Locum Survival Tips! (Part 3)
In this 4 part series, I will discuss Locum survival tips which I have found useful.
5 Tools & tricks that are important to have as a locum.
I am going to suggest a list of handy items, which apart from your doctor's bag you might arm yourself with...
1 Carry with you a copy of your CV.
This can be stored in a USB or in a floppy disc. Sometimes I have been asked to give my CV to a partner when I have worked in a practice looking for a long term locum. If you have it at hand, not only does it mean that the principals can gloss through it and not forget you after doing that “ irregular session”, it means it increases the chances of you being shortlisted for an interview should they be looking for a partner.
Don't forget that they receive hundreds of CVs and the chances are increased of you being shortlisted if they can put a name and a face (and a voice) to a CV.
2 Keep your contacts organized in Style.
It looks professional to have a Rollodex or a diary to transfer details of contacts that have been scribbled on pieces of paper or dinner napkins. If you save them on your mobile phone, Iphone, pda, notebook or blackberry be sure to do this separating business contacts from personal contacts.
3 Business cards.
Not many doctors carry around business cards with them but they serve a very useful function. They are especially handy when networking or at educational seminars when you want someone to contact you.
The cards should be designed to contain at least your personal details such as your name plus up to date contact details and the organisation you work for.
Additionally, you can include more information such as mobile no, email, LinkedIn details and in fact the more the merrier. There's no rule stating that business cards only have to have a phone number!
Many times I have found that even if you do no get a phone call in the following month from that useful contact, there is a greater chance of future contact if that precious business card is held on file by the contact. Many opportunities can be lost if you come across as being scatty and disorganized especially if you hand in your contact details on a dogeared piece of paper with your name.
4 An electronic file or workbook.
Stored in a USB or floppy disc or smartphone or ipod, they can be always updated opportunistically whenever you attend a lecture, have a clinical governance meeting or do an audit. Believe me, it will save you from the mad rush 2 weeks prior to the time of your appraisal when compiling all the events and evidence of learning!
5 A means to de-stress.
There are many situations that may arise that can be stressful whilst working in general practice. It is important to make sure that the tension or angst in these circumstances is not transferred to other members of staff and/or the next lot of patients that you see.
If you have not attended any neuro-linguistic programming courses which show you how to switch from this negative state to a happy state, sometimes physical tools can be used :
5.1 Stress ball. These malleable toys can be a useful tool in relieving stress and come in all shapes and sizes. When confronted with challenging situations in our working lifes, especially when we are called to refrain from expressing our innermost feelings towards the perpetrator, these balls offer a means to release inner tension. They come in novelty shapes too...!
5.2 Ipod. Apart from the fact that Ipods and iphones have several medical applications ranging from useful resources such as Eponyms, surgical atlases, Netnewswire, one can listen to the tunes which can help relieve the tension.
5.3 Share Your Feelings!
You already know it's not good to bottle things up. So do something about it. If you can't talk to your friends, family or peers about it then go online. You can use the forum I setup if you like, that's what it's there for!
Hope this helps, more to follow.
By Dr Lorna Knight, a GP and a christian. www.GladClinic.com
