Locum doctors reveal why they work with Ochre Recruitment
Looking for that next medical career move or locum adventure can be time consuming and exhausting, but it doesn't have to be. Working with an agency like Ochre Recruitment removes all the legwork, giving you access to job prospects before they go to market, and can often result in a much more attractive remuneration package or higher locum rates. At Ochre, we have a proven track record of building relationships that last the distance and we're proud of our reputation for putting our doctors first. But don’t just take our word for it. We caught up with some of our locum doctors and asked them why they turned to Ochre to help them secure locum jobs.
General Practitioner Dr Mohan got off to a flying “locum” start in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. What were your first impressions of working as a Locum GP and with Ochre?
“I started my GP locum journey last year and your locum team came highly recommended to me by a friend so I contacted Ochre. I first spoke to Ken Smith in the Hobart office and found him warm, friendly, and easy to talk to on the phone. I appreciated his laid back nature and found he had a genuine interest in getting the best locum placements that suited my lifestyle.
“After speaking with Ken, I was then put in touch with the team in the Sydney office who took the time to explain the whole locum process. Erin came across as very patient and understanding in our phone conversations. Ochre seems to get higher rates than other agencies, efficiently sort out issues, and are easily reachable via phone or email. They have made my time as a GP locum seem like a true working holiday!”
Working as a rural generalist is both interesting and fulfilling, with no two days ever the same. And when you throw in the opportunities to travel the length and breadth of Australia, it can prove to be one of the most rewarding career moves you could make as a general practitioner. Here’s what the charismatic Dr Taulke-Johnson had to say on the topic.
“Where on earth can you get all the good stuff? From fractures, diabetic comas, myocardial infarcts, snake bites, pneumonia, retrieval medicine, to cyclones and rodeos... How can you travel Australia, see different places, meet interesting people, see how they live and learn different things? Where can you get comfortable accommodation, quality food, good salary and meticulously organised transport? When your plane springs an oil leak and you are stranded, which organisation fixes it, gets you out, and flies you home pretty much on time? Where can you experience all of these things rolled up into one?
As a Rural and Remote GP very interested in emergency medicine, I have found the secret, an organisational treasure trove. I’ve been to Nyngan, St George, Julia Creek, Mt Isa, Doomadgee and Mornington Island and I’m just getting started. Ochre Recruitment gives me the jobs I like, visiting the places I like and maintaining the lifestyle I want. Like the cat with two bowls of cream, it’s a wonderful life. Try it. Once you jump on board with Ochre, you'll never get off.”
Like many doctors, Dr Baker has worked with a number of agencies throughout his accomplished GP career. We asked him, what makes Ochre different?
“Well I’ve been practising medicine for more than 50 years and working as a locum GP in the latter part, predominantly in a rural setting. My association with Ochre began in 2014. In the years prior thereto I had worked through a variety of locum agencies, many of which were excellent. This has given me a framework for comparison and I consider myself fortunate to have become involved with your team whose work goes above and beyond when trying to find placements to suit my experience, expectations, principles, and style of practice. You manage the fit between doctor and practice with aplomb and understanding.
The result of this close working relationship is peace of mind and satisfaction for the practice providing the locum work, the agency and the locum doctor. A good proportion of the jobs are repeat locums with a return to a favoured destination. This in itself offers advantages for the various practices with foreknowledge on both sides. The various members of the Ochre team are ever willing to make flight and practice arrangements to suit both the locum and the practice concerned and there is never the feeling that something is too much bother for them. Quite the opposite in fact.
In the past two years I have been working almost exclusively with Phil Dixon whom I have found to be extremely knowledgeable, efficient, friendly and with whom I have developed great rapport. It makes it so much easier to negotiate the pathway to a locum job if the agent has smoothed the path, seamlessly made the arrangements to suit both parties and presented a clear idea of what is expected. With the passage of time this process has become very streamlined when dealing with Veronica and I am constantly appreciative of her communication and organisational skills.”
Sometimes a change is all you need. Just ask kiwi GP Dr Nash.
"After over 30 years of experience in a New Zealand urban group General Practice, I felt I needed new challenges to reignite my enthusiasm in family medicine. Since joining Ochre Recruitment in April 2017, I’ve completed 11 short-term GP / community hospital locums.
"The Ochre team’s friendly efficiency dealing with all aspects of the seemingly endless administrative details & complicated travel arrangements has made my new career & lifestyle achievable, and both financially & personally rewarding."
Thank you to our locum doctors for sharing your experiences with us.
It’s very satisfying knowing that the doctors we advocate for not only enjoy the locums we arrange but also value the relationships we share.
If you are considering locum work and you’re not already a member of our happy network of doctors, we’d love to hear from you. We offer unrivaled access to diverse locum roles in all medical specialties.
