At Your World, we are dedicated to supporting our locum pharmacists through their professional journeys, offering flexibility and growth opportunities tailored to individual needs. At the end of 2024, two of our locums, Zubaira and Vinit, shared their stories.

They both started their locum careers with Your World Healthcare in January 2024. Their experiences show the great support and growth opportunities at Your World. Here's what they had to say:

As a locum Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician, can you expand on your experience with Your World?

Z: I had just quit my permanent Band 6 rotational pharmacy job as because my workload became overwhelming. I had to do late shifts every other week, weekend shifts once a month, and on call shifts every 6 weeks. It became difficult to take time off and I also didn’t feel as though I was developing.

I first thought I would be a locum for a short time. However, I have enjoyed the freedom of not having a permanent job. 

V: I found Your World attractive because of its great reputation in healthcare recruitment. I like its focus on personal support for candidates and the variety of roles available. For instance, Jack also has a range of remote pharmacy jobs for those interested.

I appreciate how Your World focus on more than just matching candidates with jobs. They also valued career growth and well-being.

Throughout 2024, my experience with Your World has been highly positive. The agency has consistently provided me with tailored opportunities that align with my skills and goals. Their responsive and professional approach has helped me to settle in my current role. The support I’ve received has reaffirmed my decision to work with Your World as I feel like a valued professional.

What role did Your World play in helping you transition into new locum work this year?

Z: Jack handled all the necessary paperwork and I had a dedicated compliance officer. This was helpful for me.

I could then focus on new jobs in pharmacy Jack presented to me. Jack checked in on me often during the first few weeks of my new job. He wanted to make sure there were no problems. I felt profoundly supported.

V: Your World played a pivotal role in my transition into new locum roles and departments this year. Jack took the time to learn about my skills, experience, and career goals. He made sure to match me with jobs that were both satisfying and suited to my expertise.

His wide network and knowledge of the healthcare industry made the process easy. He helped find good opportunities and offered guidance on onboarding and compliance needs. His steady communication and support helped me adjust quickly to new places. This let me focus on providing great patient care.

Can you share a specific moment or achievement from this year that stands out as a highlight of your journey?

Z: I am a main author for GSTT’s COVID treatment guideline for adults. This guideline was harmonised with RBHH for the first time.

Since it was a labor-intensive job, other colleagues had been avoiding it. However, I finished it in 4 months. Recently, the authorities granted approval for Trust use.

Without Your World, I wouldn’t have been in the position to write a guideline so early in my career! I had also received excellent feedback on it. The team approved the guideline relatively quickly because they did not find much to improve.

V: In 2024, my biggest achievement was moving to a hospital job. I had worked in community pharmacy before. This shift allowed me to deepen my understanding of inpatient care, prescription management, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.

I have developed skills in one-stop dispensing and TTA (To Take Away) prescriptions. These were new to me at the start of the year.

This role has greatly helped my professional growth. It has widened my view on patient care. It has also improved my ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-pressure situations.

It has also boosted my confidence in using clinical knowledge in many different situations. This sets a strong base for my career growth.

This year, I had a memorable achievement as a locum pharmacy technician. I helped out during a staffing shortage in the inpatient pharmacy. I managed the dispensing process for many prescriptions. This included urgent medications for patients in the ICU.

In one instance, I identified a discrepancy in a patient’s medication chart during a TTA preparation. By emphasising this issue and working with the pharmacist and doctor, we fixed the error. This helped us avoid a possible medication problem.

The experience highlighted the importance of vigilance and teamwork, and it was gratifying to know that my attention to detail made a tangible impact on patient safety. This moment reaffirmed my ability to adapt quickly to new environments and deliver high-quality care, even under pressure.

What advice would you give to other locum pharmacists?

Z: Your World can help you find pharmacist, pharmacy assistant jobs and pharmacy technician jobs in the NHS and beyond that are hard to get. This is true in special clinical areas.

Taking a chance is worth it. If you don’t like a certain job – it is not difficult to switch (unlike with permanent jobs). Pharmacists are always in demand so there is never a shortage of locum opportunities!

V: My advice to pharmacists or healthcare professionals considering a career change or a new locum role with Your World is simple. Embrace the flexibility these roles offer. Enjoy the variety they bring to your work.

Begin by clearly stating your goals. These could be gaining experience in a new place, improving work-life balance, or expanding your skills. Share your goals openly with Your World’s team. They are great at matching candidates with roles that fit their needs and dreams.

Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. Moving to a new job can be a challenging but exciting opportunity.

This is especially true when changing from a community pharmacy to a hospital. However, it can also be immensely rewarding. Your World offers support and resources to make these changes easier. Use their expertise to grow personally and professionally.

Summary

Zubaira and Vinit’s narratives reveal the transformative experiences and substantial professional growth facilitated by Your World. Their stories show our commitment. 

We do not just place pharmacists in jobs, we also support their career growth and personal development. For pharmacists looking at locum roles, Your World offers opportunities and a way to succeed in different healthcare settings. Join us to redefine your professional journey in a way that suits your life and career aspirations.