Preparing for the first day of your new locum assignment? Be sure to read these useful A-Z tips from some experienced locums!

It’s day one of your new locum assignment in a place you’ve never worked before. How do you cope? Here’s an A-Z of advice from some experienced locums...

Administration

Even if your Locum Agent has provided details in advance, your new hospital or practice may want you to complete some paperwork. You’ll also have to pose for a security photo and collect your ID badge, parking pass and maybe a separate access pass.

Clothes

Even on a short assignment, you’ll be expected to dress smartly. If you take your own scrubs or white coat, you won’t have to go hunting for something that fits.

Doctor’s bag

You can’t assume all the standard equipment and supplies will be easy to find or even there. For peace of mind, it’s a good idea to take a doctor’s bag with basics such as a stethoscope and other tools of the trade. For a helpful list, click here.

Early bird

Getting there 30 minutes in advance gives you time to make introductions, orient yourself and make sure your consulting room has everything you need. Let reception know you’ve arrived then find the person you’re reporting to.

Food

Prepare a packed lunch so you can eat on the run and aren’t faced with expensive, poor quality food choices in the canteen or local snack bar.

Humour

You’ll win friends by not getting visibly frustrated when you get lost or forget names. Laugh it off, don’t let mistakes throw you, and thank anyone who helps.

Induction

In a large hospital, there will probably be a formal induction process but sometimes there’s no time or nobody is available. If you’re left to figure out things yourself, persuade someone to show you round and answer your questions.

Locum pack

Even if there’s no induction process, there’s probably a locum information pack This can be printed or online, so find out where it is then read it. You’ll learn about everything from locating emergency exits to getting an outside line on the phone, so it will save a lot of time and energy.

Orientation

As well as being able to get yourself around key working areas such as wards, consulting rooms and pharmacies, it’s important to know the location of more mundane needs - locker rooms, stationery cabinets, toilets, kitchens and so on.

Protocols

Ask about the facility’s protocols for common situations such as ordering blood tests, referring patients to specialists and issuing repeat prescriptions. These vary, so don’t assume that what applies elsewhere is correct here.

Questions

You don’t know what normal looks like around here and no induction covers everything, so be observant. Nobody wants to be a pest but if you don’t ask questions, you won’t be a productive member of the team.

“Chances are you can find an ally who is willing to assist you, some empathetic soul who already knows the drill and is willing to share it with you,” advises Dr Elizabeth Lumpkin, a locum anaesthesiologist.

Relationships

Your locum experiences stands or falls on other people. Patients, receptionists, specialists, doctors, nurses, porters – be friendly and helpful to them all from the first day. Always wear your name tag so you’re not just another faceless locum.

Systems

The quicker you learn the technology, the more efficient you’ll be. If there’s no training, ask someone to spend half an hour going through the facility’s programs, systems and intranet so you know how to access forms, patient notes and other resources.

Unwritten rules

There are unofficial hierarchies and rules in every workplace, so it’s best to be neutrally friendly to everyone until you know the environment better.

“Tread carefully. As one who has done both emergency and anaesthesia locums over the years, you have to keep your antennae wriggling!” says hospital locum Dr Michael Levis.