| So, you’re a doctor (or another health professional), | | | | employers around Australia? Without good |
| and you want to do some locum work. You might | | | | relationships with employers, you are unlikely to get the |
| want to make some extra money, gain experience in | | | | best work. |
| a new area, or have a working holiday. | | | | Do they have an outstanding candidate incentive |
| One of the great benefits of being a locum is that | | | | program (one that gives you a percentage of our fee |
| there will most likely be organisations lining up for your | | | | for all the work you do)? |
| services. | | | | You have your choice of medical locum agencies, so |
| You might be wondering - is it worth registering with a | | | | think about what else they offer you in terms of an |
| locum agency? | | | | incentive program. Some offer points programs, others |
| A medical locum agency can help you sift through all | | | | give you pens and lanyards. The more serious |
| of the offers, and be an advocate in the employment | | | | organisations will give you a straightforward cash |
| market. They will negotiate on your behalf, and make | | | | reward. |
| sure all of the paperwork is done. | | | | Do they have the best referral incentive program in |
| However, if you choose the wrong locum agency, it | | | | Australia (rewarding you with real cash rewards)? |
| could do more damage than good. If they do not have | | | | You have friends who are doctors - they may also |
| enough experience or expertise, lack contacts at | | | | want to do locum work. You’d like to set them up |
| hospitals (and other organisations), or at worst - act in | | | | with a good agency, too. This is also a good |
| an unprofessional or dishonest way, it could have a | | | | opportunity for you to make some extra money, just |
| long term detrimental effect on your career. | | | | by referring someone. A few agencies offer token |
| The good news is that you have a choice of medical | | | | amounts (such as $100 for referring someone), others |
| locum agencies. There are a number of agencies in | | | | will enter you in a competition, but the top-notch |
| Australia offering locum work, and most claim to have | | | | agencies will give you a percentage of their own fee |
| the ‘best work’ at the ‘best rates’. | | | | as a reward. |
| Several claim to be the biggest and the best. How do | | | | Do they offer additional support such as career |
| you sort through all of the agencies out there? | | | | planning, help with resumes, interviews, and other |
| Start by asking yourself - what benefits does a doctor | | | | training? |
| want from a locum agency? | | | | A professional recruitment company should be able to |
| Is there a good candidate to recruitment consultant | | | | offer you substantial assistance with your career in |
| ratio? (i.e. how much attention will you get) | | | | general. As experts in recruitment, they have the |
| Would you prefer a massive agency with thousands | | | | knowledge to help you fine tune your resume, prepare |
| of candidates on their books, or a smaller higher | | | | for interviews, and develop application letters. |
| service agency? It is going to make a difference to | | | | Do they have a regular newsletter to keep you up to |
| your bank account. Locum work is very fast moving, | | | | date? |
| and requires a great deal of attention on the part of | | | | A high-service medical recruitment agency should send |
| the recruiter to identify the right shifts for you (right | | | | our industry updates, and keep in contact with you on |
| place, right time, right money). If they are overloaded, | | | | a regular basis. |
| they just won’t be able to pay attention to | | | | Do they have an organisational charity program? |
| everyone. | | | | Unfortunately, the recruitment industry is one that has |
| What is the background of the recruitment | | | | had a reputation of questionable ethics and |
| consultants? | | | | motivations. An organsational charity program is a |
| Are they specialist healthcare recruiters? Or do they | | | | good indication that the company has a social and |
| not know the difference between a intern and a | | | | moral conscience. |
| consultant? Do they have experience in the public and | | | | Does the locum agency hold membership of a peak |
| or private healthcare system? When recruitment | | | | body? |
| consultants deal with hospitals, their background, and | | | | Is the medical locum agency a member of the |
| knowledge is going to show from the first minute of | | | | Recruitment and Consulting Services Association, and |
| their call. Your recruitment consultant is your public | | | | or the Association of Medical Recruiters Australia and |
| image - you need to be confident that you are dealing | | | | New Zealand? Membership of these organisations |
| with someone who knows their stuff. | | | | means that the company is required to adhere to a |
| Do they have relationships with healthcare providers | | | | strict code of conduct, and maintain professional |
| (public and private) around Australia? | | | | training standards. |
| Does the recruiter have an established network of | | | | |