Locum Work in After Hours Deputising

Australian Locum Medical Service Pty Ltd established in 1969 by the current principals operates deputising services in both Melbourne and Perth. Overseas Doctors have been recruited for short term contracts since 1978. Most doctors extend their contract and many have returned for a further contract at a later date.

The Work

Contracts for work with the deputising service are available for a minimum of 13 weeks. They involve working between 48 and 60 hours per week. The work is nights and weekends as this is the period of demand for deputising services.

Self Employment

The payment of Medical Practitioners in Australia is on a very simple fee for service basis. Private patients are accustomed to paying immediately after the consultation. All other patients sign a form that becomes the Doctor's account to Medicare, (the Government Medical Insurance Scheme). These accounts are normally paid within fourteen days. It is all very simple, the harder you work, the more money you make.

Commission

The agreement provides for the Doctor to pay the Company a variable commission of any fees billed. At a higher commission rate doctors are provided with a subsidised airfare to a maximum value of $2600 Australian; furnished accommodation for the work period, full Medical Defence cover and a car. This applies on a minimum of 13 weeks at 48 to 60 hours per week; with the airfare pro rata for less weekly hours worked.

At a lower commission rate doctors are provided with full Medical Defence cover and are responsible for their own airfares, accommodation and car expenses.

Earnings

Earnings will vary according to the commission percentage structure and to the hours you wish to work each week and how hard you work. Exact commission rates are variable and will be provided to candidates on receipt of their application.

Option 1

ALMS Higher commission - airfare subsidy, accommodation and car provided. Medical Defence cover is included.

Doctors could expect to earn between $5500 and $8000 per week in hand.

Option 2

ALMS Lower commission - No airfare, accommodation or car provided. Medical Defence cover is included.

Doctors could expect to earn between $8000 and $12000 per week in hand.

In both cases the highest earnings are based on 120 patients per week, and the lowest on 80 patients. British doctors in particular should note that the cost of living in Australia is very much less than the U.K. A rough guide is that a dollar in Australia has the purchasing power of a pound in the U.K.

Travel

The Company provides a subsidised air ticket to a maximum value of $AU 2600 for a minimum 13 week at 48 to 60 hours per week, higher commission contract. The airfare subsidy is paid pro rata for less weekly hours worked.

Arrival Finances

As it usually takes about a month for the initial income cheques to arrive from Medicare, it is important that sufficient funds are allowed for this period. We would suggest that $1500 Australian should cover living expenses for this period, if accommodation and car is provided by the company or $5000 if not.

Accommodation

With the higher commission rate, doctors are provided with a furnished and equipped accomodation for the period of the contract.

Car

With the higher commission rate, we provide a signed company car at no cost. There is an insurance excess of $1500. Unlimited private mileage is permitted, but you are responsible for ALL fuel costs.

Driver

With our approval doctors may use their spouse as a navigator/ driver, and whilst this is slow at first it increases family earnings.

Medical bag and equipment

The Company will supply you with a comprehensively equipped medical bag at no cost. You will be required to stock the bag at a current cost of approximately $A300.00 with ongoing costs about $30 a week. Free monthly allowances of emergency drugs are provided through any Chemist.

Rosters

Rosters are usually made up 4 weeks in advance. Shifts are usually of 8 or 12 hour duration and are both in and out of hours. Free days are not normally at the weekend.

Visas

The Company provides the necessary sponsorship for a temporary resident visa that is required to work in Australia. At the end of the work period, you may transfer to a holiday visa. In some instance opportunities exist for permanent residency sponsorship for those doctors who obtain Fellowship with the RACGP while in Australia. Visas applications attract a fee of approximately $A250.00. If necessary, this will be paid on your behalf by the Company and recouped from your earnings. A spouse or traveling companion accompanying the doctor is normally granted a dependents visa, dependents are permitted to work in Australia.

Australian Living

Eating out is a national pastime, many inexpensive BYO (bring your own drinks, no corkage) restaurants. Wines: good and cheap. As a rule of thumb the dollar has the same purchasing power as the U.K. pound.

General Practice in Australia

Medicine in Australia is private; the patient or the government health insurance scheme pays the Doctor for his services on a fee for service basis. Private patients are entitled to partial reimbursement of medical fees from the government health insurance scheme.

Fees

These vary with the time spent, time of day and the complexity of the service provided by the Doctor. They will average about $135.00 per consultation

The Patient

Patients are not tied to a particular Doctor, and in fact many patients attend more than one doctor at the same time.

Communications between GPs and Locums

You are given the G.P's instructions regarding the general management of their patients, and the home phone numbers of the G.P's are normally available to you. In many cases you will be given a brief medical history for the patient and allergies and current medication. Details of your diagnosis and treatment are forwarded by the service to the GP the next working day.

Drugs

Mostly the same, with occasional name differences eg. Distalgesic, Digesic. The Government subsidises to a standard dispensing fee drugs prescribed from a closed list. We will supply all doctors with a laptop computer, amongst other programs there will be a computerised prescribing system that will provide you with all the assistance you will need to manage the differences in the prescribing regulations and trade names.

Hospital Admissions

Are the same as most cities. Full details of procedures will be provided at the orientation briefing.

Ambulance

Efficient, simply phone. Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances (MICA) have trained personnel capable of intubation, ECG's, drips, drug administration, etc. Full details of procedures will be provided at the orientation briefing.

N.H.S. superannuation - UK and Ireland

If you have paid contributions for less than 5 years and cease work with the N.H.S. for one year or more, refund is COMPULSORY. The disadvantage is that only a percentage of contributions are paid back. The advantage is that on rejoining you can buy added years. If in doubt, seek expert help.

Conclusion

You will find the practice of medicine in a fee for service environment interesting and different. Australian cities, climates and lifestyles are quite different to anything you will have experienced. For twenty one years now Doctors on completion of their vocational Training have come out to make some money, see the world, and have a good time before settling down into general practice. For information about Victoria go to: http://www.visitvictoria.com.

If you would like to apply online click here for Candidate Application.