Locum Doctor

A locum doctor refers to a doctor who does not have a fixed place of work but will fulfil the duties of a doctor when hospitals or surgeries are short staffed or the regular doctor is absent due to holidays etc. A locum doctor can work in any medical setting whether it be private based or for the NHS. If you are a locum you can take on various contracts usually through agencies that specialise in supplying locum doctors.

In the UK locum doctors are used widely within all areas of the NHS, both in GP surgeries and hospital settings. It is thought that throughout the UK there can be nearly 10,000 locum doctors working each day in various settings usually working though agencies that are approved by the NHS. As well as working within the NHS, locum doctors are often needed for private sector healthcare positions and even in positions within the Army, RAF and police force.

Many doctors once qualified only want to work as a locum doctor as they like the variety of the work they are offered and are usually paid more than if they were in a full time position. Obviously the work is not guaranteed to last and you are unlikely to receive other benefits such as a pension or holiday pay. If you are thinking of becoming a locum doctor then you need to look at both the pros and cons involved. Locum work is good for gaining a lot of experience in many different areas and this may help you decide on an area of medicine that you would like to specialise in.

If you are a qualified doctor and want to work as a locum doctor then it is best to register with a number of agencies who will be able to find you locum doctor vacancies. Being a locum doctor offers you more flexibility over what hours you work and where you work. It is likely to involve some travelling so having a car is a good option if you want to work as a locum.

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Medteam.co.uk is a healthcare team that provide support for Locum Doctor. We have a team of professional recruiters that have over 15 years experience; visit our site to see our Locum Doctor.

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