Frequently Asked Questions

What is a locum?

A locum is a doctor working in a position to cover a medical vacancy that is not considered to be a permanent position. This can range from a shift of a few hours to a block of shifts.

When am I able to work as a locum?

Once you have completed your internship and granted General Medical Registration status you are eligible to locum with Medic Oncall.

 

If you are an International Medical Graduate or Overseas Trained Doctor you can locum with 457 Visa status, General Medical Registration and your sponsor's approval.

What level of doctor's locum for Medic Oncall?

Medic Oncall places doctors from PGY2 through to Consultant Specialists in locum work throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Am I able to locum in the healthcare network that currently permanently employs me?

Generally no, you are not able to locum in your home or parent hospital network. There are some exceptions to this and you will need to verify with Medic Oncall.

How do I find out about the vacancies available?

Once your registration process with Medic Oncall is complete, a Customer Service Representative will contact you to discuss your availability and job preferences. We will then contact you when suitable jobs become available. You will also be able to access our shift list online to view all available jobs and work with your Customer Service Representative to source work in your location of choice.

I have conditions on my registration. Can I work as a locum?

As a Medic Oncall doctor, you have an obligation to notify us of any conditions on your registration. Medic Oncall has a non-discrimination policy and will endeavour to source suitable positions within the scope of your conditions.

Do I need to hold medical indemnity insurance?

Medic Oncall recommends all locums hold medical indemnity insurance, independent of their current health service provider or employer.

How much will I be paid?

Rates of pay are determined by our clients and reflective of overtime rates plus percentage loadings if the work is on a casual basis. We work with our medical practitioners and health service providers to ensure optimal financial security from our placements. Locum agencies DO NOT set the rate of pay for doctors.

If I travel are my travel and accommodation costs paid for?

Many healthcare providers outside of metropolitan areas are happy to cover the costs of travel and accommodation. Our Customer Service Representative will be able to inform you of these details.

Do rates of pay differ between jobs?

Yes. Rates of pay differ depending on where the work is based, the type of shift you work or when the shift may be. Pay rates are set by the health care service.

Why do I need a Working With Children Check and a National Police Check?

Medic Oncall wants candidates to have access to as many vacancies as possible. By having these documents on file we are increasing your immediate chances of being accepted for available positions throughout Australia.

What references will I need?

Medic Oncall requires the names of three consultant level referees who have supervised your work over the past 12 months.

 

For Registrar level positions, we require the names of three consultant level referees who have supervised your work in the specific field of medicine you wish to work in.

How long will the Medic Oncall registration process take?

Medic Oncall staff will endeavour to complete your registration as quickly as possible. To do this, we need to receive the required documents from you and your referees promptly.

I want to work interstate. What do I do?

National Medical Registration has replaced individual state based registration in Australia. This makes it much easier for you to locum in all states and territories. However, each hospital or healthcare provider might require different documentation to be completed prior to commencement of work. Our Customer Service Representative will be able to answer your questions about this.

Who is able to certify my documents?

Medic Oncall requires all relevant documents to be certified by a member of a certain profession, which includes but is not limited to - police officer, teacher, solicitor, lawyer, pharmacist, medical practitioner. For our full list please call 1300 66 22 66. Alternatively we can arrange for one of our friendly staff members to cite your documentation.

Featured Jobs

Testimonial

  • ‘I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you for your support over the past six years and congratulate you on a sensational job.  It has always been a pleasure to deal with MOC!’

    Sonya Steve

  • 'I wish to congratulate you all on your tenth anniversary and I would like to thank you all for your great work over the many years. You've helped me find work through the many stages of my life which has helped me heaps... when I was single, after I married, when I was pregnant, soon after my baby was born and now she turns 2 years next week. Thank you all and I wish you all the best.'

    Dr S

  • ‘Thank you for all your help, it has been lovely working with you and I have enjoyed our phone calls! Working with Brooke has been lovely and made things very easy for me.'

    Barbara Harris

  • 'The service has been great. I had work the day after I registered. My interaction with staff has always been professional, appropriate and timely.'

    Dr J Pike

  • ‘Just to let you know I thoroughly enjoyed the work on the weekend and would happily work there again when opportunities arise.’ Dr Nick

  • 'Thank you to Medic Oncall for your help and prompt response. It was so good to have someone on the end of the phone who was willing to just take care of things.'

    Dr Mathu

  • ‘You guys are legends for always communicating my requests. I really do think you are miles ahead of all the other locum agencies.' Dr Bando

  • 'I love working with you guys. This locum venture has been probably the best decision that I have made by far at this stage of my career.'

    Dr R Bookun

  • 'It's great working with you guys. Being new in this business, I find your help with arranging paperwork a great boost.'

    Dr D Ramrekha

  • 'I have been with MOC for 10 years when I was a junior doctor. Today, I am an ED specialist, and I am still with Medic Oncall. The very feature that attracts me is the quality of your services, the personal touch, which is very rare these days. Every one of you are very nice to talk to.'

    Dr J Ding

  • "I just wanted to say many thanks for helping me out with locum work this year. If I am in need of locum work in the future, I will certainly contact you and have recommended your agency to several of my interested colleagues."

    Dr Gu

     

  • 'I have really enjoyed working with Medic Oncall. The staff are competent and very friendly and I am always offered more shifts than I could possibly want. I have been able to travel around Australia and practice medicine in a huge variety of clinical situations. Once in a while - whether it be in a big or small hospital - I run into other locum doctors and we look at each others' badges and cry out "Oh, you're from Medic Oncall too!'

    Dr S

  • 'Overall a fantastic and professional approach.'

    Dr L Vocale

  • 'I think you guys do a great job. I am looking forward to working with you in my annual leave.'

    Dr B Krishna

  • 'Thanks for sorting me out in my year off. I've been really impressed with the standard of customer service. The locum jobs have enabled me to travel the world and take a breather from the stressful environment of specialist training.'

    Dr T Oxley

  • 'The service has been great. I had work the day after I registered. My interaction with staff has always been professional, appropriate and timely.'

    Dr J Pike

  • 'I'm just writing to thank you for all your efforts to find me suitable locum shifts over the last few weeks. I've been really happy with the shifts I was able to pick up while I was here, so thanks for making that possible!'

    Dr Parkes

  • 'I have worked with your locum doctor for the past 2 nights and he is without a doubt the most outstanding locum we have had, so obliging, even offering to make us a cup of tea! Hope we see him regularly.'

    Cabrini Hospital Brighton

  • 'I wanted to thank you very deeply and sincerely for your work on my behalf. I have always found you easily contactable and just so pleasant.'

    Dr K Chumula