FAQs for Doctors

FAQs — Doctors

• How often do I get paid and what is the payment process?

  Doctors are paid monthly (calendar month). So the pay period is the first day of the month until the last day of the month. At the conclusion of each month you simply forward your invoice detailing all shifts you worked for the month and Medical Directions will pay your invoice within two weeks of the end of the month.

• Will I have to pay for and book my own travel?

  We will fly you to the closest location and if necessary arrange a rental car for you too. We will always ensure that you are happy with the travel prior to confirming the shifts for you.

• How flexible are the rosters should I have other commitments?

  We have flexibility with our rosters and we work with doctors to achieve their work-life balance needs.

• What type of accommodation is available and do I have a choice of where I can stay?

  Accommodation for locums varies from site to site. At some locations, offsite commercial accommodation is provided whilst some facilities provide on-site accommodation such as a self-contained unit or private room with an en-suite and kitchenette.

• Can I bring my partner or family?

  Medical Directions can support requests to accommodate partners or family if the accommodation is suitable.

• What locum rates can I expect to earn?

  Doctors engaged in ongoing work are paid at locum rates for their permanent work. Locum rates may vary but we offer competitive market rates for locum work.

• Are there any upfront fees for doctors?

  No, our service is free for doctors. We do not take a cut from your pay. We are paid by hospitals and clinics and hold exclusive service arrangements with over 10 hospitals including FastTrack clinics across four Local Health Districts.

• What paperwork will I need to apply for jobs?

  As with any new job, there is paperwork and formalities to undergo. To ensure that you are set up and ready for your new job, Medical Directions will assist with the completion of paperwork and our team is always available to provide support.

• What is the backup and support like and is there on call?

  In some of the rural locations you may be the sole doctor in charge. We will advise you on what local specialist support is on-call and available to you you should you need it. In the more metropolitian locations, there will be many RMO’s, Reg’s, Senior staff and FACEMS working during the day.

• Is ward cover part of the role?

  Some sites yes and some sites no. At Quirindi, Manilla and Young ward cover is part of the role. Whereas there is no ward cover at Cowra, Mudgee or Inverell. There is some ward cover at Tomaree for one role.

• Who do I report to?

  Whom you report to will be included in the hospital confirmation document. A welcome pack will also be available at the hospital when you arrive.

• Where do the critically ill or very sick patients get transferred?

  It depends on the location. If you're an Emergency Medicine Doctor in the New England Tablelands (Inverell) then patients will generally be transferred to Armidale or Tamworth. If you are working at the facilities in Manilla or Quirindi, patients will be taken to Tamworth. If in Murrumbidgee (Young), Wagga will take the critically ill.

• Do Medical Directions have the same roles as other agencies?

  Because we hold exclusive service arrangments with over 10 hospitals, including GP FastTrack clinics, across four NSW Local Health Districts, we have access to roster lines and roles whether they be of a FIFO nature, contract, full-time & part-time, and permanent jobs before other agencies.

• What’s the difference between a medical workforce solutions business and a generic jobs site like Seek?

  An organisation like Medical Directions will provide you with your own personal consultant. 

  We will provide confidential advice regarding your next career move, market insights and access to our network of practices and hospitals. We negotiate on your behalf and regard you as a partner for life. The best part is that our service is free of charge. A jobs site like Seek will simply list jobs for you to apply for without much context and offer no personalised service.

• Medical Recruitment agencies are a dime a dozen — what makes Medical Directions different?

  Medical Directions is not just a recruitment agency - we are medical workforce solutions specialists. We differ in many ways, including but not limited to the following: 

  • We are doctor-owned and managed
  • We are part of the iconic Ochre Health Group which own a growing medical practice network across Australia
  • We specialise in general practice, rural generalism, and emergency medicine
  • We respect the clinical expertise of our doctors
  • We provide innovative and lifestyle-approved employment solutions for our doctors.

• Are Medical Directions and Ochre Recruitment the same company?

  Medical Directions is a division of the Ochre Group, a leader in the provision of primary care. Ochre Recruitment is the sister company of the Ochre Group. Ochre Recruitment specialise in placing locum and long-term doctors and has long been a trusted partner of private and public health facilities across Australia and New Zealand.

• How do I apply for a role on the Medical Directions website?

  Simply complete this quick and easy registration form and we'll do the rest.

• Why register with Medical Directions?

  Registering with us means that you are joining our community of doctors and receive first-class service. You’ll have access to your own customised desktop page, giving you access to locum and permanent jobs matched to your chosen preferences, as well as access to your personal consultant. You’ll decide how regularly you want to receive emails and SMS and you’ll have the ability to update your details at any time.

• Does Medical Directions have a privacy policy?

  Yes. We take both your privacy and data protection very seriously. Please visit meddirections.com.au/privacy