RWAV Specialist GP Locum Program is a free service for rural general practices and Aboriginal Medical Services providing a personalised approach to matching locum GPs with practices in rural and regional Victoria. RWAV is dedicated to supporting the retention of doctors in rural practice by providing high quality locum relief for holiday, sickness, study leave and to assist with short-term workforce shortages.
RWAV has been partnering with Victorian rural practices for over 20 years. We understand the challenges and complexities of rural general practice and we take care of everything—from advertising your vacancy and screening candidates, to negotiating the locum’s fees and terms, and all the paperwork required to get a GP locum ready to work—so you can get on with the business of running your practice and doing what you do best.
We have a great deal of experience of recruiting rural doctors and have a large network of established locums.
What are the next steps?
If your practice would like to work with RWAV, please get in contact and tell us more about your GP locum vacancy. This will give us all the information we need to advertise the role, and support you in sourcing the best locum for your practice.
Give us a call and speak to our dedicated Recruitment Team on 03 9349 7800 (please press Option 1) or email recruitment@rwav.com.au.
We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you.
FAQ:
wHAT PRACTICES ARE ELIGIBLE TO USE THE RWAV LOCUM SERVICE
The RWAV Specialist GP Locum Program service works with solo and group practices and community health organisations within rural and regional Victoria MMM2-6.
We also support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO’s) within metro, rural and regional Victoria MMM 1-6.
Check your MMM classification here.
If your practice is seeking short-term cover relief for holiday, sickness, education leave and to assist workforce shortages RWAV can help.
WHAT sort of locums WORK with RWAV?
RWAV locum GPs are RACGP and ACRRM fellowed GPs (or equivalent), and have solid experience in providing short-term placements. RWAV understands the specialised skills and requirements for locums who work in rural and regional Victoria, and will ensure that your practice is matched with a suitably qualified fellowed GP.
Will the locum supervise registrars and students? Many locums have done this previously so we need to know in advance and check the situation.
How does it work? what documents to you PROVIDE?
RWAV takes out all the stress and hassle by providing comprehensive recruitment support, which Advertising your vacancy on our website and via social media at no cost to you
- Sourcing suitable locum GPs from our database
- Extensive screening and shortlisting of locums according to your vacancy profile
- Assisting with the administration of all locum documents
- Obtaining Medicare provider numbers
- Liaising and negotiating with both locum and practice regarding fees and placement terms.
- Providing Placement Confirmation to both parties outlining details of locum period, terms discussed, and basic practice information
- Providing handover orientation guidelines to practice for locum arrival
- Locum check-in and support during the placement.includes;
Screening and compliance documents:
To be compliant for locum work through RWAV, we require certain documents to be maintained on our records. During confirmation of the GP’s locum placement the following documents will be provide
- Locum CV/Resume
- Indemnity insurance certificate
- FRACGP/ACCRM Certificate
- Photo ID –for 100-point identity check
- CPD statement
- Valid Victorian Working with Children and Police Check/Fit to work Check
- 1 Referee details (please note this is not a clinical reference)
GP locum provider numbers:
Locum GPs are required to obtain a provider number for every location. In order for the locum to apply online via PRODA can you are required to complete your practice details Questions 22 to 31 on this Medicare form (click link ) and return to RWAV. Once the locum has obtained their number we will send the details along with their prescriber number with the placement confirmation.
Hospital credentialing:
If you require our GP locum to be credentialed for any on-call, VMO and/or aged care work, you should ensure that the GP is credentialed with the relevant health service(s). Your practice and local hospital are responsible for completing the credentialing process before the GP starts their placement.
WHAT DOES IT COST AND WHAT ARE THE LOCUM GP’S FEES AND RATES OF PAY?
RWAV Specialist GP Locum Program is a free service for rural practices.
Locum GP’s determine their own rates, however rural session fees in Victoria currently start from $600 per session (3.5-4 hrs) excluding GST, or 70% + Billings whichever is greater. On-call and VMO fees are usually set by your health service and are paid in addition to the sessions. Locums usually use their own car and charge current ATO charge rates, however some may require use of car and flights/public transport costs reimbursed.
Locums usually invoice the practice at the end of the placement.
If the placement is not commutable then self-contained, clean accommodation with cooking facilities must be provided and paid for by the practice. Locums often bring immediate family however practice is not obliged to cover extended family requirements. RWAV will advise you at time of placement what type of accommodation is required.
- Is Motel ok? Only if it has extended facilities for cooking.
- Doctors House? Yes as long as the locum is in agreeance and check any domestic responsibilities/animal care
- Shared? No usually locums will not share it is not the same as having a registrar or student.
*If your placement is filled by RWAV Contracted locum we will invoice practice and pay locum directly. Fees are subsidised and confirmed at time of placement.
WHAT are the practice responsibilities?
The practice is responsible for assessing the suitability of the locum, obtaining clinical references and confirming all the agreed payment terms, workload requirements.
Arranging accommodation for the locum if it is required and arranging use of a motor vehicle for the locum if required.
Prior to the commencement of the placement, you should contact the locum check their arrival and re-confirm all the arrangements including fees, invoices and payment terms.
Practices are required to provide induction/orientation for the locum on their first day before they commence seeing patients. RWAV provides an Induction checklist (can we have link to document) . A handover for the conclusion of the placement should also be planned at this time for follow up results etc.
It is really useful and appreciated if you also provide a town orientation to the locum, where they can get coffee, best places to eat, sights worth visiting and any “whats on” community activities.
WHAT SUPPORT WILL RWAV PROVIDE FOR MY PRACTICE?
Once your placement is confirmed RWAV will provide you with a detailed Placement Confirmation brief outlining details of the locum, agreed dates, hours, terms discussed, and basic practice information.
We also provide Induction Checklist to help you prepare for the locums arrival (click link)
RWAV provides check-ins during the placement. It is important to RWAV that our practices and GP locums feel supported, and the placement process is as straightforward as possible.
We conduct post-placement evaluations with both locum and practice after every placement . The feedback provides us with valuable information regarding locum fit/suitability and also enables RWAV to continually improve our services.
RWAV will also provide a locum grant reimbursement towards accommodation and travel costs associated with the locum placement. We will inform you of eligibility once your vacancy is confirmed.
CAN A practice REQUEST A LOCUM GP to RETURN?
Yes, many of our doctors do repeat locums at various practices. They often request to return or are requested by the practice.
RWAV supports a number of practices that use a permanent model of rotating locum doctors as this can provide valuable continuity of care to solo practices.
If you wish to extend a locum or request a locum back at your practice please contact RWAV first.
Your practice may be eligible for financial assistance through a locum Grant
I need locum cover – what should i do?
If your practice would like to work with RWAV, please Complete a request via website and we will respond within 24 hours.
The more notice we get the higher chance of finding a suitable locum.
Or give us a call and speak to our friendly dedicated Recruitment Team on 03 9349 7800 (please press Option 1) or email recruitment@rwav.com.au.
