Given the looming employment crisis in the country, especially in the healthcare sector, it is not surprising that most medical professionals are surviving through locums. Pharmacists take up locum opportunities for different reasons: to earn a living, while for some, it is out of a desire to supplement their current income, and some, especially recent graduates, get locums as they await the posting of the medical interns by the Ministry of Health. For whatever reason one picks a locum, the desire is to get some cash flow within a specified rate in the short term.
While there are healthcare facilities and pharmacies that have set good precedence in the locum space, there are definitely a few outliers that have created quite some scepticism. This primarily has to do with delayed payments, long working hours and assumptions around the scope of practice.
Taking up a locum opportunity as a pharmacist can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to be well-prepared and get a few basics right from the outset.
“Chance favours a prepared mind”, right? So, let’s dig in on how a Pharmacist can best prepare for locum opportunities:
I. Define your “Why”?
As cliché as this sounds, it is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself to align your expectations. Why are you seeking a locum opportunity? While it is legitimate for a recently graduated Pharmacist to desire a learning opportunity to translate their acquired knowledge from Pharmacy School into practice, it is equally crazy for them to consider getting this in a very busy urban Pharmacy(doing both wholesale and retail) that has a constant flow of traffic. While the pharmacists practising there may be willing to train, their availability to focus might be a challenge. Are you looking for a 3-hour gig? For how low would you want to locum? Do you just need the money? It is very crucial to define your Why.
II. Adherence to Regulatory Standards.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the Pharmacy & Poisons’ Board regulatory requirements for a community pharmacy or a hospital set-up. Before taking up any locum opportunity, ensuring that the facility is duly registered and the licences are up to date is prudent. You would not want to be on your own in case of any liability. For a Community Pharmacy, the licence of the Superintending Pharmacist or a Superintending Pharmaceutical Technologist(who has practised for not less than three years). In addition to the pharmacy’s licensing, a hospital must be registered by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Council (KMPDC).
III. Do a thorough market analysis to ascertain adequate compensation.
Research the current industry standards and the job descriptions to understand the prevailing market rates. Consider factors like experience, skills and level of education. This is important because pre-interns, interns and post-interns are all viable for locum opportunities. This information comes in handy when negotiating for a suitable and comfortable package. Also, let this figure be the lower limit to what you will propose. Do not sell yourself short. Please remember that you set a standard for those who will come after you at any given point. By taking an unfavourable package, you are jeopardising the possibility of someone ever believing that they can pay more for that role. Depending on whether the locum is short-term or long-term, this information helps you negotiate well.
As you equally reflect on this, consider a rate that will enable you to comfortably foot most, if not all, your pending expenses and give you a decent break.
IV. Clearly define the Terms of Reference (TOR)
This is an aspect that you would not want to be a grey area. Neither would you want it to be an assumption, chance or a matter of goodwill. If something is not documented, it wasn’t done. The TOR clearly defines your specific job description, your working hours, and whether your remuneration will be on a pro-rata basis or monthly. Merely discussing this is not enough; please have both parties document and sign it. This gives a sense of accountability to both you and your employer. Your employer should also state their expectations for that role. In the urban setting, where targets drive most businesses, you might not want to put yourself up for an impossible task and be that black sheep in the profession that always ensures a patient who walks in to buy elastoplast leaves with vitamin supplements, probiotics, and sunscreen. Let us safeguard and gatekeep the profession from such nuances!
Most young pharmacists have found themselves in scenarios where they may have to work more than 8 hours or until late at night. Suppose this is part of your working hours. In that case, that’s okay, but if you initially agreed on fixed deliverables, let anything outside that scope be clearly documented in the TOR that it is up for discussion or adjustment. Furthermore, it is prudent to acquaint yourself with the labour laws.
Additionally, let the TOR have a documented date for review.
If something is not recorded, it wasn’t done. In summary, the TOR will help you know whether you are up for this role.
V. Do research on the prospective pharmacy.
It is essential to familiarise yourself with that pharmacy, including its location, size, services offered, and patient demographics. If you can, a reconnaissance would serve you well. Pop in during the peak hours and observe what happens. Perhaps you can also talk to someone you know who works there. Ask around in your circles about the experience of those who have worked there before. You will not be so far from the truth.
Ultimately, as you think about picking up a locum position, you would want an opportunity that serves you well and does not exploit you in the long run. As you keep scouting for these opportunities, I hope this guide helps. Remember, the devil is in the details.
Always rooting for you.
Written by: