1) Getting Started.

It is desirable that you have some community experience. If not, approach large city centre pharmacies, they often employ two or more pharmacists and several technicians. You will be the second pharmacist and carrying out clinical and final checks. If you are outgoing, they will be pleased if you are the 'front' man/woman dealing with customer queries and handing out completed scripts.

If you have some experience, simply create a CV and a card and walk around local pharmacies to introduce yourself. Give dates available and remember that they will want someone for Weekends/Bank Holidays for starters.

2) First time at a new pharmacy.

If possible, ask to visit during 'quiet' time to see the dispensary layout and PMR system. Always 'phone the day before to confirm and ask re parking, hours, lunchtime closure etc. Would be good to obtain seniors home 'phone or mobile and give your own. Useful if stuck on the motorway.

3) Information exchange.

Ask for notes to be left. Even if they say the dispenser will be there, she could be away ill that day. Leave notes for your successor (In diary is best). Nothing more annoying than the patient coming in and say something was promised and you know nothing about it. Phone the following day to resolve any queries. If something permanent ie the flavour of Gaviscon put a note into PMR. 

4) Be punctual. 

I was usually the first to arrive. Remember to sign in as RS. With regard to SOPs, many companies have these available as PDFs and will email them to you on request (could be 6mb or more).

You cannot expect to have detailed knowledge of SOPs, but check critical areas: Eg: Handling of CDs. Owings, 'loans', emergency supplies. Generally, fall in with 'custom and practice' unless you consider there is a danger.

5) Get accredited in the various CCGs. 

These will usually mean studying a CPP course and attendance at a CCG organised meeting. I have had to stay away on some occasions. All training costs such as mileage and accommodation can be claimed against tax. List any accreditation in your letters eg:

PCT Accreditations:

Cambridgeshire: Smartcard, MUR, EHC PGD, Impetigo PGD, Smoking Cessation

Suffolk: Smartcard, MUR, Smoking Cessation.

Norfolk: Smartcard, MUR.

6) Locum co-ordinators etc

These can be obtained by 'phoning the local pharmacy and asking for details.

Write an introductory letter with details of experience etc, accreditations etc.

List available dates for three months ahead and each month confirm existing bookings and give dates available on a rolling three-month basis. Most coordinators like to communicate by email. Keep two diaries, one personal and one desk-sized to be the master diary. Reconcile at least once a week.

7) Average Pharmacy Locum Wages.

Many companies have standard rates for locums, however, you should set your own standard wage and use that as default.

Eg, 

Monday to Friday 8-7 £23/hour

Saturday £26/hour

Sundays/Bank Holidays Rota £43.50 for the first hour

£29/hour

Christmas, Easter, New Year's Day £59 for the first hour, Sunday rate thereafter.

You could negotiate your own rate for emergencies, ie booked on the day.

Mileage is usually paid after 40 miles total. Ie 44 miles, you can claim for 4 miles. As this constitutes part of your fee, you will be taxed and therefore the total mileage ie 44 can be claimed against tax (currently allowance is 40p/mile).

Some companies require you to fill in an invoice on a form, others on the computer. Issue an internal invoice for your accounting. For a good locum, form go to www.pharmacysop.com

7) Taxation and Accounts

You can start your financial year at any time. However, I was advised to start on May 1st. This meant I had the best part of two years to prepare accounts. I would strongly advise the use of an accountant. One advertises on this and other forums, another advertises specifically to locums in the PJ. The PDA has just started offering accountancy. If you are a full-time locum, consider becoming a limited company and pay yourself the minimum wage and take the rest as dividends which carry a lower tax rate.

Tax is paid twice a year, July and January. Make sure payment is on time. You should set aside approximately 25% income to cover the tax. This can be deposited in a fixed interest account, I put mine into Premium Bonds.

If your wife/husband/partner is not working, then pay them to look after the diary/phone and maybe do some bookkeeping.

8) Records

It is essential to keep your personal money completely separate. I originally had a business account at the bank but found charges excessive. I then changed to a NationWide Business Account and they make no charges and pay interest. However, you will need £5,000 as an initial deposit. Most of this can be drawn out when the account opened. You will receive a bank statement each month and it is vital that your records match this exactly. I maintain three accounts inside Sage: Cash payments, Bank payments and Bank receipts. Inside each account are various nominal acts and each payment or receipt can be allocated to a specific nominal code ie Petrol is 7300.

9) Accountants

As said before, the advice is essential. Accountants advertise in the forum and in the PJ. Some will accept Sage accts, others want figures set out on Excel spreadsheet. Once you have your master set, fairly easy to present as your accountant requires. Remember that you could be investigated at any time by IR. Accounts should be preserved for six years. Use of an accountant will mean that investigation risk is minimised, they have their reputations to safeguard.

10) Pharmacy Cross-Platform Accreditation

There are many different types of PMR systems. Often when starting it can be quite confusing and difficult to adjust. We have created a course that is recognized by all major locuming firms which train you to use all the different major PMR systems. Click the link below to join up or follow this link to learn more about the Pharmacy Cross-Platform Accreditation.