Are you nervous about the pay rate talk? Do you feel anxious when it comes to talking about money?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Negotiating rates is an inseparable aspect of locuming. In this blog post, we’ve put together a list of five tips to help set you on a path to negotiation success.
Tip 1: Research the ‘going rate’
Your first task to ensure the best possible rate is to know what other locums are earning where you intend to book a shift. Before seeking to negotiate a higher rate of pay, make sure you speak to other locums and research the average hourly rates offered online and on social media groups.
*For an overview of average hourly rates in the UK, check out this chart
However, also keep in mind that while supply and demand in particular areas are important drivers of rates, other important factors include time and length of shift, your experience and skills, the nature of the role being filled, and the services you will be providing.
Tip 2: Know your worth
Individual locums should identify a range of rates they are comfortable with and choose shifts that meet this. This could mean working at the lower end of the pay scale if the shift on offer is close by and convenient, but asking for a higher rate if the shift is outside regular working hours or an emergency one that will start within less than 48 hours. In the CuRisApp, the latter will appear first and displayed in red on your list of available jobs.
What’s more, the hourly rate should reflect the workload you will undertake whilst working. If a pharmacy is quite busy and doesn’t have many staff members available, feel confident to ask for a higher pay. Different days of the week will also attract different rates – finding a locum on a weekend is more difficult since most people want the weekends off. But that pays better. On the other hand, a distance-selling pharmacy which doesn’t offer any extra services to its patients is likely to pay less.
And a bonus tip: If your area has a demographic that you speak the language of, you will be able to boost the trust in the medical facility by taking shifts there. That’s hugely valuable, and a differentiator for that practice against their competition. To employers, this is definitely worth more than somebody who doesn’t speak that language.
Tip 3: Be flexible
The great thing about working as a locum is that you have control over the location of the job, its length and settings. You have the freedom to create the shift schedule that fits your own lifestyle and situation. Schedule flexibility is ideal for those who have commitments outside of work, such as raising a family, caring for a loved one, or even working another full-time job. That said, the more flexible you are about your schedule, the better positioned you are to negotiate a higher pay rate.
Consider the following questions:
- Do I want to work during the day on weekdays?
- Do I want to work night shifts on weekdays and weekends?
- Do I want to work on holidays?
- Am I willing to take on-call shifts?
- Am I willing to take emergency shifts?
Keep in mind that permanent staff members would rather not take the above-listed shifts, so the more of these questions you say yes to, the higher your hourly rate is likely going to be.
Tip 4: Be confident but realistic during negotiations
After having identified the specifics of the shift you’re applying to, identify for yourself in advance a range that you believe is fair for the current case. If you are convinced that it is fair, this will also be evident in the way you communicate. As long as you are clear on the value and benefits that you bring, that will empower you to feel confident and ready to counter a low offer.
When you have identified a salary range, during the negotiations, ask for a rate on the higher end of that range.Give yourself wiggle room to still achieve the salary target you’re happy with. Speak confidently. The worst that could happen is you are told no. In any case, this is better than never trying to get a higher locum rate in the first place.
In the CuRisApp, you have the opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light ahead of the negotiation – you can add an up-to-date CV in the My Profile section, you can showcase some of your relevant experience when applying for a specific job, and last but not least, there is always a negotiation button available. When you use the negotiation feature make sure your rate is realistic, taking into account the urgency of the shift, your experience, the day of the week, etc.
Tip 5: Build relationships
When you get a shift that you are happy with in terms of hourly rate, then make sure you leave a lasting impression. Most medical facilities and pharmacies have their favourite locum or at least a bank of trusted locums. These are people who are professional, reliable, and go the extra mile in serving their patients. Employers are likely to increase hourly rates for locums who have proven themselves capable of offering excellent services. If you impress the team on the shifts you work, then expect to be called back, with the possibility of a better pay rate. From here, sky’s the limit!
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Head to the CuRisApp mobile application to upload your rockstar CV and start looking for shifts. If you haven’t registered on the mobile app yet, get yourself started on Android or iOS
You can always drop us an email if you need further support at hello@curisapp.com
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Sources:
https://blog.mylocumchoice.com/how-to-negotiate-a-better-rate-of-pay-as-a-locum-pharmacist/
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD004939/Negotiating-locum-rates-please-can-we-have-some-more
https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/in-practice/career-development/2020/08/12/negotiating-fees-as-a-locum
https://www.lucidityjobs.com/blog/what-is-the-typical-locum-tenens-hospitalist-rate/
https://www.lucidityjobs.com/blog/how-to-negotiate-locum-rates/
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/tohidul.islam/viz/PharmacyRevu/Story1
