Locum work in Kenya: a practical guide for nurses and clinical officers

Locum work is one of the most common ways Kenyan nurses and clinical officers add to their income, cover gaps between permanent posts, or try a new facility before committing to it. Done well, it is flexible, reasonably paid and good for your CV. Done carelessly, it can put your licence and your safety at risk. This guide covers both sides.

What is a locum shift?

A locum shift is a single shift, or a short run of shifts, worked to cover a gap in a facility's roster. A ward may be short because a colleague is on leave, a clinic may be busier than usual, or a private hospital may need cover for nights and weekends. You are paid for the shift rather than employed on a monthly salary, and you are expected to work to the same professional standard as permanent staff.

Who can do locum work?

Any licensed clinician can, as long as the work is within their scope of practice. That means a nurse needs a current practising licence from the Nursing Council of Kenya, a clinical officer needs a current licence from the Clinical Officers Council, and doctors, pharmacists and laboratory staff need their own regulator's licence. A facility that cares about patient safety will ask to see it. If one does not ask, treat that as a warning sign.

If you are employed full time, read your contract before taking locum shifts. Some employers, including some county governments, restrict outside work or require you to declare it.

What should you agree before accepting a shift?

• The exact times. Start, finish and whether handover time is included.
• The rate for the whole shift, and whether it is before or after any deductions.
• When and how you will be paid. Same day, end of week or end of month, and by M-Pesa or bank.
• The ward or department, and the kind of patients you will look after.
• Who you report to on the shift, and who to call if something goes wrong.
• What happens if the shift is cancelled at short notice.

Get the key points in writing, even if it is only a message. Most locum disputes in Kenya are about late or missing payment, and a written agreement settles them quickly.

How do you protect your licence on a locum shift?

You are personally accountable for your practice on every shift, wherever you work. Keep your licence current and your CPD up to date, because an expired licence makes every shift you work unlicensed practice. Do not accept a shift outside your competence: a medical ward nurse covering an ICU alone is a risk to patients and to you. Document your care properly, hand over clearly, and keep a simple record of where and when you worked.

Many clinicians who do regular locum work also take out professional indemnity cover, which helps if a patient makes a claim against you. Ask your professional association or an insurer about the options.

How do you find locum shifts?

Most locum work in Kenya is still arranged through colleagues and WhatsApp groups. That works, but it is unpredictable and you often hear about shifts after they are taken. On Monica you mark the days and nights you are free, and facilities near you can offer you shifts that match your licence. You see the facility, the times and the full rate before you accept, and the first clinician to accept is booked. After the shift, you and the facility rate each other, so good facilities and reliable clinicians stand out.

To get started, see how Monica locum works, or create a free account and set your availability.

Is locum work good for your career?

It can be. Locum shifts let you work in different settings, from level 5 hospitals to private clinics, and build experience that permanent posts take years to give you. List your regular locum work on your CV like any other role, with the facilities, the departments and what you did. Our guide to writing a nursing CV shows how.