Many pharmacists consider taking up the role of a locum at some point in their career. Much like freelancers or temp workers in other industries, the arrangement offers some inherent benefits such as increased flexibility and greater control over your working hours.

Whether you’re looking to take a break from full-time work, trying to get experience in other areas, or simply want to see what it’s like to work as a locum, there are a number of important considerations to make when making the change. 

Initial Considerations

Locum pharmacists generally have more control over the number of hours they work as well as other great benefits. Some basic advantages of becoming a locum pharmacist include: 

• Control where you work and how long you work for
• Avoid traditional hierarchical management structures and processes such as organisational meetings  
• Potentially increase the amount you work and the money you earn 

However, with this advantage comes a certain level of financial and legal responsibility to comply with, and if you’re new to the game, it’s important you pay these issues enough attention so you don’t get caught out. 

How Does it Work?

If you are interested in becoming a locum pharmacist, you will need to take responsibility for sourcing your own work. To do this, there are a few business structures available to you. Any of the below will enable you to engage in locum activities while still complying with UK law.

• Become an agency employee 
• Become a sole trader 
• Create a partnership 
• Create a single limited company 

As well as setting yourself up right, you will need to start thinking of yourself as your own business. Without the security of a larger organisation to cover your benefits, time off and schedule management, you will need to stay on top of everything yourself. Sometimes this can be a daunting task and hiring additional support to help with things like accountancy or recruitment can be useful.

Many locum staffing agencies are successful because they offer an additional layer of support for locums as they provide their services to multiple clinics and medical facilities in several locations. 

Sole Trader vs Limited Company

The two most popular and efficient options for becoming a locum are becoming a sole trader or a limited company. Most locums choose the sole trader route as it is relatively simple, but both options are a viable way to earn a living as a locum. 

Regardless of the route you choose, it is important to formalise the arrangement with your respective employers or agency so there is no ambiguity or potential for disputes to occur in the future. If there is a dispute concerning your employment status later on, it can be extremely difficult to prove your status without a contract. 

Pharmacist Locum Insurance

Most pharmacies will have their own personal indemnity cover which should cover any person working for them through direct employment or in a contracted nature. However, locums are actually self-employed sub-contractors when it comes down to it. So who is responsible for indemnity cover in this situation? 

If something happens which requires an insurance claim to be made, insurance companies are likely to review policies diligently and may indeed find that their terms and conditions of indemnity cover were not adhered to with regard to the locum pharmacist. In these situations, the individual locum would actually be liable.

Do I Need Indemnity Insurance for Pharmacists?

Pharmacists need professional indemnity insurance to protect them from civil claims regarding negligence or malpractice suits. While individual pharmacies have their own insurance packages, individual locums must also protect themselves to ensure they are supported when a claim is made or alleged against them.

Make Sure You’re Covered

It’s clear that a locum pharmacist needs to take their insurance cover into their own hands by carefully reviewing the policies of their staffing agencies and the medical practices they work for. Additionally, they can take out their own cover to ensure they are completely covered no matter what happens. 

For more information about cover for locum pharmacists, either as an individual or an organisation that hires locums, get in touch with one of our friendly advisors at Approachable Locum Insurance and we’ll be happy to help you explore your options.