How to Become a Locum Doctor

A locum doctor works when and if they want at locations of their choice, rather than working in just the one specific area – whether it’s a hospital, facility or doctor practice. Many doctors choose to become freelance after completing medical school and board certificate.

It is estimated that as many as 50% – 80% of doctors working in hospitals, may work there on a temporary basis.

There are many advantages of working as a freelance doctor, for example:

• Freedom to work when and wherever you want
• Guaranteed work due to such a high demand
• Higher rates of pay
• The opportunity to expand both skills and experience
• Having the opportunity to work in different places; including abroad.

Finding Work as a Locum Doctor

A useful method of finding work is to send out letters along with a well-constructed CV, to local practices.

You also need to think about the type of provider you want to work for, such as:

• Local accident and emergency departments
• Primary care trust locum banks
• Private sector services
• Locum agencies

Agency Work as Locum Doctor

Whether you want to work part time or full time will be a personal choice, and a good agency will be able to offer you lots of choices, so that you can pick the right job opportunity to suit you.                                                               

Going through an agency can be extremely helpful as it makes finding a job much quicker and easier, the agency will also be aware of requirements of medical work, both from an employee and employer point of view.  It can also be useful if looking for work in an area that you are not familiar with.

For help and information on locum doctor agencies visit:

• MPP Locums – One of the UK’s largest and fastest growing medical recruitment agencies.  They provide flexible temporary and permanent jobs for all grades of locums and doctors.  They are also an approved supplier of NHS work.
• National Association of Sessional GP’s (NASGP) – An independent lobbying and information service for locum, salaried and retainer GP’s
• Team 24 – A healthcare recruitment specialist providing healthcare workers a wide range of temporary placements.
• ID Medical – A locum consultancy that supplies medical professionals to a variety of clients worldwide.
• It is also important to note that you will need to be on the Performers List register through your local Primary Care Organisation if you want to work as a GP contractor to the NHS.

Benefits of Freelancing

There are many benefits to freelancing – being a regular locum for several practices gives you an opportunity to often have more income than what you would expect from a full time salary.  Other benefits include: flexibility, variety, holiday whenever you choose, being your own boss and opportunities outside the NHS.

You can ask around and check the medical press to find out going rates in your area. You can then use our Freelancer Calculator to work out exactly how much you could potentially take home as a freelancer.

An example of Locum Doctor Rates of Pay:

(http://www.mpplocums.co.uk/faq-for-locum-doctors/locums-frequently-asked-questions/what-are-mpp-locum-doctor-pay-rates)

As you will be responsible for NHS pension contributions to your primary care trust; national insurance contributions; tax to the Inland Revenue (be guided by an accountant); and chasing payment through invoices it is important for you to keep on top of your paperwork. 

It is useful and advisable to use the services of an accountant for guidance and for completion of your tax returns for the tax year.

Easy Accountancy charges a fixed fee of only £30 VAT a month

We don’t want our clients to be scared to contact us and potentially lose out on valuable tax saving advice, that's why we only charge a fixed fee of £30 VAT a month. It’s important when you first start out freelancing that you run your business in the best way possible. As a start up you’ll probably have loads of questions, and will really appreciate the fact you can call your accountant as many times as you, like without the fear of racking up large bills.

You may also find the following pages helpful:

• Locum Doctors, Advantages and Disadvantages of going Limited
• How to Become a Locum Pharmacist
• How to Become a Self Employed Dentist