A locum doctor, sometimes referred to as a locum tenens doctor, is a qualified physician who is temporarily covering a position within a medical facility. Research has shown that between 50% and 80% of the employees who work within hospitals are temporary staff, of which many of the locum jobs are contracted though medical recruitment agencies. The majority of locum positions within medical organisations and institutions are for qualified doctors. Some of the more practiced locum professions include general practice, general surgery, anaesthesiology and psychiatry.

For many recently qualified doctors, locum jobs are the preferred position as it gives the individual an opportunity to travel and work in a range of medical institutions, gaining valuable and diverse experience. For some, securing a locum position provides the opportunity for the individual to be exposed to a range of medical professions before deciding upon the area of specialisation. However, it is not only large medical organisations that utilise the services of doctors searching for locum jobs. Countless small medical practices utilise locum doctors to work for a specified time per week, in reaction to the demands of the local community that the medical facility operates, or providing specialist knowledge on a part time basis. Alternatively, smaller medical operations, such as local general practitioners, will utilise the services of a locum to cover their practice in times of vacation or leave. This ensures a continuity of service in the community that the GP operates within.

The majority of locum jobs are sourced through specialist recruitment agencies, and as a result, many of the available locum doctors are registered with these agencies. Hospitals and other medical institutions that have had long standing relationships with such agencies realise the benefits of such a relationship. The recruitment agency interviews the individuals, checks their credentials and references and allocates the most suitable applicant once the locum jobs become available, as directed by the medical facilities that it serves.

For the health professional, there are many benefits for accepting a position as a locum doctor. With the ability to accept the shifts that suit, and work in the hospitals that are best suited to your location and specialisation, you are able to take control over your own life. For those doctors with young families, locum jobs provide the opportunity for them to still be active in their medical profession while accessing the time they need to spend with their family. Due to a reduced level of overheads, a considerable increase in pay rates can be experienced compared with that of resident or permanent positions. The option for full time hospital staff to supplement their income with higher income locum work is a popular decision. There are numerous benefits in applying for various locum jobs throughout the world. Why not contact a specialist medical recruitment agency today and see what your options are.