The Complete Guide to Negotiating Locum Rates

May 22, 2017

1. Start high
2. Look for an agreeable outcome
3. Be aware of supply in the area
4. Rates are not permanent
5. Negotiate other aspects of your rates

Locum Jobs

An advantage of taking up locum jobs to boost your income is that you have some flexibility to work. You choose the schedule that you are available to fit into. Also, it can improve your CV for future job applications at other institutions by showing that you have a diverse set of employers.

For new nurses, doing locum allows you extra time and exposure to choose how you want to plan out your nursing career. Like selecting a specialization. You can read more on the advantages of doing locum to increase your income here.

People seem to be paralyzed into inaction when it comes to setting rates, simply accepting whatever the clinic offers to pay you. While this article focuses on nurses doing locum jobs at private practices, we hope that these points will still be able to help doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners as well.

1. Start high

Start by negotiating high

source: @dan_carl5on

Start out by always proposing a rate higher than you would. It doesn’t have to be a lot.

Say your desired rate is RM20 an hour. Just mention RM25 as your starting rate. You can slowly reduce it to the price that you sought out initially when discussing with the clinic or institution.

You don’t want to be working with people who feel like they have to squeeze the most out of their budget to accommodate you. Such scenarios do not lead to healthy long-term relationships. It’s better to make them feel like they’ve got a good deal.

2. Look for an agreeable outcome

Agreeable outcome

source: pixabay

Remember, the owner of the clinic wants to fill some gaps in his workforce, and you want to get paid. Think of it as a bridge. Both of you are on either side. The best outcome is if you both meet in the middle.

Don’t rip people off. Good negotiation is about both parties walking away feeling like they both got a good deal. If you think that milking out money from people to the point where they are reluctantly agreeing to your prices, think again. That relationship isn’t going to last very long.

The best employer (whether they employ you full-time or otherwise) is one that continuously offers you work. They can’t do that if they don’t like you.

3. Be aware of supply in the area

Oversupply

source: pixabay

A lot of nurses doing locum jobs in the area? That might affect your locum fees. Try to look for clinics or institutions that have an under-supply of part-time nurses. The main reason why your locum employer is paying you below average is probably because a replacement for you is so easy to find.

Price is a reflection of the demand for the locum jobs and the supply of those capable of doing it in the area. This is commonly known as the law of supply and demand in economics. It applies here as well.

4. Rates are not permanent

Not set in stone

source: here

Rates are not set in stone. Even if you’ve negotiated quite a while ago, you can still make some changes if you approach the employer tactfully.

Explain that you’ve been here for a while, and that you haven’t let him/her down. So you’d like an increase in your rates.

The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world. At least you tried.

5. Negotiate other aspects of your rates

emergency

source: pixabay

While there is a fixed rate for your schedule, try to consider other aspects as well. Things like emergency calls, or last-minute requests to come in for locum.

Make it clear to the employer that these are out-of-the-norm occurrences, and that you would like to be compensated accordingly.

6. Losing locum jobs is not necessarily a bad thing

why

source: blupics

When increasing your rates, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Doubling your rates but losing half of locum opportunities is great. You get the same amount at the end, but work half as much, which frees up your time.

Plus, sometimes someone who charges RM40 per hour looks more professional and qualified than someone who charges RM20 per hour.

Conclusion

Don’t just look at financial rates; benefits are important as well. Is the job good for your reputation? Are they likely to recommend you to others?

Is the work consistent and secure? Do you trust the employer?

Remember these 6 steps when negotiating your fees. If you don’t value your time, no one else will.

Browse through MIMS Career for an easy way to find locum or part-time jobs in your area. MIMS Career is a premier, healthcare-focused job portal site for Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Our simple sign-up process allows you to easily apply for jobs you might be interested in with a single click. Job locations include hospitals, nursing homes, and private practices. It’s free, easy to use, and safe.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Set up a job alert and we’ll notify you by email whenever positions that suit your preferences are available. All of our pages are mobile-responsive, so you can take your applications with you on the go.

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