Common Mistakes New Locum Pharmacists Make (and How to Avoid Them)

The world of locum pharmacy offers an incredible amount of freedom, flexibility, and a fantastic opportunity to broaden your clinical experience. The ability to set your own schedule, experience different pharmacy environments, and earn a competitive rate is a major draw for many pharmacists. However, the transition from a permanent role to the dynamic life of a locum can be challenging.

New locums, in their enthusiasm, can sometimes fall into common traps that can affect their performance, reputation, and even their finances. By being aware of these pitfalls from the start, you can ensure a smoother, more successful, and more rewarding locum career.

Here are some of the most common mistakes new locum pharmacists make and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.

1. Mistake: Showing Up Unprepared

Walking into a new pharmacy completely blind is one of the biggest errors a locum can make. Every pharmacy has its own unique workflow, patient demographic, and set of services. A lack of preparation can lead to a chaotic and stressful day, making you appear unprofessional and inefficient.

How to Avoid It:

• Do Your Homework: When you accept a booking, ask the agency or pharmacy manager for key details. What Patient Medication Record (PMR) system do they use (e.g., ProScript Connect, Cegedim Pharmacy Manager)? What services do they offer (e.g., flu jabs, New Medicine Service, Discharge Medicine Service)?

• Call Ahead: A brief, polite call to the pharmacy a day or two before your shift can make a world of difference. Introduce yourself and ask if there's anything specific you need to know before you arrive.

• Arrive Early: Aim to get there 10-15 minutes before your shift starts. This gives you time to find the essentials: the log-ins, the Controlled Drugs (CD) register, the date stamp, and to introduce yourself properly to the team without being rushed.

2. Mistake: Failing to Communicate and Integrate

Some new locums adopt a "lone wolf" mentality, keeping their head down and avoiding interaction. This is a mistake. Pharmacy is a team sport. Failing to introduce yourself, ask questions, and integrate with the staff can create a tense atmosphere and lead to errors. The dispensary team are your greatest asset for the day; they know the patients and the processes inside out.

How to Avoid It:

• Introduce Yourself: As soon as you arrive, introduce yourself to every member of the team, from the dispenser and accuracy checking technician (ACT) to the healthcare assistants. A simple "Hi, I'm [Your Name], the locum pharmacist for today. It's great to meet you," goes a long way.

• Ask Questions: Don't pretend you know everything. If you're unsure where something is or how a specific process works, just ask. It’s far better to ask a "silly" question than to make a serious mistake. Ask about regular patients, local surgery quirks, and the pharmacy's standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Be Approachable: Smile, be polite, and show the team you're there to support them, not just to sign prescriptions. Offer to help with tasks during quieter periods.

3. Mistake: Financial and Administrative Negligence

The financial freedom of locuming comes with administrative responsibility. Many new locums are unprepared for the business side of things. Forgetting to set aside money for tax, not understanding IR35 legislation, or having a disorganised invoicing system can cause significant financial and legal headaches down the line.

How to Avoid It:

• Get an Accountant: This is the single best piece of advice for any new locum. An accountant who specialises in locums or healthcare professionals can advise you on whether to operate as a sole trader or limited company, explain the implications of IR35, and ensure you are tax-efficient.

• Open a Separate Business Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate from day one. This makes tracking income and expenses for your tax return significantly easier.

• Be Meticulous with Invoicing: Use a clear, professional invoice template. Send your invoices promptly after completing a shift and keep a spreadsheet to track what's been sent, paid, and what's outstanding. Tools like Xero or QuickBooks can be invaluable.

• Save for Tax: A good rule of thumb is to set aside around 30% of every payment you receive in a separate savings account specifically for your tax and National Insurance bill.

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4. Mistake: Leaving a Poor Handover

At the end of a long day, it's tempting to pack up and leave the second your shift ends. However, leaving behind unresolved issues, a messy dispensary, or no handover notes for the regular pharmacist is a sure-fire way to not get booked again. The goal is to make the transition back to the regular pharmacist as seamless as possible.

How to Avoid It:

• Tidy Up: Leave the dispensary as you would hope to find it. Tidy the bench, file away prescriptions, and deal with any queries you can.

• Write Clear Handover Notes: Use a communication book or leave a clear, concise note. Detail any unresolved queries, owed prescriptions, orders you've placed, or important patient interactions.

• Manage the Owings: Don't let oweing slips pile up. Do a stock check on key items and ensure anything you've ordered is clearly marked for the next day's team. A well-managed owings system is the hallmark of a great locum.

5. Mistake: Inflexibility

While you have your own efficient way of working, remember that you are a guest in someone else's "work home." Trying to impose your methods or criticising the pharmacy's established processes can cause friction with the team.

How to Avoid It:

• Observe and Adapt: In your first hour, observe the pharmacy's workflow. How do they handle workflow? Where do they assemble prescriptions? Adapt your style to fit their system for the day.

• Offer Suggestions, Don't Impose Demands: If you see a way to improve a process that could genuinely help them, phrase it as a helpful suggestion rather than a criticism. For example, "At another pharmacy, I saw they did X, and it seemed to work really well. Just a thought!"

• Respect the Team's Expertise: The permanent staff have a wealth of pharmacy-specific knowledge. Respect their experience and be willing to learn from them.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can build a strong reputation as a reliable, professional, and highly capable locum pharmacist. This not only leads to more consistent bookings and better rates but also makes for a more enjoyable and fulfilling career. Happy locuming!