5 Useful Tips For Locum Doctors To Prepare For Revalidation

Posted by David Bradley on May 20th, 2016

Locum doctors are not attached to a particular oganisation in a full-time position. They work in multiple settings which creates a level of uncertainty among them when preparing for revalidation and their mandatory annual process of appraisal.

It is largely known that locum doctors are bound to face numerous challenges in their revalidation process because of the nomadic nature of their work. Though they can get the help from the specialist revalidation services which can make the task easy but they should also take some steps to make it through the revalidation and appraisal process.

The revalidation is based on the outcomes of annual appraisals which are fundamental for demonstrating your fitness to practise. Therefore, it is of significant importance to keep the ducks in a row  in order to make the most from this compulsory process of performance evaluation which occurs once during the five years cycle.

The NHS consider the locum doctors services invaluable and to remain in practise they need to develop comprehensive understanding of the revalidation process so that they are able revalidate their license to practise when the time comes. Locum doctors are required to make connections with the single organisation which provides support with their process of revalidation. Additionally they can get help from the private revalidation services providers to help them with the process.

In order to prepare for revalidation follow these useful tips;

•    Medicine is a very demanding profession in which time is a precious commodity. However, you need to take some time out for carefully considering your career objective and aims. Take some time off from your duties and focus on yourself and your professional goals. Set the SMART goals and also identify the areas which needs development.

•    You need to do research about what the locum revalidation services agencies offer for helping out with revalidation. Some agencies offer a complete package including an access to the portal of revalidation, facilities of colleague and patient feedback, e-learning facilities and have a support team which answer you queries. The revalidation services agency make the management of your locum career easier alongside revalidation.

•    Make use of the various reflection and e-learning tools such as Kolb's learning cycle, Online Self-assessment resources available from the GMC which helps in making most from your revalidation.

•    Regularly attend the workshops that count towards your CPD. These appraisal and revalidation workshops focus on providing accreditation towards your CPD. So by attending these workshops you will be able to get the number of points which counts towards your professional portfolio.

•    Approach the whole process with a systematic, positive and determined attitude. Appreciate that the process is there for a reason having clear benefits for your development as well as for the welfare of patients. It improves your credibility, increase public's confidence, ensures patient safety and improve quality of healthcare with reduced costs of litigation and supporting a positive changes in the medical profession.

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David Bradley

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David Bradley
Joined: December 23rd, 2015
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