The word locum is derived from the Latin word ‘locum tenens.’ Thus, locum meaning is a ‘place holder’. A locum doctor meaning is someone who acts as a replacement when a permanent doctor is away from hospitals and clinics. They are qualified professionals who act as a substitute for their colleagues.
You may still be wondering about the details of this profession. No worries. In this article, we will discuss the qualifications, duties, skills, etc., required to become a Locum doctor. Read along to learn more.
Eligibility And Qualifications
These professions require proper skilled professionals and not amateur practitioners. Hence, it is important to learn the qualifying criteria.
A. Educational requirements
You must have a basic medical degree. A PG degree is required for specialisation. Let us look at the details.
1. Medical degree (MBBS, MD, or equivalent)
You must have a basic science background. This will help to qualify for the entrance exam for doctors. Complete the basic five-year MBBS course or an equivalent. You can opt for the three-year MD course.
2. Postgraduate qualifications (if required for specific specialties)
Suppose you intend to replace a specialised doctor. In that case, you must acquire a PG qualification for that specialisation.
B. Licensing and registration
Only the educational qualifications will not suffice. To become a Locum doctor, you must complete various necessary registrations.
1. Valid medical licence in the country or state of practice
Firstly, you need to acquire a valid licence to practise. However, the regulations might differ in different states.
2. Registration with relevant medical councils or boards
You must be registered with authentic councils and boards. Like the Medical Council of India, National Medical Commission, State Medical Council, etc.
C. Experience and expertise
As a locum doctor you must have a minimum experience in the field. Let us check out the experience details.
1. Minimum years of experience required (varies by specialty and employer)
You must complete at least one year of house job experience. However, the further experience depends on the kind of specialisation.
2. Specific skills or training in the required field
The main skills required are proper diagnosis, prescribing medicines, etc. Training to provide emergency care is necessary.
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Scope And Responsibilities
If you think that, as a Locum doctor, the career path is limited, then you’re mistaken. There is much scope for this profession. Like,
A. Providing temporary medical coverage
You will work in the absence of permanent doctors. Moreover, during high demands and emergencies, you will be required.
1. Filling in for absent or vacationing doctors
A Locum doctor is a substitute for doctors who are not present. The reason for absence can either be illness or vacationing.
2. Addressing short-term staffing shortages
In case there is a shortage of active staff. They must fulfil multiple duties.
3. Assisting during peak periods or emergencies
During sudden outbreaks, pandemics, emergencies, etc., locum doctors have become very helpful. It aids the hospital in controlling the chaos.
B. Clinical duties
There are major hospital duties they must fulfil. Among them, the four most important ones are,
1. Diagnosing and treating patients
Especially in the absence of a specialised doctor, they must properly diagnose the patient. This will aid the doctor to continue further treatment once he is back.
2. Prescribing medications and therapies
This is another very important task, especially for follow-up patients. The Locum doctor must understand the disorder and prescribe medicines or therapies.
3. Performing procedures and surgeries (if applicable)
Specialised locum doctors are required in such cases. A surgery might be scheduled beforehand, but for a certain emergency, the doctor is unavailable. In such cases, they are needed. However, it is applicable for emergency surgery cases as well.
4. Maintaining accurate medical records
Lastly, they must know how to maintain medical records in the right order. This will aid the permanent doctor to follow up with the patient.
C. Collaboration and communication
Since they are fill-in doctors, communication is paramount. In certain cases, you might have to collaborate with a team to treat the patient.
1. Working with other healthcare professionals (nurses, specialists, etc.)
Communication is the key here. Because in certain situations, you need to learn the patient’s case history. Additionally, during surgeries and other procedures, you will need to work together with nurses and other professionals.
2. Communicating with patients and families
Another duty included in this profession is conversing with patients and families. As we know, this is a major task that all doctors must fulfil. Hence, a locum doctor needs to fulfil this duty as well.
3. Coordinating care and referrals as needed
A doctor might be absent for a couple of days. In such instances as a replacement, you must properly coordinate the care and referrals.
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Skills And Attributes
By now, we know the qualifications and duties involved. Here, we will discuss the various skills required for this profession.
A. Adaptability and flexibility
Apart from technical skills, a locum doctor must have various soft skills. For instance, flexibility in adapting to environmental changes.
1. Quickly adjusting to new work environments and teams
In this profession, you have no work area limitations. Hence, you need to work in changing environments very often. Thus, it would help if you always were open to adapting.
2. Handling various patient populations and case complexities
Especially if you are specialised, you may need to handle complex cases. Hence, you must showcase flexibility in your way of operations.
B. Strong clinical knowledge and skills
As the locum definition states, this profession requires professional doctors. Hence, profound clinical knowledge is necessary.
1. Staying current with medical advancements and best practices
You must be up-to-date with all the recent innovations and practices. Hence, you can utilise them in times of need.
2. Demonstrating proficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
As a specialist, you must be able to carry out proper diagnosis and therapies, especially in the case of an emergency or crisis like Oxygen therapy, immunisations, vaccinations, etc.
C. Effective communication and interpersonal skills
The main bond between patients and doctors is established through communication. A doctor needs to be empathetic and understanding while patient-handling.
1. Establishing rapport with patients and colleagues
Communication is the key to properly blending in with your colleagues. Especially since they work in a changing environment, having proper communication skills can lead to better adaptability.
2. Clearly explaining medical information and instructions
If you are a team lead, then you must have proper skills in delegating tasks. This includes properly giving instructions and explaining their jobs.
D. Time management and organisation
You must be prepared for all situations. Hence, completing tasks on time and efficiently tackling emergencies is important.
1. Managing a high volume of patients and tasks efficiently
There are instances where you have to handle a large number of patients. For instance, during free camps, emergencies like fire outbreaks, pandemics, etc. In those situations, your work efficiency will help.
2. Prioritising urgent cases and meeting deadlines
Another major skill of a Locum doctor is knowing how to prioritise urgent cases. Additionally, completing tasks within proper deadlines is also required.
E. Resilience and stress management
Working under tight schedules and pressure can become quite difficult. Hence, you must know the tips for stress management.
1. Coping with demanding schedules and high-pressure situations
Patience and perseverance are very necessary for this profession. This helps in effectively managing pressure situations and emergencies.
2. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance
It might not be easy to maintain such a healthy balance. However, you cannot stop trying. Take those necessary vacation leaves and avoid overworking yourself.
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Benefits And Challenges
As a Locum doctor, you will receive various benefits like flexibility and exposure on one hand. On the other hand, you need to face challenges like uncertainty and continuous adaptation to changing environments.
A. Advantages of working as a locum doctor
One of the greatest advantages is working at your convenience. Moreover, except for urgent situations, the profession gives you flexibility when choosing your projects.
1. Flexibility in choosing assignments and schedules
Here, you are always free to decline a project. This helps maintain a healthy personal and professional life balance.
2. Exposure to diverse clinical settings and patient populations
As you work in different healthcare centres, you will earn greater recognition. This is because of the immense exposure the profession offers.
3. Competitive compensation and travel opportunities
Another advantage in this case is that the compensation is quite lucrative. Additionally, in some situations, you can also get to travel abroad while being fully funded.
4. Potential for skill development and networking
Working in different hospitals and with different professionals can aid in building a proper network. Moreover, you can also hone your skills in the procedure.
B. Challenges and considerations
One thing to remember before choosing to be a Locum doctor is the uncertainty of the job. For those looking for a more stable and smooth job profile, this is not the right option.
1. Frequent travel and temporary living arrangements
You might have to travel very often. Initially, it might seem interesting. However, with time, it becomes exhausting. Additionally, you need to always live in temporary accommodation options.
2. Adapting to new electronic health record systems and protocols
Continuously adapting to record systems and protocols is quite hectic. Moreover, you must be careful not to mix it up with other data.
3. Limited benefits and job security compared to permanent positions
The job benefits are limited. Additionally, there is no job security, especially if you do not have proper networking.
4. Potential for professional isolation and lack of long-term patient relationships
You do not get to bond with patients or colleagues as you are always getting transferred. Hence, after a while, you might suffer from professional isolation.
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Salary And Compensation
Apart from the contracted salary, there are various additional benefits. Here, we will state the factors that can influence the salary of a Locum doctor, along with various incentives you can earn.
A. Factors Affecting Locum Doctor Salaries
Some elements determine the remuneration package in this profession. For instance, a general locum physician will have a lesser salary than a certified or professional surgeon.
Furthermore, your working area will also matter, i.e., an urban area will offer a better salary range than the outskirts. Additionally, the higher the demand for the higher the salary, the lesser the demand for the lower the salary offered.
Additionally, an experienced locum doctor will get paid more than a fresher, similarly with qualifications. The more qualified you are, the more complex patients you get to handle, and the more salary is offered.
Lastly, the length and the complexity of an assignment will determine your salary. For instance, a locum doctor giving normal vaccinations will get reduced pay comparatively to those working in a pandemic situation.
B. Average salary range
The payment is usually done at hourly rates. The average range per hour is र400-450. In some cases, daily rates are also offered, such as र6000 – 7000.
In comparison, the average hourly salary range for permanent doctors is र600-700. And the daily rate ranges from र9000 – 10000. However, in both cases, the salary range can vary according to qualifications and designations.
C. Additional benefits and incentives
There are various additional benefits, like travelling within the organisation’s budget. Moreover, they sponsor your accommodation, transportation, etc.
They also receive malpractice insurance coverage. It is a financial coverage plan that doctors receive in case of any financial loss while offering their services.
Additionally, they receive the CME support. The continuing medical education approach consists of educational activities that aid in the development of skills and knowledge of a locum doctor.
Finding Locum Doctor Opportunities
As the demand for this job profile is increasing, you can always register your name with agencies. Additionally, you can handle payments and logistics from where you make the shift.
Locum tenens agencies and recruiters
These agencies provide locum doctors when healthcare centres contact them. Hence, one of the most effective ways to do this is to register yourself with such agencies.
Additionally, you first begin with handling credentials, logistics, and payments. This will help in setting a firm footing. You can then gradually shift to your desired profession.
Online job boards and platforms
There are various specific online platforms like websites and forums where you can grab great job opportunities.
Additionally, you can also search for jobs from general healthcare job portals. However, make sure you are choosing the authentic portal to avoid fraud.
Networking And Referrals
Establishing a strong network is essential for a better job experience. You can keep in contact with colleagues you have worked with. Additionally, it connects the various renowned medical societies, the Indian Medical Association, the Medical Students’ Association, etc.
You can also choose to attend the important medical conferences and events held across the country. This will increase your exposure and boost your number of referrals.
Conclusion
Being a locum doctor is not very easy as it requires almost equivalent educational qualifications and experiences. If you are interested in this job profile, read the above article as we have defined locum, and stated its skills, benefits, salary, etc. However, while choosing projects, make sure to opt for reputed ones that will increase your skill and experience.
FAQs On Locum Doctor
Q1. What is a locum doctor?
A1. When a permanent doctor is absent and a replacement doctor is contacted to perform their duties, the substitute doctor is known as a locum doctor.
Q2. What are the clinical duties a locum doctor needs to fulfil?
A2. There are four most important clinical duties they need to fulfil. They are proper diagnosis, prescribing medications, conducting surgeries and therapies, and maintaining proper records.
Q3. Do I need soft skills for this profession?
A3. Yes, absolutely. Soft skills like communication, ability to adapt, flexibility, etc., are required to sustain in this profession.
Q4. What are the qualifications and experiences necessary?
A4. You must have a basic 5-year MBBS degree or equivalent. For more targeted projects, you need to get a specialised PG degree. Additionally, you must have at least a year’s experience in house jobs.
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