Junior Doctors

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the hospital pay for my indemnity insurance?

  As a locum doctor you’ll need to pay for your own indemnity insurance.
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• Will locuming negatively affect my career?

  The thousands of doctors MedRecruit has helped into locum work tell us it’s a great way to gain exposure and experience with other areas of medicine and to in fact progress their careers faster than they could when they were salaried.  
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• Am I employed by the hospital?

  As a locum doctor in New Zealand, you will be an Independent Contractor, and therefore not employed by the hospital. This means you will be able to claim your expenses and so we recommend you talk to your accountant, or if you don’t have an accountant, ask your Solutions Specialist for a free consultation with Deloitte to get you started.
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• How do I find out about vacancies?

  The very best way is to sign up for regular and up to the minute job match emails from MedRecruit. If you’re really keen, you can elect to get your saved search results emailed to you daily! And, let your Solutions Specialist know exactly what you want and they’ll work hard on your behalf to make it happen.
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• What do I need to do to get started?

  We’ll need your CV and details of three referees. Your Solutions Specialist will then contact your referees.
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• Will my travel and accommodation be covered?

  Most hospitals will cover travel and accommodation expenses for locum doctors.
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• What can I expect to earn as locum doctor in New Zealand?

  You may be aware that the District Health Board’s in New Zealand have capped the hourly rates they will pay to locum doctors.  The good news is that some hospitals will still pay good flat rates of up to $90 per hour for RMO’s, so you can still locum effectively in New Zealand!
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• Can I choose what shifts I work?

  Yes, you can. Your Solutions Specialist will help you crystallise your goals as a locum doctor and evaluate what shifts will meet your objectives.
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• What registration do I need to be a locum doctor?

  Locum doctors need to be on General Scope of Practice. For more information on what this means, see our section on Medical Registration or visit the New Zealand Medical Council website.
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• What paperwork do I need to provide?

  You will need to provide us with your APC, indemnity insurance, and MRSA swabs. One of our Placement Coordinators will contact you to make this process as simple as possible; it’s like having your very own personal assistant!
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