Thinking of becoming a medical locum? Check out this post to find the top five reasons to take the leap and becoming a locum.

Medical professionals become locums for all kinds of reasons. After speaking to some of our Omega Medical regulars, I’ve compiled a list of the top five.

1.Control

As I explained in my last blog, being in complete control of your working conditions is an excellent way to avoid burnout because you can achieve the balanced life that so many medical professionals want but don’t get.

It means that you choose where, when and how you work, instead of having to accept what’s allocated. You’re free to take two months off during ski season, work just three days a week or only accept school-hour shifts. You can prioritise assignments close to home, or travel and build up your career at the same time. Many medical professionals find this freedom changes their lives for the better.

2.Variety

One of the top complaints from permanent staff is that their work has become boring. Same place, same people, same medical conditions. This is rarely true when you’re a locum.

Your assignments will expose you to a vast range of specialists, patients, facilities and geographies. You will encounter pathologies you haven’t seen before, learn different techniques and gain new perspectives on old problems. Not only will a broader experience make you more engaged with work, it will strengthen your resume.

3.Patients

Locums have no teaching obligations, stand apart from internal politics and have a much smaller administrative burden than staff members. All they have to focus on is patient care - the main reason most people join the medical profession in the first place.

The average locum experiences far more face to face patient time than their permanent equivalent. They also have the opportunity to enhance their patient skills by working assignments around professional development courses or stepping outside their comfort zone to work in remote areas of Australia or a developing country.

4.Flexibility

Locum assignment come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe you’re a new doctor hoping a locum assignment will lead to a permanent job, or semi-retired and wanting to keep your skills up to date. You could be building a portfolio career, in between jobs or keen to live as a local in another country. Whatever your requirements, it’s possible to build your locum career around them.

To make the most of the flexibility, have clear parameters about what you want - and don’t want - for key factors such as working hours, geographical location, type of facility and assignment duration. That means having clear goals, whether you want to improve your golf swing, spend time with your new baby or start a research project you’re passionate about.

5.Money

While locum work can be lucrative, how much you will be paid depends on factors such the facility’s location, the length of the assignment and your skills and experience.

In general, you’re likely to be earning more than your full-time equivalent on a daily basis, and if you’re working away from home, your accommodation and vehicle costs will be paid for by the employing facility. There’s usually also plenty of opportunity to take on more highly paid shifts.

On the downside, whether you want them or not, you may find yourself with unpaid days off in between assignments.



My advice is to factor in the money - you don’t want to end up out of pocket - but don’t make it the main reason for choosing to be a locum. As with many things in life, it’s a trade-off. You may decide the other reasons I’ve outlined are enough, and earning more money is just a bonus.