regional and remote hospitals, including both locum and permanent opportunities. Our consultants focus on matching your experience, preferred rotations and availability with doctor jobs that offer the right level of support and clinical exposure. We also assist with credentialing, onboarding and job coordination, so you can focus on your work. Submit your CV or contact the team to discuss current RMO job opportunities available now.
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