Pharmacy workforce platform, Locumate.ai (Locumate) has signed a major agreement with Sigma Healthcare, adding more than 400 pharmacists to its growing presence in Australia.
The announcement coincides with Locumate’s expansion into the United States through a joint venture with the Indian Pharmacy Association in California.
Access to an on-demand workforce platform
Sigma Healthcare aims to provide its members with access to Locumate’s on-demand workforce platform.
Renee Watson, Sigma’s Head of Retail Operations, says the platform’s functionality aligns well with the needs of their member pharmacies.
“What impressed us about Locumate’s software was that it was an aggregator of the workforce within pharmacy, providing our members the agility they need to manage their on-demand workforce requirements,” she said.
A ‘streamlined process of managing locum placements’
Locumate’s growing client base in Australia includes Douglas Chemist Group, Prime Pharmacy and Allied Health Locums.
Mandy Ritchie, HR Manager at Douglas Chemist Group, praised Locumate’s subscription service for its ability to deliver significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.
“Locumate has truly streamlined the process of managing locum placements. From finding the right candidates to ensuring seamless communication and scheduling, the platform takes the hassle out of what can be a stressful process,” she said.
“What stands out most is the unreal quality of locums on the platform. Every professional we’ve engaged through Locumate has been highly skilled, reliable, and the perfect fit for our pharmacy teams.”
International ventures
In the US, Locumate is making strides through HealthShifts, a joint venture between the American Pharmacists Association and the California Pharmacists Association.
The partnership, which includes the Indian Pharmacy Association’s network of 150 pharmacy owners in California, will go live this month.
HealthShifts will provide exposure to 88,000 pharmacies, tapping into the growing global on-demand workforce market, projected to reach USD $93 billion by 2029.
Catering to niche professional services
Surge Singh, CEO and Founder of Locumate, highlights the platform’s ability to cater to niche professional service sectors such as pharmacy and allied health.
“Our platform doesn’t aim to compete with the popular job seeker sites. We cater for niche professional service organisations such as pharmacies and allied health services, all of which have jobs boards that need to be interactive, quick and simple to use.
“Professionals are strapped for time and are looking for the right talent with the right data insights,” he said.
A smarter, more efficient way to source talent
The company has recently expanded its offerings beyond pharmacy to allied health, including a new app for podiatry and physiotherapy locum placements.
Locumate has also launched an AI-enabled interactive jobs board this month, designed to create a smarter, more efficient way for organisations to source talent.
“At Locumate the team goes above and beyond to provide assistance whenever needed, ensuring the service meets the customers’ unique needs,” Mr Singh said.
