So, you are considering becoming a locum doctor, but you are not yet sure if this is the right job for you. Like any other job, being a locum comes whit advantages and disadvantages that we will discuss in the following article.
The pros:
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Flexibility
The best aspect of this type of job is that you can decide where and when you are going to work. You don’t have a boss. If you don’t want to work for a holiday, you can even choose a place where are you going to work because you are the boss. If you need extra cash, you can just work more hours, it is that simple. This flexibility is perfect for people that are looking to create a perfect work-life balance
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You create the schedule
As I previously stated, you are your boss. You can set your rates, and make the work schedule for the next month, or even a year. Most Locums can generate a very high daily pay, in some cases, it can be even higher than those of a regular doctor.
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Constant change
This one is totally up to you to decide. Do you prefer to work in one place, or do you like to switch it up? With time, coming to the same work environment can become dull, boring, and even stressful. If you are like me, work starts to take a mental toll on the psyche. Having an opportunity to change locations can be viewed as a sort of vacation. This is a bald statement, but everything is new and fresh. You get to meet new people, make connections and you get to see different types of systems. The last part is especially important because it allows you to separate good from wrong in the future. So, you will come across the good and bad parts of the job faster than working at just one place. So, this can be a really good chance to learn about the job and a great opportunity to see what can locum doctor jobs offer.
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You can go abroad
If the spot for a job is open, you can apply for it. Any English-speaking nation is an opportunity for you. This can be a wonderful experience which allows you to see different cultures and meet new people. It also pushes you out of your comfort zone, which is always good in any job.
The cons:
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Uncertainty
The drawback of working like a locum is that you live with uncertainty. There is no guarantee that you are going to work as many hours as you want, and you will not always get the high-paid rate that you want to charge. The other aspect of this topic is the competition which can vary, in some places, there isn`t going to be enough work while in others there will be plenty. Also, you can not plan to have a fixed income because you will not know what are you going to earn from month to month. For some people, this can be a big issue, so maybe being a locum is the best choice for someone that’s looking for a part-time job.
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Isolation
If you are a social person, this may not be the job for you. Being a locum can be lonely, you will come to the clinic, they will show you to your room and you will start to examine the patients. After a couple of hours of work, you will just stand up and leave, as you have never been there in the first place. It doesn’t have to be like this, but it is important to understand that this situation can easily happen.
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Traveling
Traveling is not always a positive thing, I listed it as a positive but this is one of those things that goes both ways. At the start, it will be fun. Meeting new people and exploring new landscapes doesn’t sound too bad, but wait, you will get used to it with time. Put that on the side, you may be forced to look for a job outside of your local area because of the large competition. Constant travel will make a tool on your body, and it will increase your expenses because of transport.
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Not your practice
You are not the boss, so you need to adapt to the procedures that are put in place in your working space. Even if you have an idea and the experience which is needed to put it in motion, you will how to follow the orders from other people that are above you in the working hierarchy. This can be so annoying and frustrating, but at least you can always choose a different clinic to work for.
