My guideline on locums
What is a locum shift?
This is an extra shift outside your regular work hours when there is understaffing on an on call shift/ on the wards.
What does it consist of?
This is just like a regular ward shift or on call shift which you would be normally doing.
Are we paid for it?
Yes. We are. This varies on the post you have taken up. For SHO posts it varies from 35 GBP an hour to 50 GBP an hour.
Can we negotiate this rate?
If the team is very desperate they may call/message/email you and ask you to come and do a shift which is negotiable. They will clearly state that this shift has a negotiable rate.
This is an extra shift outside your regular work hours when there is understaffing on an on call shift/ on the wards.
What does it consist of?
This is just like a regular ward shift or on call shift which you would be normally doing.
Are we paid for it?
Yes. We are. This varies on the post you have taken up. For SHO posts it varies from 35 GBP an hour to 50 GBP an hour.
Can we negotiate this rate?
If the team is very desperate they may call/message/email you and ask you to come and do a shift which is negotiable. They will clearly state that this shift has a negotiable rate.
When does this usually happen?
During winter pressures when there is a lot of understaffing. The HR, Rota coordinators and bed managers contact all junior doctors and ask them to come in for a negotiable rate.
How do we negotiate these rates?
Call the bed managers and ask what rate they are offering. If your trusts rate is 35 GBP and they say that you can come and work for a rate of 50 GBP, that is quite reasonable. If they offer 37 GBP, you could request them to increase it by a bit- lets say 45 GBP maybe.
Remember - do not be unreasonable here. The NHS is already low on funds (due to political reasons I do not wish to delve into here) and we need to maintain a balance.Plus it does not look nice when you argue with another professional on money.
Can we negotiate regular locum shifts?
If you have agreed to do a shift which has been sent to everyone and it does not state that it is negotiable then you should not try to negotiate it as it does not look nice.
Are locums taxed?
Locums done through your trusts HR are taxed at 20 to 40%.
I have heard that some locums are taxed at 20%.
Yes- This is when the doctors have not crossed their tax allowance as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates
So if I am paid 40,000 GBP and do extra locum shift but my overall monthly income is less than 45,000 GBP, then I will be taxed at 20%?
Yes - according to the official guidance you will be taxed at 20%.
How many locum shifts can one do on a work visa?
You can do extra locum shifts in your trust. I have done up to 50 hours a month as I had signed on my contract that I am happy to do extra shifts when needed outside my limit.
Plus I was on annual leave and zero days during that month so I did not exceed my 48 hours/week limit.
So what is the work restriction about?
This is regarding a second job - ie when you ask a locum agency and do locums through that and they pay you separately.
This also refers to working more than your usual working hours limit per week - ie 40 or 48 hours per week.
So I have worked 40 hours in this week. Can I not do 2 shifts of 8 hours each over the weekend?
Yes you can - as this work limit is divided over 17 weeks as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours
Can I get a locum job through an agency?
I have heard we cannot do locum shifts on annual days/zero days.
Most trusts allow this. However confirm this with your rota coordinator and HR.
You can do extra shifts as long as you get enough rest as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/working-hours/ewtd-juniors-faq
I have not been paid for a shift I did.Every trust has its own rules but my advice is to ensure that the HR/ rota coordinator email you too confirm that they have received your forms which they then forward to pay roll. If you have not been paid, go to the HR/rota coordinator and confirm if they have countersigned the forms and sent them to the payroll. If they have then talk to payroll and ensure they have added the locum pay to your next pay slip.
Is it advisable to do extra shifts?
Yes - this gives you more experience, you can get extra money which you can then save and use it for something else.
Some people have sub-accounts with their main account which they put the extra money they have earned via locums each month and then may use it as deposit for house they plan to get on mortgage in 3 years.
Putting in 400 GBP every month will save you 14,400 GBP in 3 years which is a considerable amount.
Plus this also helps maintain the staffing in the hospital and everyone is happy as no one is overworked.
Can we negotiate regular locum shifts?
If you have agreed to do a shift which has been sent to everyone and it does not state that it is negotiable then you should not try to negotiate it as it does not look nice.
Are locums taxed?
Locums done through your trusts HR are taxed at 20 to 40%.
I have heard that some locums are taxed at 20%.
Yes- This is when the doctors have not crossed their tax allowance as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates
So if I am paid 40,000 GBP and do extra locum shift but my overall monthly income is less than 45,000 GBP, then I will be taxed at 20%?
Yes - according to the official guidance you will be taxed at 20%.
How many locum shifts can one do on a work visa?
You can do extra locum shifts in your trust. I have done up to 50 hours a month as I had signed on my contract that I am happy to do extra shifts when needed outside my limit.
Plus I was on annual leave and zero days during that month so I did not exceed my 48 hours/week limit.
So what is the work restriction about?
This is regarding a second job - ie when you ask a locum agency and do locums through that and they pay you separately.
This also refers to working more than your usual working hours limit per week - ie 40 or 48 hours per week.
So I have worked 40 hours in this week. Can I not do 2 shifts of 8 hours each over the weekend?
Yes you can - as this work limit is divided over 17 weeks as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours
Can I get a locum job through an agency?
This may be considered as a second job as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/second-job
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/second-job
I have heard we cannot do locum shifts on annual days/zero days.
Most trusts allow this. However confirm this with your rota coordinator and HR.
You can do extra shifts as long as you get enough rest as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/working-hours/ewtd-juniors-faq
How do we receive the payment for locum shifts?
It comes through your payroll.
What documentation do we need for locum shifts?
This varies from trust to trust. In some trusts, you print out a locum time sheet (which is available on the intranet), fill it out and get it countersigned by the consultant. You should then email it to the rota coordinator/bed manager as per your trusts protocol.
In some trusts you can download an excel time sheet from the intranet, fill it and email it to the rota coordinator.
In other trusts, there may be an online system in which you enter the dates and hours you have worked. Then the rota coordinator approves it.
What else should I have to be aware of?
It is very important to know what guidelines your trusts has for locum shifts. Some trusts use paper forms. In which case you should print it out, fill it and get it countersigned by the consultant during the same shift and then scan it and email it to your rota coordinator/HR before you leave. This way you will not forget.
If your trusts use an online system, fill your details on the same shift and submit it.
In some trusts, you need to download an excel spread sheet, fill the hours in and your details and email it to HR.
You should do all of these before you leave hospital.
In some trusts you can download an excel time sheet from the intranet, fill it and email it to the rota coordinator.
In other trusts, there may be an online system in which you enter the dates and hours you have worked. Then the rota coordinator approves it.
What else should I have to be aware of?
It is very important to know what guidelines your trusts has for locum shifts. Some trusts use paper forms. In which case you should print it out, fill it and get it countersigned by the consultant during the same shift and then scan it and email it to your rota coordinator/HR before you leave. This way you will not forget.
If your trusts use an online system, fill your details on the same shift and submit it.
In some trusts, you need to download an excel spread sheet, fill the hours in and your details and email it to HR.
You should do all of these before you leave hospital.
When would I get paid for it?
This is added to your pay which you receive at the end of the month however if you have done a locum shift within the last 1 week of your pay due date, it may be delayed till next month as the rota coordinators may need confirmation from the bed managers and consultants and then send it to the pay roll department.
I have not been paid for a shift I did.Every trust has its own rules but my advice is to ensure that the HR/ rota coordinator email you too confirm that they have received your forms which they then forward to pay roll. If you have not been paid, go to the HR/rota coordinator and confirm if they have countersigned the forms and sent them to the payroll. If they have then talk to payroll and ensure they have added the locum pay to your next pay slip.
Is it advisable to do extra shifts?
Yes - this gives you more experience, you can get extra money which you can then save and use it for something else.
Some people have sub-accounts with their main account which they put the extra money they have earned via locums each month and then may use it as deposit for house they plan to get on mortgage in 3 years.
Putting in 400 GBP every month will save you 14,400 GBP in 3 years which is a considerable amount.
Plus this also helps maintain the staffing in the hospital and everyone is happy as no one is overworked.
I have just started work. Can I do locum shifts?
it is advisable to shadow on calls first and make sure you know the system well. As you are being paid extra for this, you will be expected to be able to work as efficiently as a well settled doctor.
Please read this post as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/guideline-for-on-calls.html
Can I join a locum agency and work as an external locum in other trusts while working in my current trust?
"You can take a second job on this visa if you’re working up to 20 hours a week in either:the same profession as your main job and at the same level profession on the shortage occupation list"
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/second-job
This is what the official guidance states. Do confirm this with your locum agency as well.
What things should I be aware of when doing an external locum via an agency?
Be aware of the maximum hours you can work (which is 20 per week).
Make sure you pay tax on this as mentioned here if your pay is not added to your NHS pay slip directly:
https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns
https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/deadlines
Do you advise me to work in the NHS full time via a locum agency?
No- I have given my reasons here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/after-plab-2-applying-for-jobs.html
Please read this post as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/guideline-for-on-calls.html
Can I join a locum agency and work as an external locum in other trusts while working in my current trust?
"You can take a second job on this visa if you’re working up to 20 hours a week in either:the same profession as your main job and at the same level profession on the shortage occupation list"
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/second-job
This is what the official guidance states. Do confirm this with your locum agency as well.
What things should I be aware of when doing an external locum via an agency?
Be aware of the maximum hours you can work (which is 20 per week).
Make sure you pay tax on this as mentioned here if your pay is not added to your NHS pay slip directly:
https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns
https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/deadlines
Do you advise me to work in the NHS full time via a locum agency?
No- I have given my reasons here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/after-plab-2-applying-for-jobs.html
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