Over the last few months, Locate a Locum's marketing team received tagged content from an Instagram profile called The Travelling Pharmacist. This account is managed by a locum pharmacist using the app to find locum work across the United Kingdom. We reached out to The Travelling Pharmacist to learn more about their background and how they got involved with locum work.They kindly shared their story, tips and advice below:

1. Introduce yourself and your professional background.

I completed my MPharm at the University of Manchester and qualified in 2022. My Pre-Reg year was at an independent community pharmacy in Coventry, a 5,000-item store that provided a range of services, including private health clinics, weight loss programs, allergy injections, private and NHS phlebotomy, occupational health, travel clinics, NMS, and more.

After qualifying, I went straight into locum work, initially covering the Midlands and now traveling up to 70 miles from home. I’ve worked with companies like Well, Rowlands, Boots, Avicenna, Peak, Badhams, and various independents.

My experience spans everything from quiet village pharmacies to high-volume stores, including distance-selling pharmacies, high-street locations, and those within GP surgeries.

In March, I’m set to begin my Independent Prescribing course at the University of Leicester, specialising in Minor Ailments.

2. How did you get involved with locum work?

I always knew I wanted to locum rather than take on a permanent position. When I first qualified, I was offered several managerial roles, including positions in Coventry, Rugby, and even one in Devon (with a very tempting salary).

However, I chose locuming because of the flexibility, the ability to earn more, and the opportunity to build a strong network with pharmacy owners.

I started by booking shifts through agencies like LAL while gradually building my own list of direct contacts. I still use agencies regularly—they’re especially useful for emergency shifts and discovering new pharmacies.

3. Can you share a memorable experience from your travels that reinforced your passion for this career?

One of the most interesting places I’ve worked since qualifying was a distance-selling pharmacy specialising in medicinal cannabis prescriptions. They dispensed both THC and CBD products, which were prescribed off-license by specialist prescribers.

This experience opened my eyes to the diverse nature of pharmacy and the business opportunities within the field. The level of security was also fascinating—I had to undergo biometric scanning just to enter the building. It was a unique opportunity to work for a hedge-fund-backed medicinal cannabis company in a rapidly growing market.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while working in different locations?

The biggest challenge is always the unpredictability—how well-trained the dispensing team is, how organised the store is, and how efficiently the pharmacy operates. Surprisingly, I’ve had smoother days in 10,000+ item stores than in 4,000-item ones. You have to be adaptable, manage patients effectively, and ensure safe and legal outcomes, regardless of the situation.

One of my toughest experiences was actually my very first locum shift. It was a midnight pharmacy, and I was booked from 6 PM to midnight. I didn’t realise that after the initial handover, I’d be working completely alone. With no experience using their PMR system, I was given a 20-minute crash course before being left to run the dispensary. The first 30 minutes were stressful, but I took a deep breath, adapted, and got through it.

5. What skills do you think are essential for success as a locum?

Adaptability is key—you have to adjust to different teams, workflows, and store setups daily. Being sociable also helps, as every pharmacy operates differently, and integrating smoothly makes the job easier.

Financial awareness is another crucial skill. As a locum, you’re essentially running a small business, so you need to factor in expenses like insurance, travel, accounting fees, tax, NI, pension, and holiday pay. If you’re working nearly the same hours as an employed pharmacist, it’s worth calculating whether locuming is truly more beneficial, considering company perks like paid leave and pension contributions.

6. How do you stay up to date with CPD and additional accreditations?

I usually set aside one working day per month—or half a day on a weekend—for admin tasks like accounting and CPD. I use this time to refresh my knowledge on topics where I’ve identified gaps over the month, often using CPPE resources.

7. How do you manage work-life balance when traveling?

I make it a priority to have at least two mid-week days off per month for social activities. While I still meet up with friends on weekends, the flexibility of locuming allows me to do this during the week as well, which is one of the major perks of the job.

8. What’s your favourite part about being a traveling locum?

Meeting new people across the country, especially pharmacy owners, is one of the highlights. Locuming has given me the chance to see how hundreds of pharmacies operate, learning their strengths and weaknesses. This insight will be invaluable if I ever decide to open my own pharmacy—experience you simply can’t gain from working in just one store or company.

Strangely, I also enjoy the one-hour drive to and from work. Mornings give me time to listen to podcasts like Business Wars or relax with music. In the evenings, depending on how the day went, I might either unwind or sing (sometimes shout) along to my favourite songs in the car—it’s weirdly therapeutic!

9. How has this career path impacted your personal and professional growth?

Locuming has strengthened my soft skills, particularly communication. I’ve learned to engage with people from all walks of life, whether patients or pharmacy staff, and tailor my approach to different situations.

It has also sharpened my ability to problem-solve in real time and handle high-pressure situations while remaining calm and professional.

Professionally, locuming has exposed me to a wide range of patient demographics, from lower socio-economic communities with different healthcare needs to more affluent areas. This experience has reinforced my ability to provide the same high standard of care to all patients, regardless of their background.

10. How have you found using LAL to manage your locum work?

LAL was the first locum platform I used after qualifying, largely because of its user-friendly app—far superior to other agencies in terms of interface and filtering options.

I still use LAL occasionally, although I now book many shifts directly. I appreciate the ability to negotiate rates through the app, the quick responses from companies, the in-app calendar, and the fact that payments are direct—saving me time on invoicing.

LAL also lists required accreditations for each company, such as enhanced DBS, Pharmacy First declarations, and DMS declarations. For newly qualified pharmacists, this guidance is invaluable in smoothing the transition from Pre-Reg to locum.

11. What advice would you give pharmacists interested in locum work?

Before jumping into locuming, ask yourself questions like:

• Am I comfortable traveling, and do I have reliable transport?
• Would I prefer the stability of a fixed team and the ability to follow patient journeys?
• Is my motivation purely financial? If so, does locuming actually work out better after accounting for costs?
• What are my long-term career goals? Am I using locuming as a stepping stone to another industry?
• Do I plan to buy a house soon? If so, how will being self-employed impact mortgage applications?
• Do I want employer-funded training, such as an Independent Prescribing course?
• Would I prefer profit-sharing opportunities in a pharmacy, which might be more available in an employed role?
• Do I value the freedom to set my own schedule, or do I prefer the security of guaranteed work?

The Travelling Pharmacist says, "Locuming isn’t for everyone, but if it aligns with your lifestyle and career ambitions, it can be an incredibly rewarding path."

Make sure to follow The Travelling Pharmacist's account to stay up to date with their latest shifts and adventures on the road!

Are you interested in locum work?

If you're inspried by The Travelling Pharmacist's story and would like to explore locum work, sign up to Locate a Locum today. Join 44,000 locums using the app to manage their locum careers. We work with 8,000+ employers across the UK giving you choice and flexibility when booking shifts. If you have any questions about getting started, contact us and a member of the team will be in touch.