Beat Medical Blog

The Truth About Medical Locum Agencies

Posted by Beat Medical

One of the great benefits of being a locum is that there will most likely be organisations lining up for your services. You might be wondering - is it worth registering with a locum agency?

A medical locum agency can help you sift through all of the offers, and be an advocate in the employment market. They will negotiate on your behalf, and make sure all of the paperwork is done.

However, if you choose the wrong locum agency, it could do more damage than good. If they do not have enough experience or expertise, lack contacts at hospitals (and other organisations), or at worst - act in an unprofessional or dishonest way, it could have a long term detrimental effect on your career.

The good news is that you have a choice of medical locum agencies. There are a number of agencies in Australia offering locum work, and most claim to have the ‘best work’ at the ‘best rates’. Several claim to be the biggest and the best. How do you sort through all of the agencies out there?

Start by asking yourself - what benefits does a doctor want from a locum agency?

Is there a good candidate to recruitment consultant ratio? (i.e. how much attention will you get)

Would you prefer a massive agency with thousands of candidates on their books, or a smaller higher service agency? It is going to make a difference to your bank account. Locum work is very fast moving, and requires a great deal of attention on the part of the recruiter to identify the best shifts for you (right place, right time, right money). If they are overloaded, they just won’t be able to give you the attention you need.

What is the background of the recruitment consultants?

Are they specialist healthcare recruiters? Or do they not know the difference between an intern and a consultant? Do they have experience in the public and/or private healthcare system? When recruitment consultants deal with hospitals, their background, and knowledge is going to show from the first minute of their call. Your recruitment consultant is your public image - you need to be confident that you are dealing with someone who knows their stuff.

Do they have relationships with healthcare providers (public and private) around Australia?

Does the recruiter have an established network of employers around Australia? Without good relationships with employers, you are unlikely to get the best work.

Do they offer additional support such as career planning, help with resumes, interviews, and other training?

A professional medical recruitment company should be able to offer you substantial assistance with your career in general. As experts in recruitment, they have the knowledge to help you fine tune your resume, prepare for interviews, and develop application letters.

Do they have a regular newsletter to keep you up to date?

A high-service medical recruitment agency should send our industry updates, and keep in contact with you on a regular basis.

Do they have an organisational charity program?

Unfortunately, the recruitment industry is one that has had a reputation of questionable ethics and motivations. An organsational charity program is a good indication that the company has a social and moral conscience.

Does the locum agency hold membership of a peak body?

Is the medical locum agency a member of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association, and/or the Association of Medical Recruiters Australia and New Zealand? Membership of these organisations means that the company is required to adhere to a strict code of conduct, and maintain professional training standards.