Frequently asked questions
1.Do locums GPs need to pay to register and use Locum Monkey?
Locum Monkey is completely free to use for locum GPs. There are no charges for registration or receiving sms. You will only incur charges for calling the practice and replying to the sms. These will be charged at your network's standard rate. There will be no additional charges to pay.
2. How many documents can I upload onto the website?
You can upload up to a maximum of six documents. Recommended documents are your CV, 2 references, GMC certificate, defence union certificate and CCT in general practice.
3. How do I forward these documents to the practice?
Click on the ‘view' option next to your chosen document. You can then save it to the desktop. You can then send it to the practice as an email attachment.
4. If I am on holiday, can I temporarily deactivate my account?
You can do this my choosing the ‘deactivate account' option when you log in. You will not receive job notifications while your account in not active. You can activate the account at any time.
5. Can I choose the areas I want to work in?
Yes. You can pick the Health Boards / PCT you are interested and registered to work in. You will then appear in all the searches for practices in that PCT. You may choose multiple PCTs if you wish.
6. I have received information about a vacancy, how do I contact the GP practice?
The sms will contain information the phone number for the practice. If you are interested in the vacancy, simply give them a call.
7. I sometimes receive ‘position filled' messages but not all the time? Why is that?
Some practices may want to send a sms advising locums that the advertised vacancy has now been filled.
8. What will the sms sent by Locum Monkey look like?
The sms will contain the practice name, postcode and vacancy details and may look something like this:
• Call Katy 02071234567 Green Health Centre GH1 5RT 3/2/9 morning, 6/2/9 pm, 7/2/9 all day
13. How secure are my details and documents saved on the Locum Monkey site?
We use a dedicated server which means no other users have access to it except Locum Monkey. You account is protected by your chosen password. Your personal information stays anonymous to GP practice users until you contact and reveal it to them. Also they cannot access your saved documents until you forward it to them.
1. Can I start using the service immediately after registration?
We will activate your account within 1 working day after you have registered.
2. How much does it cost to use Locum Monkey?
We are completely free to use for GP surgeries and GP locums. We rely on advertising and sponsorship to fund the service. Hence you may receive information and offers from our carefully selected partners who help us to keep this service free for you.
3. How do I refine my search results?
You can choose locums available for daytime or out of hours work, limit numbers by geographical locations or simply restrict the search to a specific number of locums. We recommend that you send SMS to a large number of locums to increase the response rate.
4. What does ‘exclude results from previous transactions' option do?
Let's say you send a message to 100 locums but got no responses. You can then expand your search by sending a text to another 100 locums but remove the previous recipients hence removing non responders.
5. What is a ‘position filled' message?
Once you have found your locum, sending a position filled text will inform all the doctors you contacted that the vacancy has been filled. Hence, you can avoid getting unnecessary calls.
6. I have a list of locums that my practice uses regularly. What advantage can Locum Monkey provide me over using my own list of doctors?
Locum Monkey allows you to contact a large number of locums simultaneously thus increasing your chance of successfully finding a doctor. You may want to contact doctors on your own list by phone but this can be very time consuming, costly and their chances of availability can be quite low.
7. How secure are my details saved on the Locum Monkey site?
We use a dedicated server which means no other users have access to it except Locum Monkey. You account is protected by your chosen password. We use 128-bit SSL encryption plus up to the minute security measures.
Communication Tool for Organisations
1. Can I start using the service immediately after registration?
You will need to send us a proof of address document like a utility bill. We will activated your account within 1-2 working days of receiving this.
2. Can I access the Locum Monkey database of locum GPs?
No. You can only access the database of your own staff that you have created.
3. Who will have access to my staff databases that I create on the Locum Monkey site?
Only you and other users authorised by you will have access to these databases. No third party can view or use these databases.
4. How do I send a text message?
Just click the ‘send a message' button after logging in. Select your recipients from your database, type your message including your contact details and send.
5. How will my staff know that the sms is from our department?
Please enter your name and contact details when sending a message so that your staff can identify and reply to you.
6. How will I be billed?
Customers will receive a bill by email on the 28th of every month.
7. How do I pay my monthly invoice?
You can pay by cheque, internet banking or BACS transfer. Please send payment within 14 days of the invoice date. Make cheques payable to ‘Locum Monkey'. If paying by bank transfer, please quote your invoice number. Our bank details are:
Account Name: Locum Monkey
Sortcode: 40-22-47
Account: 31456024
8. Are there any penalties for late bill payments?
Provided your payments are late occasionally and only by a couple of days, we will not charge you any penalties. If however, you make late payments persistently we reserve the right to add a surcharge as explained in our terms and conditions.
9. Can Locum Monkey save my department time and money?
Yes. Locum Monkey allows you to contact several or all of your staff members simultaneously by sms. This is faster than phoning each individual. It can also save you money. For example if you want to contact 20 members through Locum Monkey, it will only cost you 20 x £0.10 = £2.00. This is considerably cheaper than calling 20 different mobile numbers.
10. How secure are my details saved on the Locum Monkey site?
We use a dedicated server which means no other users have access to it except Locum Monkey. You account is protected by your chosen password. We use 128-bit SSL encryption plus up to the minute security measures by HSBC like Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode when handling your card payments.
