As an Exercise Physiologist (EP), you may find yourself wondering about the different career paths available to you. One path you might consider is locum work, which involves providing temporary and short-term coverage for other professionals who are unavailable due to vacation, illness, or other reasons. While locum work can be challenging, it offers a range of benefits, including the opportunity to gain experience across different settings and the flexibility to explore new towns and communities. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at locum work for exercise physiologists and why it might be the perfect choice for you or your clinic.
“By taking on short-term contracts in different parts of Australia, you can experience new lifestyles and unique cultures, while also advancing your professional skills and reputation”
Johanna Mee, Exercise Physiologist
Locum work can be a powerful solution for addressing the shortage of allied health professionals in rural and remote areas of Australia, and exercise physiology is no exception. With many clinics in these regions struggling to attract and retain staff, locum work offers a flexible and cost-effective way to bring in experienced healthcare workers who can help meet the needs of patients. It’s important to note that many clinics often won’t advertise for locum positions to cover leave or bridge gaps in staff recruitment, but these opportunities are still out there. By reaching out to clinics as a practitioner, you can gain a unique chance to work in diverse locations and make a meaningful impact in communities that may otherwise have limited access to healthcare.
It’s common to see clinics in regional and remote areas across Australia that don’t offer EP services to their clients. This is despite the well-documented benefits exercise-based interventions can provide and can be a significant barrier to providing optimal care for patients. Fortunately for businesses, hiring locums on a temporary basis can provide an avenue for clinics to explore the services EP’s can offer. Clinics are provided an opportunity to introduce treatments that can improve the health and wellbeing of their clients, while also gaining valuable insights into how exercise physiology can be integrated into their existing healthcare programs.
If you’re an EP seeking a change of pace or a new adventure, locum work can be a great option. By taking on short-term contracts in different parts of Australia, you can experience new lifestyles and unique cultures, while also advancing your professional skills and reputation. This can be especially attractive if you’re early in your career and looking to gain experience in a variety of settings before settling into a permanent position. Locum work can provide exercise physiologists with a chance to work in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, private practice and community health clinics, which can expand your knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system as a whole. Since locum work involves working in different clinics and with diverse patient populations, you gain exposure to a range of health conditions and are challenged to develop specific treatment plans that meet the needs of each patient. Additionally, by working as a locum, you can take control of your own schedule and work on your own terms, allowing you to create a work-life balance that suits your personal goals and priorities.
Whether you’re an exercise physiologist looking for a sea change or you want to experience life in a remote outback community, locum work can provide you with the flexibility and freedom to explore different parts of Australia while still making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients in need. Overall, we believe locum work can be a win-win for both clinics and practitioners, providing a valuable service to regional and remote communities and offering exercise physiologists opportunities for professional growth and adventure.
