Australia has over 5500 community pharmacies with each playing their part in providing healthcare services to over 25 million Australians. Over 50 000 prescriptions are dispensed over Australian pharmacy counters annually with a level of efficiency and care that makes our health system one of the most admired in the world. This is largely due to the commitment from the thousands of medical professionals who work tirelessly to bring world-class services to our citizenry.
Locum pharmacists, who consist of a small segment within the medical profession, make a surprisingly important contribution to the success of the Aussie health care system. By providing auxiliary medical dispensary and consultative services to thousands of pharmacies across the country, locum tenens are the super subs of an industry where dropping the ball can be the difference between life and death.
What to look for in a reliable locum
If you’re a pharmacy owner, you’ll undoubtedly have made use of the services of a locum at some stage and may, or may not, have had a positive experience. For new pharmacists looking to augment their staff in the near future, the process may seem daunting, so with this in mind, we’ll cover a few key points to consider when making use of a locum tenens for your outlet.
Qualities to look for in a locum pharmacist
- Administrative Diligence: A big drawing card to life as a locum is the freedom from running a full time business. Many pharmacists feel that they can do without the administrative “burden” that comes with owning an outlet. While this level of freedom may be attractive for the free spirited locum, pharmacy owners know that admin is an all-too-important aspect to running a successful outlet.
- Make sure any candidate that walks through your door has a full grasp of the backend admin required to run your establishment before making any offers. Check for proficiency in things like reimbursement claims, patient file administration, stock keeping, etc. to spot an admin savvy pharmacist.
- Range of Experience: While many fresh-out-of-college pharmacists may ponder the benefits of a career as a locum, it’s best to look for experience when hiring someone to oversee your business. Factors such as people management skills, a solid list of references or even previous ownership will be a good barometer of the range of experience and skills a potential candidate can bring to the table. In the case of a younger, but otherwise strong candidate, look for a good track record on the CVs and try and assess how committed they are CPD.
- Value Added Skills: Pharmacists do mch more than dispense medicine and are increasingly being looked to for more supportive and consultative services. Locums who understand this will have flu vaccination certifications, WebsterCare proficiency and diabetes training and consultation as listed items in the resumes. Look for skills and value added services that match that of your establishment to ensure that customers aren’t turned away due to an inability to provide the scope of services they’ve become accustomed to.
- People Skills: Being a good pharmacist means being a compassionate and discerning health professional. This extends to getting on with your staff and providing compassionate care to everyone who needs it. Opioid and other drug replacement patients are a reality in our communities and depend on pharmacists to treat them fairly, yet assertively if the situation calls for it. Discuss this in-depth with a potential locum and get an understanding of his/her level of experience in cases of this nature.
The problem with locum agencies
The vast majority of pharmacists rely on specialist agencies to assist them in securing the services of a locum. While this route has worked fairly well to help pharmacies keep a full headcount, it doesn’t provide pharmacist with the continuity and predictability they need to run their business. The reason for this is that pharmacists aren’t guaranteed the same resource every time they contact an agency for a locum and also have to contend with ever-increasing agency fees.
Pharmacists often find themselves paying unbelievably high fees for the services of a locum in cases where the supply and demand equation works in favour of agents. Further, the care towards the needs of pharmacists often take less of priority for agencies, who focus on filling their booking schedules as efficiently as possible.
Consider hiring an independent locum pharmacist
Thanks to the digital age, connecting people from all over the world is now as easy as the swipe of a finger on a mobile device or laptop computer. This means finding the ideal candidate to act as a stand in for your pharmacy is as easy as “Googling” for a locum in your area and sidestepping traditional middlemen in the process.
If you’re a private or community pharmacist in the NSW region, get in touch with me directly to discuss your requirements for a locum pharmacist and discover how simple, affordable and headache-free hiring a trusted locum can and should be. My services come with years of experience, value added services, managerial and ownership level expertise and an intimate understanding of what it takes to be a great health care professional. Get in touch with me today!