Mini-guide to Locum doctor aspirants.

I have, over the last couple of weeks been giving a little advice to others about Locum work and some of the problems experienced. Learning, generally, is the gaining of knowledge from someone of experience willing to share that experience, whether it be "scientific truths", anecdote, or the admission of mistake in the hope the learner will not be required to make the same mistakes.

Check list :

1) register yourself for an ABN and register for GST. You can register as a sole trader, you do not need an additional company entity, however you must seek financial advice on your options and what best suits your personal situation.

https://abr.gov.au/abrweb/default.aspx?pid=71
2) register for Medicare HPOS and obtain a PKI security dongle. This will allow you to apply for a provider number online and receive it within minutes, as long as you have no provider number restrictions. This is a personal identifier, do not let anyone else use it or access HPOS with your log on.

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/business/online/register/apply.jsp

Update June 2016 :  PRODA is now the best way to access HPOS

https://proda.humanservices.gov.au/pia/pages/public/registration/account/createAccount.jsf


3) choose a Locum agency, one with a good reputation and preferably one that comes highly recommended by a colleague you trust. Talk to someone at the agency, don't apply yet, just talk, get information and get a sense whether or not you are happy to work with the agency. Remember you are a valuable commodity to the agency, their survival depends on the commissions generated by the work you do via their referrals. Get on their email list and then sit back and observe two things. The frequency of communications and the quality of placements being offered. Don't be in a rush, sit back and wait ... you will have other things to be doing while you wait. Get yourself on the email list of two other agencies and do the same, wait and observe. Do not be in a rush to commit.

4) While you are waiting, create a Resume/CV ... it needs to be the perfect generic CV that clearly summarizes your training and experience from the moment you entered medical school. It must be clear, succinct and easy to read. First impressions count. Get some professional advice on how to write your CV, the money paid for this will be returned tenfold and more.

http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=3043

5) Get two references from contemporary professional peers, written by your referees and with those referees willing to be spoken to by both the agency and prospective "employers". Your referees need to be able to confirm intimate knowledge of your professional skills in the area of work you are seeking. Whenever your reference is 12 months old, get new ones, and if possible renew them every 6 months.

6) Gather 100 points of identification documents.

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/content/100-point-check-proving-your-identity
7) Gather your original qualification documents - ie. your graduation certificate and your FRACGP or equivalent.

8) find a JP near where you are. Don't stuff around with other people for document certification, some places will only accept a JP certified copy.

http://australia.gov.au/topics/law-and-justice/justices-of-the-peace
... or "google" find a JP and choose the finder site for your state.

9) Make six copies of your 100 points of ID documents and six copies of your qualification documents. Call a JP nearby and ask for an appointment to have documents certified. JPs don't get paid to do this job so be polite and accept the possible inconvenience of the timing of that appointment. Don't take shortcuts and get a non-JP to certify the documents.

10) Get a Federal Police check done .. Yes, at your expense. This will consume your first set of ID documents.

http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-police-checks.aspx
11) Book yourself in for an advanced life support course.

12) By now you will have received a number of emails from your chosen agencies. Remember you have not committed yet, just receiving email lists of Locums available. Is there a state you would prefer to travel to? Pick one .. best to start with just one. Do you choose based on where you would like to travel? Do you choose based on the type of work available? Do you choose based on the amount paid?

13) Now you have chosen which state you want to do your first Locum, get a state Working With Children Clearance. Go on, "google" it. Yes, this too is at your expense. Each state has their own and will be valid only in that state. The following link is only as an example - it is for the Northern Territory and will only be valid for NT.

http://www.workingwithchildren.nt.gov.au/

14) no, you are not ready yet ... if you has reached frustration point already, leave now ... you are not suited to Locum work.

15) find yourself a simple invoice generator (eg software for PC, app for mobile device) ... ask around to find out what is out there and make sure you know how to use it.

16) Now is the time to choose your Locum agency. Choose one and stick with them. Make it clear to them you are committing to just them and you expect a high level of service for that commitment, but don't hesitate to move on if you are not happy. The agent will send you the registration package that will have at least a dozen pages of application paperwork, including declarations and providing proof of immunization status. This is likely to be needed if you are working with or in association with any hospital service, even small regional hospitals that the GP clinic provides medical services to.

17) By this time you will realise you will need access to a fax machine and or scanner. Get one for your home if you don't already have access to one elsewhere. Also find a means of storing copies of all your documents in the "cloud" so you can access them whilst traveling.

18) Once your Locum agent has indicated that all the paperwork is complete including consuming a full set of your certified documents, you are almost ready to choose your first Locum placement.

19) Almost, because you need financial savings to cover at least the period of time you are doing the Locum and then some more. Choose a short Locum for your first one, in your travel comfort zone. Expect to travel initially without your family ... not all places provide suitable family accommodation, and very rarely do they cover family member expenses of any sort. If your first placement is for two weeks, double that for a savings."cushion" to live off. Make sure you have enough to live on for at least the period you are away. Do not expect prompt payment. Many will pay promptly but don't allow yourself to be dependent on prompt payment for your family's financial survival in case a delay in payment does happen.

20) Now wait for that Locum placement that ticks all your boxes in terms of where and when. When it comes, express an interest with your agent but ask details of where, who for and if another Locum has been there and given feedback. Then if it suits, double check the arrangements for travel, accommodation, vehicle if provided, and timing of payment of invoices. Then, if still happy, ask the agent to put forward your details for consideration and patiently wait.

Give very serious consideration to getting legal advice on all the contracts you sign, before you sign and make sure your level of medico legal insurance will cover the type of work expected of you.

Enjoy your foray into Locum work. It provides variety, experience and opportunity to travel like no other. And remember to be joyful for the opportunity you have been given. And please, give consideration to prioritizing your work in rural areas ... rural doctors always need assistants. You never know, you may find a place of heaven you may wish to move to longer term.