Not Your Average Locums Doc: Dr. Jamila Goldsmith on Locums Done Right
Locums is about power—power over your time, your income, and your freedom.
What if, instead of scrambling for whatever contracts come your way, you could strategically design a locums career that funds your dream life?
That’s exactly what Dr. Jamila Goldsmith has done. And on this week’s episode of The Docs Get Money Podcast, she’s telling you how to do locums the right way.
Spoiler alert: It involves knowing your worth, negotiating with confidence, and setting your own terms.
Why Locums is the Ultimate Power Move
Dr. Jamila is a whole vibe. She’s got the fur coat, the cocktail, and, most importantly, the receipts to prove that locums doesn’t have to be a stressful, unstable hustle.
Instead, it can be a strategic path to financial security and career freedom.
Locums, when done right, allows doctors to:
✅ Work on their own schedule—no more hospital admin dictating your life.
✅ Make significantly more money per shift compared to employed positions.
✅ Avoid toxic workplace politics and burnout from hospital systems.
✅ Fund their long-term goals, whether that’s entrepreneurship, early retirement, or simply more joy.
But the key phrase here is “done right.”
Too many doctors jump into locums without a game plan and end up overworked, underpaid, and just as exhausted as they were in full-time clinical jobs.
Dr. Jamila is here to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
The Art of Negotiation: Getting Paid What You Deserve
Dr. Jamila spills all the tea on how to negotiate locums contracts like a boss. Because here’s the truth: Hospitals and staffing agencies are not going to pay you what you’re worth unless you ask. And ask correctly.
She walks us through:
✅ The biggest mistakes doctors make when signing locums contracts.
✅ How to push back on bad offers without feeling awkward.
✅ The exact language to use to secure higher rates.
✅ Why knowing your real value as a physician changes everything.
Too many doctors, especially women and physicians of color, feel hesitant to ask for more. But as Dr. Jamila says, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” You must advocate for yourself, and this episode will show you how.
Is Locums Right for You?
Not every doctor is built for the locums life, but if you’re craving more freedom, control, and income, it’s worth exploring.
If you’ve ever thought, I wish I had more control over my career, this episode is for you.
If you’ve ever felt trapped in a job that drains you, this episode is for you.
If you’ve ever wanted to secure the bag without selling your soul to the hospital system, this episode is definitely for you.
Dr. Jamila is living proof that locums can be done in a way that’s sustainable, profitable, and even—dare we say—fun.
Ready to Level Up?
This conversation is a must-listen if you’re ready to take back control of your career and your money. Dr. Jamila is handing out all the gems, and trust me, you need them.