I choose to work with 13SICK National Home Doctor Service because it fits so well with my life. Working afterhours means I can work flexible shifts around where I live. I am also attracted to the opportuntiy to “own my own business” where I can have a second income source while caring for vulnerable patients in their homes as well as residents in aged care facilities.
The thing I enjoy most about working as a home doctor is the patient interaction. So much so that one of my patients, a young baby actually cried when I left which I chose to take as a high rating for my consultation skills!
Patients who call 13SICK are vulnerable and in need of urgent care, and having the opportunity to perform a consult in a home setting allows me to build on my urgent care skills and supports my interest in considering a pathway to General Practice as a doctor working in hospital. This is quite different to a hospital setting where I currently also work in emergency in Adelaide. In a home setting, I get a deeper insight into a patient’s enviornment and have access to a mentor on call if I need a second opinion. I love the autonomy to help me build my confidence while knowing help is at the other end of the line if I need it.
The patients who invite us in are placing their trust in us to assess them clinically by taking their history, diagnosing their issue and administering medication, all of which would usually have to be done in a hospital setting. Our presence means patients needing urgent but not emergent care can stay at home and ease the burden on already crowded emergency departments.
Would I recommend National Home Doctor Service to other doctors? Yes, and I have! It’s widely known that the National Home Doctor Service are the biggest and best in the Medical Deputising Services industry. We are chosen by GPs to care for their patients when they are closed and GPs trust us to look after their patients to ensure continuity of care.
As a doctor working with National Home Doctor Service, I am well supported by a great team and technology that ensures I am efficient and effective on the road. I love coming into the office to pick up equipment and see the team who support me on the road. I still remember one time I came into the office to see the doctor engagement manager and happened to see a blood glucose monitor sitting on his desk. I got a hunch I needed this in my doctor’s bag and I sure did that night! I saw a patient who was nauseous and vomiting and suspected she may have high blood glucose so completed the assessment with my new blood glucose monitor and diagnosed her with diabetes. She was referred to emergecny that night for urgent treatment. Just one small example of the difference we make on the road.
If you would like to know more about the benefits of working afterhours? Please contact our Specialist Recruitment Team
T: 1300 643 737
E: recruitment@homedoctor.com.au
Learn more about the doctors who choose to work with us:
www.homedoctor.com.au/doctor-jobs
