Ask for the exact hours, the department and what you will cover, who to call for support, the rate and payment date, and what happens if either side has to cancel.
Confirm the start and end time, the department or ward, and how to reach the hospital. Ask whether the shift includes on-call hours at home or only time on site.
Ask what patients and procedures you are expected to handle, whether there is a nurse or a junior doctor with you, and what is outside your remit. Knowing the limits beforehand protects you and the patients.
Find out who the senior on call is and how to reach them at night. A locum should never be left without a way to escalate a difficult case.
Agree the rate for the whole shift, whether anything such as food or travel is included, and the date the hospital will pay you. Agree what happens if either side cancels, and keep the details in writing.
On Rounds the date, hours and rate are on the shift before you accept, and cancellation requires a reason that the other side sees.
Every registration checked against NMC records. Zero commission, the hospital pays the doctor directly.
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