You probably already know that pharmacy is more than dispensing medicines; it’s about growth, versatility, and adapting to change. But how do you fast-track pharmacy career growth in a competitive field?

The answer lies in combining both locum and permanent experience. Each offers distinct advantages. When you learn to balance both strategically, you build resilience, broaden your expertise, and open doors to leadership. 

This article explores how to use locum and permanent roles together to supercharge your journey.

Locum vs Permanent: What Each Brings to the Table

Locum positions (short-term, flexible roles) let you:

• Gain rapid exposure to different pharmacy settings
• Test environments before committing
• Earn premium hourly rates, especially in rural/urgent roles
• Expand your network across a wide geographic reach

What Permanent Roles Provide

Permanent roles (full-time or part-time with ongoing employment) deliver:

• Job security, consistent income, and benefits
• Deeper integration with a single team
• Long-term training, mentorship, and leadership progression
• Ability to build long-term relationships with patients

Why the Combination Accelerates Pharmacy Career Growth

By blending locum and permanent work, you get the best of both worlds.

• Versatility & adaptability: Locum shifts force you to get up to speed quickly in new environments.
• Specialisation insights: Use locum roles to explore areas before transitioning into them permanently.
• Credibility & stability: Permanent roles bolster your CV with sustained experience.
• Broader network: You build contacts across multiple pharmacies and regions.

This synergy gives you momentum others may lack.

Strategic Steps to Maximise Your Growth

Here is how you can maximise your growth:

1. Start with a Strong Permanent Base

Choosing a stable permanent pharmacy role early gives you:

• A consistent foundation for income and learning
• Team support, mentorship, and professional development
• The ability to benchmark your skills

Use this role as your anchor while layering locum shifts around it.

2. Pick Locum Gigs That Complement Your Goals

Don’t just take any shift. Prioritise locum work that:

• Adds skill gaps (e.g. hospital work if you’re community-based)
• Offers management or leadership exposure
• Places you in underserved areas with high need

It becomes active learning, not just extra work.

3. Reflect and Document Learning

After each locum stint, write brief reflections:

• What new systems did you learn?
• What challenges pushed you outside comfort?
• Which skills will you bring to permanent roles?

This reflection fuels deliberate growth and builds your experience narrative.

4. Leverage Locum Experience for Leadership Bids

When it’s time to apply for leadership roles (e.g. pharmacist in charge), your diverse locum experience provides stories:

• You’ve adapted to varied systems
• You’ve handled emergencies and unfamiliar environments
• You bring a broad perspective to decision-making

It’s a differentiator.

Overcoming Challenges in Balancing Both

Here is how you can overcome challenges in balancing both:

Risk of Burnout

Juggling locum and permanent roles can push you too hard. Guard against burnout by:

• Limiting locum hours
• Ensuring recovery days
• Choosing locum work that energises, not drains

Conflicts in Schedule

You may face clashes between permanent shifts and locum requests. Use clear boundaries and communicate availability in advance.

Inconsistent Pay or Benefits

Permanent roles offer benefits (leave, superannuation) that locum work might not. Balance your income goals with stability.

How LocumCo Supports Growth for Both Paths

At LocumCo, we’re not just a job board, we’re a partner in your pharmacy career.

Matching Locum & Permanent Jobs

You can browse locum roles (urgent, regional, or clinical) and permanent roles through one platform.

Use tools, alerts, and filters to tailor your search.

Profile and CV Support

We help you craft a standout profile so employers see your blended experience as an asset, not a split focus.

Career Guidance

Need help structuring your path? We offer personalised advice on when to locum, when to settle, and how to pitch for more.

Exclusive Opportunities

Some pharmacies don’t advertise publicly. We bring you hidden roles combining both stability and variety.

Search permanent roles here via LocumCo’s permanent jobs 

Key Skills You’ll Develop Through This Path

By combining roles, you’ll build:

• Fast learning agility
• Cross-environment fluency
• Leadership & adaptability
• Clinical competence in multiple domains
• Strong professional network

These are the capabilities that drive pharmacy career growth.

Measuring Progress and Adjusting Strategy

Track these indicators:

• New skills or certifications gained
• Roles offered beyond your permanent job
• Mentorship or leadership invitations
• Broader geographic interest
• Salary or responsibility growth

If one track stagnates, shift your locum vs permanent balance.

Final Thoughts: Craft Your Own Hybrid Advantage

A powerful path to pharmacy career growth lies in blending the freedom of locum work with the stability and depth of permanent roles. 

When done thoughtfully, this hybrid model creates resilience, versatility, and leadership potential.

At LocumCo, we believe in helping you design that path. Our platform links you to both locum and permanent roles, offers expert support, and connects you with opportunities aligned with your growth goals. We’ve seen pharmacists maximise impact, income, and satisfaction by walking both paths.

Call us on 1800 357 001 to explore role options..

FAQs

Do locum roles hurt my permanent candidacy?

Not if framed properly. They show adaptability, initiative, and broad exposure, traits employers value.

Can I switch full-time into a specialty with this mix?

Yes. Use locum to test specialty settings (oncology, hospital, compounding), then negotiate transition in permanent roles.

How many locum shifts should I accept while in a permanent role?

It depends on your capacity. Often 1–2 shifts per month or weekends works well.

Will managing both roles confuse employers?

If you’re transparent, communicating your priorities and setting boundaries helps avoid confusion.

Does this approach suit all stages of career?

Yes. Early-career pharmacists can explore broadly; mid-career can stabilise with selective locum exposure; late-career can transition into mentorship or leadership roles.