Once you've finished your trainee pharmacist journey, it can be overwhelming to think about the next steps in your pharmacy career. Whether you're looking to work in a full-time permanent position or perhaps you're interested in hearing more about locum work. Within this blog, we have put together 6 reasons why working as a locum is the perfect role for a newly qualified pharmacist.
1. Review your options
I’m sure you have heard that phrase before but did you ever think that it would apply to your future career. Well, with Locate a Locum it could, our user friendly app allows you to sample different organisations before you fully commit.
2. Expand your skill set & explore career options
Putting theory into practice is important, especially when you are a newly qualified pharmacist. By working locum pharmacist shifts you are able to choose work in diverse fields, communities and teams. Some days you may be working within a clinic and the next in community.
This broad scope gives you the opportunity to work with pharmacists and pharmacy teams that have various experience levels that will in turn aid your knowledge and skillset. Working in various pharmacy settings will also allow you to decide which is your preference should you wish to specialise in the future.
3. Maintain your flexibility
The most apparent benefit of being a locum pharmacist is that it allows you greater flexibility in both your personal and professional life. You can have much more control over working hours and the type of work you do, giving you the chance to pick and mix your shifts as you wish. Maintain your freedom and find your feet all at the same time.
4. Travel the world, or at least the country
By having no fixed contract you are able to work in various UK locations. This allows you greater freedom and puts you in control of your work-life balance. With our diary feature on the app you're able to plan your shifts months in advance so you'll know where you are working, when and how much you'll be earning. If you're interested in seeing more of the UK, locum work is a fantastic opportunity to do this.
5. Work as a locum alongside your full-time job
To work as a locum it doesn't necessarily mean you cannot also have a permanent full-time pharmacy job. We've put together a useful blog detailing how to do both, you can read it here. Many of our clients "do the double" and that's the beauty of locum work as we mentioned above, flexibility. You can also apply for more locum shifts if you need an income boost.
6. Earn a higher salary than a typical full-time pharmacy job
According to Payscale, the average locum pharmacist in the UK earns an average £23.22 per hour. Of course, this rate can fluctuate in times of seasonal demand or for emergency shifts posted on the platform. You can view all the available locum shifts we have currently live on the platform here, this will give you an idea of what rates are available.
When working with various companies it is important to ensure you're registered correctly on their systems, this article outlines this process and we recommended consulting these clecklists before applying for shifts to guarantee timely payment.
Get in contact
If you're interested in applying for locum shifts with us you can register here. Or if you've any questions that you would like to ask our team of experts get in contact today and we'll be happy to help.