When people talk about the pros and cons of locum work, it’s usually from the perspective of the employee. For instance, there are plenty of articles out there that discuss the pros and cons of being a locum as a way to figure out what career fits you best or to make money while studying for higher qualifications.

However, less is said from the perspective of the employer. This post talks about the potential benefits you can expect if you choose to hire locum staff at your workplace, to help you decide if it’s the right option for your business.

 

It Can Save You Money

Choosing to hire locum staff rather than take on new full-time employees can be a more cost-effective option for many healthcare facilities. This is because you only need to pay locums for the time they spend at work. Even though the hourly rate is usually higher, overall it still results in a lower cost – especially if you only need someone for a short period of time. Not only that, but you can trust that whoever you hire will be fully competent and qualified, so you won’t be getting a substandard service from them in comparison to your permanent staff.

 

Locums Can Bring New Ideas

In the majority of cases, locum staff will have lots of experience working with different companies in numerous locations. This gives them a much broader insight into the medical industry compared with people who have only worked in one or two places. While there are plenty of advantages to having staff work for you for a long time (for example they will have an in-depth knowledge of your company), bringing in locums means welcoming a fresh perspective. They may introduce your permanent members of staff to new ideas, techniques and skills they haven’t come across before, thereby improving efficiency, patient care, and other key markers of performance.

 

It’s A More Flexible System

Just as the flexibility of the locum system benefits employees, it also benefits employers. You can hire a locum pharmacist to work just the specific shifts you need covered, and at short notice when necessary. So whether you have someone off sick, going on maternity leave, or taking a sabbatical, you’ll be able to find the right person to step in. It’s also extremely helpful in cases where you have a sudden and temporary surge in demand, enabling you to deal with a greater number of people without a decline in patient care.

 

The Process Is Simple

Hiring a new full-time member of staff can be a long and complicated process. Hiring a locum, on the other hand, is extremely straightforward. These days there are agencies you can go through that will handle much of the process for you, and find the perfect locum to meet your needs. That way you get access to a large talent pool, while also giving preference to people you’ve worked with before and know will do a good job. Instant electronic booking systems take the hassle out of admin, avoid the risk of double bookings, and enable you to find locums even at very short notice.