GP Locums Career Tips

It is predicted that many GPs in the UK are reaching retirement age in the next year or so, creating partnership opportunities for locum GPs who are seeking career progression and long term stability.

So, how do you get all your ducks in a row in order to take full advantage of a career opportunity when it arises? Here are a few basic tips:

Start Planning from Day One

This means thinking long term about career advancement through your GP locum jobs. Ensure that your work is of excellent quality; plan opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and gain a strong network of contacts in a variety of GP practices.

Be Organised

Prepare a list of your current skills, aptitudes, and areas of weakness, think about where you want to be, and plan further training accordingly.

There are 3 key questions you should ask yourself: what job can I do, what job could I do and what job would I like to do?

Plan ahead to your next appraisal and keep up-to-date with medical developments. The Scottish GP Appraisal Toolkit suggests a range of activities for gathering relevant evidence

If you are mainly in short-term GP locum positions, you may become isolated clinically, so it's worth joining a locum or new GP group online.

Financially, seek expert advice on income protection (sickness insurance), income and tax arrangements, life insurance and NHS pension arrangements (a third-party provider may only offer a private scheme). Think about saving up to cover any short spells of unemployment.

Learn as much as you can about the business side of running a GP practice; and play an active role in this during all your locum placements. Also, make sure you are ICT-literate and competent in administrative tasks.

Think about gaining special interest status in at least one marketable speciality, such as endoscopy or minor surgery.

Use your network of contacts to ensure you find out about any opportunities.

If you want to become a partner, look at the ages of partners in practices within your search zone. Partnerships are more likely when at least one partner is over 55.

Don’t be shy about asking if partnerships will be considered in the future. If you join such a practice and prove yourself invaluable, you will have an advantage.

One of the most important points is to ensure you are signed up with one of the leading medical locum agencies who can pro-actively help you in your career aspirations.

Call us on 08456 434404 or email us at admin@mplocums.com and let us make life simpler, better and easier.