Tips on how to balance locum work with a full-time role

ereH A locum doctor fills part-time or temporary vacant shifts. For example, they may work in the place of a permanent doctor when that doctor is absent, or when a hospital or practice is short-staffed.

They can work solely as a locum doctor or they can pick up locum shifts around their permanent role. Doctors can start locum work after PGY 2 in Australia and PGY 3 in New Zealand.

There are many benefits to locum work one of the main reasons doctors undertake locum work is the money. Due to the short notice of some locum shifts or their rural locations, many locum positions offer great rates!

The shorter shifts and flexibility offered allows doctors to fit the work around their lifestyle and pursue their passions.. Locum work allows doctors to travel with work and see the country, and some doctors even make a lifestyle out of it. Locuming can be an excellent way to learn new skills, and work across a plethora of hospitals, or get your rural hours up.. Many doctors who have suffered burnout say a shift to locum work helped them overcome it and get back their work and life balance

Here are our tips on how to balance locum work with a full-time role:

1. Start small and don't over commit

If you are already working full-time but would like to try locuming also, the best first step is to give it a try. Commit to one or two shifts and see how you find the additional hours.

2. Keep work/life balance in mind

The work/life balance and mental wellbeing of our doctors is extremely important to us, that's why we recommend that you don't take on additional locum work without having days off in between. If you are locuming around your full-time role (or just full-time locuming) with us, our dedicated team of Solutions Specialists will make sure they find locum roles that give you breaks for work/life balance so you don't burnout..

3. Set realistic goals

It is important that you are realistic about the number of locum shifts you are able to commit to around your full-time job. As we said earlier, maintaining a work/life balance is of the utmost importance. If that means only picking up one locum shift a month in order to make sure you also have time for yourself that is better than risk burning out.

4. Talk to your existing role

Transparency is always a good option. Talk to your existing role and let them know you want to locum, locuming at new hospitals will allow you to learn new skills in different environments and it is likely they will be supportive of this. This open discussion could allow you to tailor your roster accordingly.

5. Plan ahead and work with your specialist

Planning your locum shifts around your full-time role is important. Decide what days you have free for locum work as in advance as you can. Let your Solution Specialist know and they can plan ahead and find work for you so you don't have to.