Locums Archives - Locumate

Can you make a career out of being a locum?

Posted on June, 8 2023 | by Locumate

A career as a locum pharmacist can be both rewarding and lucrative. Locum pharmacists are highly sought after in the healthcare industry due to their flexibility and expertise. They provide temporary or contract-based pharmacy services, filling in for regular pharmacists who are on leave or during peak periods. Here are some key points to consider when considering a career as a locum pharmacist:

Flexibility and Variety As A Locum:

One of the main advantages of being a locum pharmacist is the flexibility it offers. You have the freedom to choose when and where you work, allowing you to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle. This flexibility also provides opportunities to gain experience in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, community pharmacies, or even working in remote areas. This variety can enhance your professional skills and broaden your knowledge base, making a career as a locum very attractive.

Competitive Remuneration:

Locum pharmacists often enjoy higher pay rates compared to permanent positions due to the temporary nature of their work. As a locum, you may negotiate your rates based on factors like location, experience, and the demand for your services. This can result in a potentially higher income compared to a traditional employed pharmacist role.

Professional Development Along Your Career As A Locum:

Working as a locum pharmacist exposes you to a diverse range of pharmacy practices, systems, and teams. This exposure can significantly contribute to your professional development by expanding your clinical skills, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, working in different environments allows you to learn from various professionals, which can enhance your overall expertise and knowledge.

Networking Opportunities:

As a locum pharmacist, you have the chance to network with professionals across various healthcare settings. Building relationships with pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can open doors to new career opportunities, referrals, and valuable connections. This network can be advantageous when looking for future locum assignments or even transitioning into a permanent position if desired.

Work-Life Balance:

Being a locum pharmacist allows for greater control over your work-life balance. You have the ability to choose where and how often you work, enabling you to allocate time for personal commitments, family, hobbies, or other interests. This flexibility can lead to reduced burnout and increased overall job satisfaction.

Personal and Professional Growth – What A Career As A Locum Has In Store:

Working as a locum pharmacist requires adaptability, quick learning, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into different work environments. This experience can foster personal and professional growth by challenging you to constantly acquire new skills, improve communication abilities, and excel in diverse settings. This adaptability can be valuable in future career endeavours and can set you apart in the competitive job market.

In conclusion, a career as a locum pharmacist offers a unique blend of flexibility, variety, professional development, and financial rewards. It allows you to tailor your work to suit your lifestyle while providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you enjoy diverse experiences, independence, and the ability to make a positive impact on patient’s lives, becoming a locum pharmacist can be a fulfilling and successful career choice.

The benefits of Pay Next Day

Posted on June, 7 2023 | by Locumate

In today’s fast-paced world, financial stability and flexibility are highly valued; one emerging trend that is gaining traction is the concept of “Pay Next Day.” Pay Next Day is a payment option allowing individuals to receive their wages for a day’s work the next day, rather than waiting for the traditional pay cycle. This article explores the numerous benefits of this innovative payment method and how it can enhance financial well-being for locums!

Pay Next Day – Improved Cash Flow:

One of the primary advantages of Pay Next Day is the improved cash flow it offers. By receiving wages the next day, locums can access their hard-earned money sooner and effectively manage their finances. This accelerated payment cycle can alleviate short-term financial burdens, such as unexpected expenses or urgent bills.

Financial Planning and Budgeting:

Pay Next Day empowers locums with greater control over their financial planning and budgeting. Knowing when and how much money will be available enables better budgeting decisions, allowing individuals to allocate funds more efficiently. With a clearer understanding of their income, pharmacists can proactively plan for expenses, prioritise savings, and work towards long-term financial goals (that dream holiday to Europe?).

Pay Next Day – Enhanced Employee Satisfaction and Productivity:

Pharmacies adopting Pay Next Day can significantly boost locum satisfaction and overall productivity. Timely payment of wages instils a sense of financial security and trust in the pharmacy-locum relationship. By ensuring that pharmacists have access to their wages without delay, pharmacists can create a positive work environment that enhances morale, reduces financial stress, and fosters increased productivity.

Empowering Gig Economy and Freelancers:

The rise of the gig economy and freelance work has transformed the employment landscape. Pay Next Day aligns perfectly with this shift by providing a payment option catering to independent workers’ unique needs. Freelancers and gig workers often face irregular income streams, making it challenging to manage their finances effectively. Pay Next Day offers them the ability to access their earnings quickly, helping them smooth out income fluctuations and create stability in their financial lives.

By providing immediate access to wages, this payment option empowers individuals to better manage their finances, reduce debt, and improve their overall financial well-being. With its potential to increase locum satisfaction and productivity, Pay Next Day is a win-win solution for both locums and pharmacies!

Finding Your Mentor: A Guide for Locum Pharmacists

Posted on April, 25 2023 | 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!

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

Posted on March, 2 2023 | 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.

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 March, 1 2023 | 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.

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.

Meet our Locum of the Month – October 2022!

Posted on November, 21 2022 | by Locumate

How much should locums be charging?

Posted on May, 11 2022 | 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!

“I’ve never had this feeling before”: what our locums are saying

Posted on April, 21 2022 | by Niamh Foley

Our automated invoicing and payments means that our locums spend less time on admin, and more time doing what they love. listen to what our locums are saying. Just ask Thi, one of our locums in Melbourne.

Putting locums at the forefront of Locumate

Posted on March, 3 2022 | by Niamh Foley

Our co-founder Surge Singh tells us how Locumate works and the benefits for locums. Plus, get a sneak peek of what the app and its different features look like!

“It’s just as easy as going onto the app, asking questions on the chat function, and grabbing the shift.”

Watch the video below to learn more!

Category: Locums