In 1999 the Office of Fair Trading decided that the publication of suggested fees for locums was anti-competitive and the BMA was told that no guidance could be given to staff as to the rates that should be paid for locums. As a result, there can be quite a difference between one doctor’s rate of pay and that of someone else’s. There are a number of factors that can influence this, some of which are within an individual locum’s control and some of which are not. Below we look at a few of the differentiating factors that apply across most types of locum doctor jobs, from accident and emergency jobs to radiologist jobs, as well as making a few suggestions where there’s scope to influence an outcome.
Specialty
Locum jobs tend to be better paid the more niche the specialty, simply because there’s more demand for those skills. Being able to supply what few others can will always increase your market value.
Seniority
Obviously, a consultant will usually be paid more than a registrar, and so on down the chain of command. There’s no way to influence this factor other than to focus on working your way to the top.
Location
Locum fees tend to vary significantly depending on where you’re planning to carry out the work. As an obvious example, locums working in London tend to receive a higher rate than those outside to reflect the higher cost of living. It’s important to do your research so you know what the averages are in the areas you’re considering – picking one over the other could influence what you take home.
Market forces
This obviously isn’t something you can control but being aware of the market forces that push up locum rates can be very useful when it comes to negotiation. For example, the demand for locums is currently high as a result of various political factors and, particularly if your skills lie in a niche area, this makes you in demand and worth paying more for.
You
Just as with any type of negotiation, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Buyers of services will often look to get away with paying as little as possible and most people simply accept what they are offered. Make sure you have a good idea of what your value spectrum is for your skills and experience and then request a rate at the top level – you may not get it but you definitely won’t if you don’t try.
