Real Stories - Senior Doctors

• Dr. Georgia Stefanko, Anaesthetics Consultant

  Georgia came to MedRecruit looking for a fun placement to fill in some time before resuming a training position after she passed her Part 1 Anaesthetic exams. 

  She wanted to live on a beach resort; somewhere where you could wear jandals and a singlet all year round! But she also wanted a job that would complement her chosen career. MedRecruit found her an accredited ICU position in picturesque Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.  

  On arrival in Port Macquarie Georgia found the RMO unit to be really accommodating; they put her up in a great apartment and even gave her a rental car! Soon after arrival she had her first surfing lessons in the azure blue ocean, warm enough that a wetsuit wasn’t needed, and the adventure began!  Georgia was going to return to the ‘real world’ after three months, but was loving the adventure so much that she extended her time in Port Macquarie to nine months! 

  Why did you choose to work through MedRecruit?

  MedRecruit is unique in their dedicated emphasis on lifestyle and tailoring to the individual doctor.  Like me, they see work as only one component of life and were committed to finding me a placement where I could live the life I wanted – one full of new adventures, experiences and people.   

  What were you looking for in your placements?

  I wanted the best of both worlds:  A fun, stimulating, challenging job in a spot where I could enjoy the sunshine and beaches and get into water skiing, surfing and diving.  Not only that, but a decent roster with enough time off to have a few long weekends partying in Sydney!  Good money and the fact that I can accredit this placement towards my overall registrar training time have had a huge influence in my decision to stay for a full nine months.  But, overall, it’s the stunning weather and easy lifestyle that keep me pinching myself. 

  How did MedRecruit deliver that?

  Firstly, they understood that it was important to me that my placement not only complemented but furthered my medical experience and career.  They listened to my needs and were really approachable, efficient and supportive with all my queries.  Most importantly, however, after studying for the best part of 12 months last year, they tailored the placement in such a way that I could remember what it was like to have fun!  Being in Port Macquarie keeps me enthused and passionate about living life to the fullest, and reminds me that you only live once! 

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

  Primarily, I think you need to take a step back from the day-to-day grind and adjust your focus.  The career ladder seems incredibly prescribed and restrictive in medicine, but it doesn’t have to be.  Locuming is a great way to give yourself flexibility with the assurance of good money, and shorter term contracts if you want.  You also have the power to negotiate for any extras that are important to you and I have to thank MedRecruit for their efforts in achieving this for me.  I would recommend MedRecruit to any like-minded soul who prioritises living and having fun as top of the list.

   

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• Dr. Kevin Naidoo, General Surgeon

  

  I am a General Surgeon. Before joining MedRecruit, I was contracted as the Chief Clinical Director with a simulation education company and doing occasional locums organized by myself. I would take on locums abroad in countries like the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and with the navy.
  
  I registered with MedRecruit in February 2011. Thus far I have worked in Whakatane and Greymouth for periods ranging from two to nine weeks at a time.
  
  I decided to pursue “full time” locum work to obtain more “me time”. This allows me to have more time to do things that I want to; spend more time with the family, travel abroad, and tinker around the house with hobbies like computing, carpentry and gardening. Locum work allows me the flexibility to choose the places where I want to work, when I take my breaks and the duration of each locum while earning at least the same, but often more, annually than a full time position.
  
  Initially I was nervous that there would not be enough locum work. With the team at MedRecruit though, I found out that there is always a choice available to plan ahead. With more work available in Australia, MedRecruit is now assisting me with obtaining the necessary registrations that will allow me to work there.
  
  I have worked as a locum doctor for 18 months in the UK and had to negotiate with the locum agency my rate of pay and was often pressured to take on more work at short notice. MedRecruit’s approach to locum doctors has taken away the pressure, anxiety and negativity that can be associated with locum work.

   

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• Dr. Tim Dawbarn, Medical Director

  I was working as a civilian contractor for the military (aviation and military medicine) to allow time to care for my terminally ill wife. I had previously worked in and directed a busy private emergency department in a large provincial city. Since my wife died over a year ago, I am taking on more and more challenging roles with MedRecruit. At present I am Medical Director of Immigration Health on Christmas Island.
  
  Prior to locuming my main challenges were the day to day issues of a busy emergency practice. A bit repetitious and the politics gradually become very wearing (" Not that issue, again ...."). Rewarding to see "my" Emergency Centre (set up with an equal medical partner) thrive, but then mostly just hard work. Locuming has given me the chance to actively engage in the roles I choose to take, but the opportunity to move on to new challenges before issues become mundane or repetitive. This has already led to an enlarged pool of good friends, memorable clinical events and social experiences, both at home and overseas.
  
  I earn a substantial income for approximately half time work. That leaves me plenty of time (and the cash) to pursue other interests such as fitting out my yacht for the planned Grand Sydney to Hobart to Cape Horn Adventure of 2014-15. See you in Tierra Del Fuego?
  
  I can't think of a better way to re-enter the world after a painful personal loss. I know my skills (and even unusual sense of humour) are valued and the staff at MedRecruit now feel like considerate friends. I suspect it will be a long term relationship as Paul knows I am happy enough to take on almost anything (within my scope of practice).
  

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• Dr. Ricardo Jurawan, Gastroenterology Fellow

  Before locuming/working with MedRecruit I was working steady busy hospital shifts in Sydney! Now I'm working at Middlemore Hospital but will be relocating to the Hawkes Bay. The reason I decided to start locuming was so I could move around visiting new places, meet new friends, establish new relationships and get to sightsee somewhere I haven't been before! By locuming and partnering with MedRecruit I've found I've been able to explore the great outdoors from Invercargill to Tauranga. The impact that this has had on my life has been profound, enabling new vistas to be opened and getting to see how wonderful medical professionals cope with a busy workload wherever they work! I now feel energised! Locuming really does give you a new perspective.
  

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