Introduction
Locum pharmacists play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, providing essential services to communities across the country. However, one issue that has emerged is the practice of locum pharmacists getting booked directly without notifying the recruitment agency that placed them. While it may seem like a minor detail, this can have significant consequences for both the locum pharmacist and the pharmacy involved. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of notifying Pharmacy SOS, a leading recruitment agency for locum pharmacists, of any direct bookings you receive, and the benefits this can bring.
The Problem
The issue of locum pharmacists getting booked directly without notifying Pharmacy SOS is a significant problem that can have negative consequences for both the locum pharmacist and the pharmacy involved.
For locum pharmacists, direct bookings can result in missed pay, incorrect superannuation, and potentially no WorkCover insurance. As a locum pharmacist, you are entitled to certain benefits, and if Pharmacy SOS is not aware of your direct bookings, they may not be able to ensure that you receive these benefits correctly.
For pharmacies, the problem is even bigger, as direct bookings are likely to be classified as Sham Contracting. According to the advice we have received from the ATO, a locum pharmacist is considered an employee of the pharmacy in the majority, if not all cases. This means that pharmacies will need to withhold PAYG, pay superannuation, and account for their WorkCover premium, as well as state revenue taxes. This is no easy task and could lead to serious legal and financial complications for the pharmacy involved.
The Solution
The solution to the issue of locum pharmacists getting booked directly without notifying Pharmacy SOS is simple – just notify us!
Benefits for the locum: By notifying us, we can ensure that you get paid on the next Pharmacy SOS payroll and that your superannuation is correctly paid, which, by the way, we pay on a monthly basis. Who else does that?
Notifying Pharmacy SOS is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to negotiate your pay and ensure that you are compensated fairly for your work. Secondly, it enables us to keep accurate records of your employment history and qualifications, which can be useful in securing future placements. Finally, notifying us of your direct bookings can help to minimize paperwork at tax time, making it easier for you to file your taxes and claim the benefits you are entitled to.
Benefits for the pharmacy: It’s not just locum pharmacists who benefit from notifying Pharmacy SOS. By working with us, pharmacies can ensure that they are not at risk of sham contracting and are complying with their legal obligations. We can look after the PAYG, superannuation, WorkCover insurance, and state revenue taxes, helping pharmacies to minimize their administrative burden and focus on delivering high-quality patient care.
We wrote about this recently, so if you have not yet read it, please click here.
Conclusion
Notifying Pharmacy SOS of direct bookings is crucial for locum pharmacists to receive proper pay, superannuation, and insurance benefits. It also benefits pharmacies by ensuring compliance with legal obligations and minimizing administrative burden. By making this a priority, both locum pharmacists and pharmacies can benefit from a smoother, more efficient process that allows them to focus on patient care.
(Last Updated on June 9, 2023)