Category: Locum Life

Finding Your Mentor: A Guide for Locum Pharmacists

Posted on | by Locumate

Mentorship is a vital aspect of professional growth and development, playing a crucial role in the success of all pharmacists, including locum pharmacists. A mentor provides guidance, support, and advice to a mentee throughout their professional journey. In the field of pharmacy, mentors assist pharmacists in navigating the complexities of their work, from technical aspects of medication management to interpersonal skills required to interact with patients and healthcare professionals.

But how do you find a mentor, and what should you look for in a mentor? And once you’ve found a mentor, how do you get the most out of the mentoring experience? Let’s take a closer look.

Finding a Mentor

Finding a mentor can be a daunting task, especially for locum pharmacists who work in multiple locations. However, there are several avenues you can explore to find a mentor. One option is to reach out to professional organisations such as Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) or the Pharmacy Guild. These organisations may have mentorship programs or be able to connect you with potential mentors. 

Another option is to reach out to colleagues or managers at the various pharmacies where you work. These individuals may be able to provide guidance and support or connect you with other pharmacists who would make good mentors. Additionally, social media platforms such as LinkedIn can be an excellent way to reach out to someone who aligns with your goals and interests and can further help develop your skills.

What to Look for in a Mentor

When seeking a mentor, it’s important to look for someone who has experience and expertise in the areas where you need support. For example, if you need guidance on how to succeed in the world of IT in pharmacy or navigate locum pharmacy, you should look for a mentor who has experience in that area. It’s also essential to find a mentor who is a good communicator, patient, and willing to invest time and effort into the relationship. The mentor should be someone who is approachable and open to feedback, as this will facilitate a productive and supportive mentoring experience.

Getting the Most out of the Mentoring Experience

Once you’ve found a mentor, it’s important to establish clear expectations and goals for the mentoring relationship. This could include setting regular meetings, identifying specific areas for improvement, and establishing timelines for achieving goals. Communication is key to a successful mentoring relationship. Be open and honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Be receptive to feedback and willing to act on the advice and guidance provided by your mentor. It’s also crucial to take ownership of your development. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, and be willing to put in the effort required to achieve your goals.

Mentorship is a powerful tool for professional growth and development in the field of pharmacy. Don’t be afraid to seek out a mentor – it could be just what you need to take your career to the next level. Remember to look for someone with experience and expertise in the areas where you need support, and to establish clear expectations and goals for the mentoring relationship. And above all, be open, receptive, and proactive in your development – the sky’s the limit!

Thriving Outside Your Comfort Zone: A Guide to Growing as a Pharmacist through Challenging Experiences

Posted on | by Locumate

As a locum pharmacist, it’s common to find yourself in unfamiliar territory, whether you’re working in a new environment, with unfamiliar colleagues, or dealing with new patients. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a challenging but rewarding experience that can help you grow both personally and professionally. In this article, we’ll explore how you can embrace challenging experiences and get the most out of them as a locum pharmacist.

Growing as a Pharmacist -Embrace the Challenge

The first step to getting the most out of a challenging experience is to embrace it. Rather than seeing it as a negative, try to see it as an opportunity for growth. Facing obstacles may not always be pleasant, but they can guide you in where to go next. Obstacles shift our perspective by equipping us to handle what is thrown our way.

Instead of viewing setbacks as roadblocks, choose to see them as opportunities for self-improvement. Leaning on your mentors during difficult times can also be beneficial in providing advice or a different outlook on the situation (see our article on mentorship for more information on the importance of mentors and finding a mentor).

Be Prepared

Before stepping into a challenging situation, it’s important to be prepared. This means researching and learning as much as possible about the new environment or situation you’ll be working in. You can ask other pharmacists who have worked in that particular pharmacy or area before, research the area or pharmacy branch online, or reach out to the person who hired you for more information.

Utilising the chat functionality in the Locumate app can be particularly useful in ensuring effective communication between you and the pharmacy. It will allow for an exchange of information to ensure that you are well-prepared before you start your shift. Visit the AppStore or Google Playstore to download Locumate.

Growing as a Pharmacist – You have to keep an open mind

When you step out of your comfort zone, it’s important to keep an open mind. You may encounter new ways of working or different perspectives from your new colleagues. Try to be open to these new experiences and ideas, and learn as much as you can from them. This can help you develop new skills and perspectives that you can bring back to your work as a pharmacist, professionally and personally.

Learn from Your Mistakes

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a challenging experience, and you may make mistakes along the way. However, it’s important to learn from these mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth. Take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what you could do differently in the future. Reflecting with a mentor can also be beneficial. This can help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future and become a better pharmacist overall.

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, taking care of yourself is important when stepping out of your comfort zone. Challenging experiences can be mentally and emotionally taxing, so it’s important to practise self-care. This can mean taking breaks when you need them, getting enough sleep, eating well, and doing activities that help you relax and recharge. If you require additional support, the Pharmacists’ Support Service is available all year round (every day from 8 am to 11 pm AEDT). The service provides a listening ear over the telephone to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and students.

Professional pharmacist explaining prescription A Guide to Growing as a Pharmacist through Challenging Experiences

Embracing challenging experiences can be a rewarding experience for locum pharmacists. By embracing the challenge, being prepared, keeping an open mind, learning from your mistakes, and taking care of yourself, you can get the most out of these experiences and grow both personally and professionally. So, the next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, take a deep breath and see it as an opportunity for growth.

6 Key Factors to Consider Before Starting Your Locum Pharmacy Adventure!

Posted on | by Locumate

Elevate Your Pharmacy Career with Locum Pharmacy Work

Are you ready to take your pharmacy career to the next level? Locum pharmacy work may be just the thing for you! But before you dive in, there are some important things you need to consider.

1.  Pay and Benefits 

Here are six essential factors to keep in mind. Starting with pay and benefits: Do your research and compare rates and benefits for different locum positions. Locumate makes it easy to compare remuneration and benefits, so you can understand your earning potential and what benefits (such as travel and accommodation) are on offer. Plus, don’t forget to apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) – it’s free and is required for most contracting and locum work.

2. Gain Valuable Experience

Gain Experience: Start by working with an experienced dispensary team, preferably with other pharmacists on duty, who can provide guidance and advice. Ask questions and learn from their expertise.

3.  Availability 

Availability: Be aware of your availability and consider whether you’re willing to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, holidays and evenings. Some pharmacies may require you to work outside of the usual “9 to 5”, so make sure you’re able to commit to the work schedule.

4. Considering Location for Your Locum Pharmacy Career

Location: Think about the locations you’re willing to work in, including rural or remote areas. These positions are often in higher demand and offer higher rates.  Pharmacy owners may also decide to organise and cover accommodation and travel costs as part of the benefits they offer. 

5. Familiarising Yourself with Different Practice Settings in Locum Pharmacy

Practice Setting: Familiarise yourself with different pharmacy settings and services offered, including Opioid Replacement Therapy, Dose Administration Aid Services and nursing home management. Different pharmacies may also use a variety of dispensing softwares including Fred, Z Software and many more (Brush up on each and put yourself ahead by using our ‘Dispense Software Cheat Sheet’). Try out different environments early in your career to discover what you enjoy and where you excel.

6. The Role of Professional Development in Locum Pharmacy Work

Professional Development: Keep learning and growing as a pharmacist. Locum work can provide exposure to a variety of practice settings, but professional development may be more challenging to achieve as an individual. It’s important to continue learning and growing as a pharmacist. PSA have a variety of online CPD courses that will help to expand your skill set, keep up to date with AHPRA CPD requirements and become a more diverse locum. 

two female pharmacists wearing white coats back to back, highlighting the benifits of pay next day locumate feature. Locum Pharmacy work

Advancing Your Career with Locum Pharmacy Work

Make the most of your early career and take the leap into locum pharmacy work. Know your worth and don’t stop growing as a pharmacist. Considering these six factors, you’ll be set up for success and ready to run!

Unlock Your Success as a Pharmacy Locum: Master the Art of Communication!

Posted on | by Locumate

Effective Communication: An Essential Skill for Pharmacy Locums

As a pharmacy locum, clear and effective communication is essential to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of patients. Building relationships with patients and working with diverse teams requires strong communication skills. So, how can you sharpen your communication skills and excel in your role?

The Role of Active Listening for Pharmacy Locums

Actively listen: When working with patients and colleagues, show that you are fully engaged in the conversation. Hold appropriate eye contact and avoid distractions such as mobile phones. Use open-ended questions when speaking with patients to gain a better understanding of their needs and actively listen to their responses.

Practising Empathy as a Pharmacy Locum

Practice empathy: To better understand the perspective of the person you are communicating with, put yourself in their shoes. Focus on enhancing your EQ to build stronger relationships with patients and colleagues.

Conveying Clear and Confident Messages as a Pharmacy Locum

Speak clearly and confidently: It is important to convey clear and concise messages to patients and healthcare professionals. Use confident body language and tone of voice to reinforce your message and build trust and rapport.

Adapting Communication Styles in Pharmacy Locum Work

Be adaptable: Communication styles vary from person to person. Be aware of the communication style and health literacy level of the person you are speaking with and adapt your own style accordingly. Adjust your language and tone to suit the workplace.

The Importance of Visual Aids for Pharmacy Locums

Use visual aids: Visual aids such as diagrams and graphs can be helpful in explaining complex information to patients, especially those with low health literacy. Using a table with images of medications and how to take them can go a long way in ensuring patient safety and building rapport.

Asking Questions: A Key Communication Skill for Pharmacy Locums

Ask questions: If you are unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This demonstrates engagement and interest, and ensures you have all the information you need to provide the best care possible.

Portrait of confident female pharmacist in pharmacy locum work

Excelling in Your Pharmacy Locum Career Through Effective Communication

As a pharmacy locum, communication is a critical part of your role. By practising active listening, empathy, clear speaking, adaptability, using visual aids, and asking questions, you can improve your communication skills and succeed in your career.

Visit the AppStore or Google Playstore to download Locumate.

From ‘register chick’ to Locumate co-founder

Posted on | by Niamh Foley

Our co-founder Kavita Nadan got her start in pharmacy on the cash register. Since then, she’s managed a pharmacy in rural Victoria, become a managing partner, and started Locumate. 

“As an owner/pharmacist and managing partner, I was hiring locums a lot. The whole process was broken. We realised that we needed to put locums at the forefront of this as well as the owners.”

“We needed to make a platform that was going to suit the needs of both parties.”

So she did. 

The importance of planning ahead 

Posted on | by Niamh Foley


Flexibility and Planning in Locum Pharmacy

One of the biggest drawcards of being a locum pharmacist is the flexibility of planning your work life it offers. Being able to work around your schedule and find and accept shifts that work for you – rather than the other way around – is crucial. Last minute shifts can help pharmacies who might suddenly be stuck without staff, and can be great for locums whose schedules might have changed and are happy to take quick shifts at short notice. 

The Role of Long-Term Planning in Locum Work

But, whether you’re a pharmacy or a locum, it’s important to remember that locum work doesn’t always have to be last-minute. Something we’ve noticed on Locumate is that shifts in three, four, and even five months’ time are already starting to book out. 

Advantages of Long-Term Planning for Locums

What this means is that locums have the choice to plan their schedule months in advance, being able to arrange work shifts around long-term plans such as travel, family celebrations or other commitments. It also means that in times of high demand, such as holiday seasons and public holidays, locums can accept shifts months ahead of time for peace of mind and planning purposes. If you’re working at multiple locations, getting ahead of your schedule can be a great organisational tool. 

Planning Ahead: Benefits for Pharmacies

For pharmacies, the high demand for shifts in advance means it’s possible to plan schedules for the next quarter and beyond, also bringing peace of mind and organisation. Christmas might be six months away, but the further ahead you can plan for it, the more on top of it you’ll be when the time does come whizzing by and you’re suddenly in need of extra staff.

Locumate: A Tool for Effective Planning

Posting jobs in Locumate in advance can help you prepare for what you can. Of course, it’s impossible to plan everything, and last-minute shifts will always be an option for both pharmacies and locums. But next time you’re thinking beyond tomorrow, consider posting or accepting shifts in advance. Future (organised) you will thank you for it.

How much should locums be charging?

Posted on | by Niamh Foley

The pandemic continues, the job market is tight, and it’s a candidate’s market so how much should locums be charging? Nowhere is this more obvious than in the pharmacy sector. We know that locum pharmacists are filling short and long term staffing needs due to increased demand and an overall workforce shortage in the sector. 

It’s important that pharmacies recognise this environment and that locums understand their value in this climate. 

We’ve found that pharmacies setting jobs at $40 – $50 per hour don’t get those jobs filled due to lack of demand. 

And, with a generally low Pharmacy Industry Award, we believe in giving locums the ability to set their own rates, taking into account their scope, experience, market rate, and preference.

So, it’s for these reasons that we recommend locums set their rate above $60-70 per hour. Of course, we understand that everyone is different and that this is all dependent on the locum’s location, experience and preference. 

Ultimately, understanding the current climate for both locums and pharmacies is key!