Real Stories - Junior Doctors

• Locuming for friendship and fun - Lisa Clarke & Caroline Mooney

  

  Why did you choose to work through MedRecruit?

  After a missed flight resulted in a lucky extra round of beers with kiwi mates, we decided we wanted to cross the ditch and live in New Zealand for a while! We are friends from uni days and had been living in different states of Australia for a few years, but realised over that last round of beers that we both had a strange desire to live in NZ at some point. So we figured why not go together, and do it now, before we delve into more training. So we contacted some of our friends who had worked in NZ and they recommended MedRecruit.

   

  What were you looking for in your placements?

  We wanted snow, fun times and good people. And we got an abundance of all three, more than we could ever have hoped for! Invercargill is only a couple of hours from Queenstown so we had four major snowfields within easy driving distance for weekends. As well as bungy, huge swings, paragliding, skydiving… you name it, Queenstown’s got it. So we found ourselves a Hilux stat and got up there at the earliest opportunity. Snowboarding was fantastic, and as soon as we were happy that we weren’t complete muppets we invested in some boots and spent as much time up there as possible. There were always at least a few people from Southland Hospital up in Queenstown for the weekend so many a Monteiths was consumed, and we may have even ended up drinking out of teapots at the World Bar, or dancing under the open roof in Winnies once or twice. It also meant that if one of us was working the weekend, there was always someone else keen for snow fun and a Fergburger. Before long the social weekends in Queenstown morphed into random weeknights out in Invers, roadtrips around the Catlins and Riverton, and an awesome AFL grandfinal weekend in a luxury spa house with 10 other Southlanders (or Honorary Southlanders).
  
  The other thing we were looking for was the chance to try a different job and to challenge ourselves professionally. We both worked there as medical registrars, which is a job we had somehow managed to avoid since graduation! So it was good to try something new. Whilst stressful at times it was a really good job and we learned a lot. Everyone in the hospital was so friendly and it was a great place to work.
  
  It really was an incredible 3 months. We have met some amazing people who we are already making plans to see again soon, and we were very sad to leave at the end of our placement. In fact we kept delaying our departure because we couldn’t bear to leave! We are still suffering Southland withdrawals. Actually I might just have to grab a Monteith’s Black from the fridge now to console myself and reminisce…
  
  (Ah, that helps ease the pain a wee bit!)

   

  How did MedRecruit deliver that?

  MedRecruit made the whole process very easy for us. Coming from Australia to New Zealand to work really is not too difficult, but there is a fair bit of paperwork involved so it was great to have someone telling us what we needed to do! They really looked after us and we were very impressed with the the contract they negotiated for us! We really couldn’t have negotiated such a good deal for ourselves. They stayed in regular contact throughout our placement to make sure everything was going well, and were always available to answer all our random questions. And always very friendly. And good company over a cuppa!
  
  

  What would you recommend to anyone looking to create some fun and adventure in their medical careers?

  It is very easy to fall into the mindset that after med school comes internship then an RMO year or two and then specialty training. Particularly if you are based in a tertiary centre where most people are focussed on working their way up the chain. Locuming really opens your eyes to the other options out there, often options you didn’t realise existed. Plus it is a great way to travel, meet new people, experience different hospitals and specialties, and gain irreplaceable life experience and professional experience. It gives you the flexibility to decide when and where you want to work, and there is no-one to refuse you holidays! MedRecruit has been great for us because they had all the contacts to find us a job that suited our needs, dealt with all the complicated bits, and are always friendly and approachable! If you are considering locuming, do it, you won’t regret it!

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• Locuming for flexibility and time to study - Jared Mathai

  

  Why did you choose to work through MedRecruit?

  Having had a good look at other agencies, MedRecruit was the only one that really got things happening for me with regards to my locuming needs!
  
  Having never locumed before, I wasn't sure whether the shopping list of somewhere by the coast, sun  and with a good hourly rate so that I could focus on exam study was too idealistic! The team at MedRecruit managed to find such a stint that worked out just brilliantly!
  
  What further caught my eye was that people on the team and other docs who had worked through MedRecruit genuinely seem to have a life outside of medicine! Reading about stories of people going skiing, exploring the Reef and working with some control over their time was something that I vaguely remembered back in med school!
  
  Finally, the reward scheme that MedRecruit has running is a concept I never equated with locuming! So far, I’m on my way to getting enough points to claim a Bose iPod deck - sweet! There are a large number of agencies out there that promise a lot but at the end of the day, I took the leap with MedRecruit and I have no regrets!!
  

  What were you looking for in your placements?

  Being brought up in the UK, which is not really known for its beaches and surf, these were probably the two top items on my placement list!!! I've always had the idea of going to work and then heading off to the beach for a surf or dip in the ocean after - probably too much Home and Away growing up!

  From a career point of view, I really wanted a job that would afford me time! You never appreciate it as such an important entity until you realise that in normal work life there never is enough time!!! With physician exams coming up very quickly, a placement that would pay the mortgage and have enough left over to allow me to focus on studies was paramount in planning with the MedRecruit team.
  
  What I ended up doing was exactly as I envisaged!

  How did MedRecruit deliver that?

  To keep the team on their toes, the large bulk of the organising was done whilst I was exploring Europe in the months leading up to October! Regular contact and updates and precisely telling me what were the priorities in terms of the mountains of paperwork really eased the stress for me - but perhaps made more for them!
  
  Last minute emailing from Singapore and a few phone calls with the registration board somehow got everything sorted for day one. It was a very professional process in getting things sorted and the deal that I ended up with after the team's negotiating on my behalf really impressed - the Great Barrier Reef was an added bonus

  What would you recommend to anyone looking to study for exams who don’t want to drop their income and they want to maintain a great lifestyle?

  For a first timer locum, MedRecruit worked out brilliantly for me! I was fortunate enough to get a placement that allowed me to learn on the job, work reasonable hours but have enough time to explore the Reef, surrounding towns and go on some great runs though the area!
  
  The rate also was a fantastic bonus as it has given me the freedom to not have to work for a while and put my energy in to nailing this exam!
  
  When my colleagues hear about my adventures, I appreciate all the more how great this time has been to give me some solid work with a fantastic lifestyle. MedRecruit did a lot of work in exploring what my needs were and even after the stint, were still looking at how they could improve their service!
  
  If you're considering locum work that will more than pay the bills, give you a life and allow you to do the things that are important to you at this time of your life, MedRecruit are well worth linking up with! I'm looking forward to more Reef time post exams!
  
  

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• Locuming for autonomy and time with family - Jason Pascoe

  Jason came to MedRecruit looking for locum work that would place him in control of his destiny and give him more time with his children. He was sick of being pushed around by a hospital system that expects doctors to work extra hours for no additional remuneration, taking time away from family.
  
  For Jason it was important to secure long term locum work as he couldn’t be constantly moving around as it would be disruptive on his family. Jason told MedRecruit what he wanted and MedRecruit secured him a long term locum placement earning three times what he earned as a salaried doctor.

  As a locum, Jason now calls the shots and works under his terms, not as a pawn that hospitals can push around as they want.

  Why did you choose to work through MedRecruit?

  I saw Medrecruit as a new, enthusiastic company which was, importantly, run by doctors. So far, I have not been disappointed! They have been proactive in finding work for me and they have provided jobs that match what is important to me in my career and lifestyle. Medrecruit has not stopped at finding me work, they also have provided advice and options for setting myself up in business which is really useful because I didn’t know where to start

  What were you looking for in a placement?

  I wanted the freedom and extra financial rewards that locuming provides, but also the security and stability of longer term placements that one with a family requires. I wanted to be able to take time-off when I wanted, I wanted to have the freedom to pick and choose runs and, especially, I wanted to have an account that didn't show $0 by the time my next salary came 'round; even after paying off good chunks of my significant debts!!!

  How did MedRecruit deliver that?

  Medrecruit delivered by finding out exactly what it was that I wanted in both my career and lifestyle and then, based on that, recommending to me, and then securing for me, a job that provided these things. They negotiated an excellent rate of pay and have ensured, through regular contact that the job continues to be what I expected and wanted.

  What would you recommend to anyone looking to take control of their medical careers?

  That's a simple one!!! You either get onto a training scheme ASAP and try to get through the next 5-15 years as fast as you can or you locum.

  MedRecruit has always been about showing doctors what they are really worth and what locuming in medicine has to offer. Armed with their database of not just what each location/hospital can offer you in your work, but also what it can offer in terms of lifestyle, they aim to find the complete work/lifestyle placement for you. The fact I have worked solely with MedRecruit for the last four years is testament to the success they have had in doing this for me.

  My big recommendation is choose MedRecruit, they will look after you incredibly well. After you’ve been working with MedRecruit for a while you wonder how you managed without them!

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• Locuming to access incredible experiences - Juan Carlos Ascencio-Lane

  Juan is everybody’s favourite Irish Mexican! He is excited about everything; you’ll struggle to find anyone with more zest for life. Juan came to MedRecruit looking for locum placements that would allow him to see New Zealand and pursue his passion for outdoor activities.
  
  Juan came to New Zealand in 2006 looking for a better lifestyle; and he has certainly found it! He started with a year in Blenheim then he talked to MedRecruit about getting locum work where he could create the lifestyle of his dreams.
  
  Juan has locumed mainly at Southland Hospital. He’s hardly spent a single weekend in Invercargill though; come Saturday you’ll find him exploring Stuart Island, heli-skiing in the Southern Alps or mountain biking in Queenstown. You’ll need to be the Energiser Bunny if you want to keep up!
  
  Juan has also used locuming to get around New Zealand to do things he wants; he’s locumed in Wellington so he could get up there for the Sevens and he’s locumed in Nelson so he could visit friends.
  
  Juan is an inspiration for other doctors because he shows you what an incredible lifestyle you can use locuming to create.
  

   

  Why did you choose to work through MedRecruit?

  They were excited that I would take the chance to come work in New Zealand and wanted to genuinely ensure that I maximised my time here. I felt from the outset that MedRecruit would always look after my best interests, as they not only listened to what I wanted to do in my career, but also took into account the lifestyle that I was looking for.

  What were you looking for in your placements?

  I wanted to regain control of my life and to do the things I love; time in the outdoors whilst keeping my medical career on track. I wanted a stable locum position, but also to be able to travel around New Zealand, to visit friends and events, and to have my travel paid for by hospitals! I also wanted to be able to take a few months off to visit Ireland; something I hoped locuming could deliver.

  How did MedRecruit deliver that?

  
  MedRecruit delivered on all I asked, and more. Most people can hardly believe how great a year I’ve had so far. I have locumed in the same hospital for 13 months (with stints I chose at other hospitals); something I could never have achieved without MedRecruit’s help. I also did not have to sacrifice my career; I got a great job in ED for three months, and with MedRecruit’s guidance and support, managed to get a position as a medical registrar (the most senior I have been).
  
  But the main fact that this year has been so great is my lifestyle. MedRecruit listened to my needs of the type of lifestyle I craved. They found a place that was only two hours from the ski-fields of Queenstown, where I can mountain bike, tramp and even grab a quick surf after work!
  
  

  What was great during this year was MedRecruit’s flexibility; they always listened to me, and continuously found ways of achieving what I wanted. They got me work in Wellington so I could have a paid trip to the 7’s, they arranged work in Nelson and Blenheim so I could go mountain biking with friends, and they even arranged three months off for me to travel home to visit my family, awesome!

  I wanted to regain control of my life and to do the things I love; time in the outdoors whilst keeping my medical career on track. I wanted a stable locum position, but also to be able to travel around New Zealand, to visit friends and events, and to have my travel paid for by hospitals! I also wanted to be able to take a few months off to visit Ireland; something I hoped locuming could deliver. How did MedRecruit deliver that? MedRecruit delivered on all I asked, and more. Most people can hardly believe how great a year I’ve had so far. I have locumed in the same hospital for 13 months (with stints I chose at other hospitals); something I could never have achieved without MedRecruit’s help. I also did not have to sacrifice my career; I got a great job in ED for three months, and with MedRecruit’s guidance and support, managed to get a position as a medical registrar (the most senior I have been). But the main fact that this year has been so great is my lifestyle. MedRecruit listened to my needs of the type of lifestyle I craved. They found a place that was only two hours from the ski-fields of Queenstown, where I can mountain bike, tramp and even grab a quick surf after work! What was great during this year was MedRecruit’s flexibility; they always listened to me, and continuously found ways of achieving what I wanted. They got me work in Wellington so I could have a paid trip to the 7’s, they arranged work in Nelson and Blenheim so I could go mountain biking with friends, and they even arranged three months off for me to travel home to visit my family, awesome!

  What would you recommend to anyone looking to create an unforgettable experience in their medical careers?

  I think the most important thing to create an unforgettable experience in your medical career is to take control; determine your goals in life and medicine then make it happen! Before I spoke to MedRecruit, I went along with whatever medicine threw at me. But MedRecruit showed me that I could pursue my passion for the outdoors and also advance my career. I thought that I might have had to make some sacrifices; but I have not had to give anything up, MedRecruit showed me that I can have it all!

   

  This year, I have learnt that if you ask, you just may get it, and it is what has made this an unforgettable year.

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• Locuming for career control - Jacqui Clee

  I was looking for work after a period of not working. I now have work, yay! The three biggest challenges I had were extremely long hours and poor rostering, the hassle of applying for jobs, and I needed more experience. Now, I can choose my hours, I have updated my skills and MedRecruit has provided me much needed support in applying for jobs.
  
  I had been finding it difficult to return to work and the impact of the changes I have made means I can choose my rotations in the areas I want experience, and no longer have to work crazy hours. I was feeling like my skills and experience of ten years in the public hospital system was being wasted. Now I feel like I have control of my career and I can now make contribution that is sustainable.
  

   

   

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