When can doctors start locuming?

If you're a Medical student or PGY-1 doctor, you may have heard other doctors mentioning locum work or locum tenens.

You may be wondering what locum work is and when can you start.

Locum derives from the word "locum tenens" which means a person working for a time or temporarily taking the place of another. It is mostly used to describe doctors. Locum doctors do exactly that, they fill roles for a time or temporarily take the place of another.

There are many great things about locum work, like the opportunity to travel to new places and learn new skills - and let's not forget the pay!

When can doctors start locuming in Australia?

Doctors in Australia can start locuming in PGY-2. A locum recruitment agency, like Medrecruit, can help you with everything from finding a role, to travel and accommodation and paperwork. We are a completely free service for doctors and we have over 2,000 doctor jobs waiting for you when you are ready.

When can doctors start locuming in New Zealand?

Doctors in New Zealand can start locuming in PGY-3. A locum recruitment agency, like Medrecruit, can help you with everything from finding a role, to travel and accommodation and paperwork. We are a completely free service for doctors and we have over 2,000 doctor jobs waiting for you when you are ready.

Why do doctors locum?

Doctors choose to locum for many reasons. Junior doctors love having the opportunity to gain new skills in different hospitals, get their rural hours up, and travel the country.

Another great reason to locum is that the pay is great and (in most cases) accommodation and travel are covered.

Our doctors have told us that locum work has helped them choose a career path, reclaim work-life balance, and pursue their passions outside of medicine.

Some doctors even make a lifestyle out of it!

How can a medical recruitment agency support locum doctors

Many doctors choose to do their locum work with a locum recruitment agency because it's free for doctors and saves a heap of time when it comes to logistics. When you register with a locum recruitment agency, like Medrecruit, the first thing that will happen is you will be matched with a Solution Specialist. They will get in touch with you to find out a bit more about what you are looking to achieve when it comes to your career or lifestyle goals.

They will then job search for you and send you opportunities (sometimes before they've reached the market). Medrecruit is Australasia's largest medical recruitment agency, we have double the number of jobs than the next largest. This means double the opportunity for you.

Once our dedicated Solution Specialist has found the right role for you, they will work with our team of Placement Specialists to organise your paperwork, travel, and accommodation. Then, after you've completed your shift, they will work with you to find your next one.

Working with a locum recruitment agency is designed to take as much logistics and stress as possible out of the process so you can focus on what you do best - medicine!