How to Locate a Locum Doctor Job in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Locum work plays a central role in the UK healthcare workforce, helping NHS trusts and other providers manage staffing gaps caused by leave, vacancies, and fluctuating demand. For doctors, locum roles can offer flexibility and exposure to different clinical settings, but locating suitable work requires a clear understanding of routes, requirements, and common pitfalls.

This guide explains, step by step, how to locate a locum doctor job in the UK, with a focus on factual requirements, realistic expectations, and practical decision-making.

What Is a Locum Doctor?

A locum doctor is a fully qualified clinician who undertakes temporary medical roles, usually to cover short-term service needs such as:

• Sickness or maternity leave

• Vacant posts awaiting permanent recruitment

• Seasonal or unexpected increases in patient demand

Locum work can range from single shifts to longer fixed-term placements and is common across primary care, hospitals, and community services.

How to Locate a Locum Doctor Job in the UK (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm You Meet Mandatory Requirements

Before attempting to locate a locum role, doctors must meet core legal and professional criteria.

These include:

• Full registration and a licence to practise with the General Medical Council

• The right to work in the UK (e.g. British passport, settled status, or appropriate visa)

• Up-to-date compliance documentation, such as:

  • Curriculum vitae with full employment history

  • Enhanced DBS certificate

  • Occupational health and immunisation records

  • Professional references

Registration and licensing requirements are set out by the GMC and apply equally to locum and permanent doctors. Further guidance is available via the General Medical Council.

Step 2: Decide Where You Want to Work

Locum opportunities vary significantly by:

• Specialty and grade

• Geographic region

• Setting (hospital, GP practice, out-of-hours service)

Doctors new to locum work may find that flexibility around location, shift patterns, or unsocial hours increases the likelihood of securing initial bookings, particularly in competitive regions.

Step 3: Choose Your Route to Locum Work

Most doctors locate a locum role through one or more of the following routes.

Ways to Locate a Locum Role

NHS Staff Banks

Many trusts operate internal staff banks that provide locum cover before advertising shifts externally.

Advantages:

• Familiar clinical systems and governance

• Direct engagement with the employing trust

Considerations:

• Registration can be administratively intensive

• Doctors usually negotiate rates directly

• Work is limited to a single trust or region

Information on NHS employment structures and staff banks can be found via the NHS.

Locum Agencies

Recruitment agencies act as intermediaries between doctors and healthcare providers.

Typical features include:

• Management of compliance and credential checks

• Access to vacancies across multiple trusts or practices

• Support with rota details, accommodation, or travel

Doctors often register with several agencies to maximise visibility. However, availability of shifts can vary depending on local demand and trust budgets.

Agency-Matching Platforms (Optional)

Some online platforms allow doctors to apply to multiple locum agencies through a single profile. For example, this locum agency comparison platform provides an overview of agencies and enables doctors to share details with more than one recruiter.

It is important to note that:

• Onboarding, compliance checks, and contracts remain with individual agencies

• Platforms act as facilitators rather than employers

Applying for Locum Roles Through Agency-Matching Platforms

Using an agency-matching platform can reduce duplication when contacting multiple agencies, but it does not replace standard recruitment processes.

Doctors should expect to:

• Complete agency-specific compliance checks

• Agree individual contracts and rates with each agency

• Maintain records for appraisal and revalidation

Platforms may be helpful for comparison and organisation, but they are optional rather than essential when trying to locate a locum position.

Bonuses and Incentives: What Doctors Should Know

Some agencies offer self-referral or registration bonus schemes. These typically work by:

• Offering a fixed payment once the eligibility criteria are met

• Requiring completion of a minimum number of shifts

• Applying specific timeframes and payment conditions

An example of how such schemes are structured can be seen on this locum agency referral scheme page.

Doctors should be aware that:

• Bonuses are not guaranteed

• Terms, eligibility, and payment timing vary by agency

• Incentives should not be the primary factor when choosing locum work

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When attempting to locate a locum role, doctors often encounter avoidable issues.

Common pitfalls include:

• Relying on a single agency or trust for work

• Letting compliance documents lapse

• Accepting roles without understanding local clinical protocols

• Failing to plan for tax, National Insurance, or pension implications

Careful record-keeping is also essential for annual appraisal and future GMC revalidation.

Further Reading

For a broader overview of locum practice, including employment models and market conditions, see: Your Complete Guide to Locum Doctor Work in the UK (2025–2026)

Key Takeaways

To locate a locum doctor job in the UK, doctors should:

• Ensure GMC registration, right to work, and compliance documentation are in place

• Remain flexible about roles and locations, particularly early on

• Use a combination of NHS staff banks, agencies, and optional platforms

• Approach bonuses cautiously and focus on sustainable working arrangements

A structured, informed approach makes it easier to navigate the locum market while maintaining professional standards and long-term career stability.