GP FAQ
How does IrishLocum.ie work?IrishLocum.ie works in the following way:
Doctors interested in doing locum work register their details with IrishLocum.ie.
When registering, they include the area/areas of the country where they are available for work - e.g. North Dublin, Cork City, Kildare, etc.
A GP can then contact the registered locums, simply by going to the IrishLocum.ie website.
You will need to fill in some brief details of the required locum - dates, contact name and telephone number.
On completion a message is sent instantaneously to the mobile phone of each locum registered in your area.
Available locums can then contact you directly. You are free to negotiate rates of pay directly with the locum. There is no commission payable to IrishLocum.ie.
For example:
22 doctors are actively looking for locum work in the Galway.
A GP in Galway needs a locum.
He/She logs on to IrishLocum.ie and fills in the locum vacancy details.
A text message containing the details of the locum requirement is sent to each of these 22 doctors.
Available locums can then contact the GP directly.
The GP arranges details with the locum - rates, curriculum vitae, references etc.
Why should I use IrishLocum.ie?
IrishLocum.ie takes the stress and hassle out of organising a locum.
We are confident that you will save both time and money using IrishLocum.ie.
Notification is sent instantaneously to all registered locums in your area. This is faster than if you were to phone them all individually. It is invaluable if you need a locum at short notice.
IrishLocum.ie is quick and easy to use.
There is no commission or agency placement charge.
How much does it cost?
IrishLocum.ie saves you both time and money.
Fill in your locum details and an SMS message will be sent to all locum doctors in your area.
This will save staff time and reduce your phone bills.
IrishLocum.ie uses a pay-as-you-go system. The charges are as follows:
- 1 euro + VAT per SMS for the first 20 locums.
- 80 cent + VAT for each SMS message for locums 21 to 40.
- 50 cent + VAT for the remaining SMS messages sent.
e.g. If 25 locums are registered it costs 24 euro + VAT to contact them. (20 at 1 euro plus 5 at 80 cent)
Before sending your message, you are told how many locums will receive the SMS and the cost involved. You are under no obligation to send the request if you are not satisfied.
No commission allows considerable savings in comparison to using a locum agency.
Is IrishLocum.ie a locum agency?
No. We are not a locum agency. We are a messaging service. We make finding a locum more efficient and reliable.
Does IrishLocum.ie charge any commission?
No. We do not charge any commission either to the locum or the GP.
I get a locum through IrishLocum.ie and I want to employ him/her again in the future. Are there any restrictions on employing that locum directly?
No. There are no restrictions. You are free to contact that locum directly in the future.
What happens if I decide to take the locum on for a longer period. Is there any introduction fee?
Some locum agencies charge an introduction fee for taking on a locum on a longer contract. This can be a significant percentage of the annual salary.
However as we are not a locum agency, you are free to deal directly with the locum.
There will be no fees owed to IrishLocum.ie.
Can you guarantee that if I send a request I will get locum cover?
When you send a request for a locum with IrishLocum.ie, all doctors registered in your area will be contacted by text message with the details.
Available locums will then contact you directly.
However, we cannot guarantee that when you send a request for a locum that you will get one. It depends on the number of locums registered in your area and their availability to work at that particular time.
Is there a set rate of pay?
IrishLocum.ie does not recommend a set rate of pay to locums. The GP and the locum are free to negotiate a suitable rate of payment.
Do I need to check if the locum has Medical Council Registration?
Yes. You will need to make sure that the locum doctor is registered with the Irish Medical Council. We ask all locums to provide proof of medical council registration when doing a locum.
Do I need to check if the locum has Medical Indemnity?
Yes. You will need to check that the locum has medical indemnity. We ask all locums to ensure that they organise medical indemnity and ask them to bring these details with them.
What if I don't want to employ a certain locum?
You are under no obligation to employ anyone who may contact you through IrishLocum.ie.
My practice is in Longford. Can I contact locums in Cavan, Westmeath and Roscommon areas as they are within commuting distance?
In general most locums who register with IrishLocum.ie do so in their own county and the surrounding counties that are within commuting distance. In your case, there are a number of locums who have registered in Cavan, Westmeath and Longford so your locum vacancy text message will reach them. You do not need to register your practice in Cavan as well as Longford. This is the way the website model has been set up. It allows the locums to decide which areas they are available to work in.
Are my details secure?
Yes. We will not pass on your details to any third party and your details are kept secure on our system. IrishLocum uses 128bit SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer) encryption to transfer your personal data between your web-browser and our server. To check that SSL encryption is enabled look for the pad-lock symbol at the bottom of your internet browser window.
