Professional development is an important part of Pharmacy practice. Industry conferences, CPD events, training days, and professional forums give Pharmacy teams the opportunity to learn, grow, and stay current with developments in the profession. Encouraging your team to attend these events is an investment in the quality of care your Pharmacy provides.
But when a key team member – or several – are away from the Pharmacy at the same time, maintaining normal operations requires planning. Conference coverage is a staffing need that many Pharmacies underestimate until they are faced with a gap they had not adequately prepared for.
What Is Conference Coverage in Pharmacy?
Conference coverage refers to the locum staffing arrangements put in place to maintain a Pharmacy’s normal operations while one or more permanent team members are attending a conference, professional development event, training day, or similar activity away from the Pharmacy.
Unlike emergency cover – which arises from unexpected absences – conference coverage is a planned staffing need. That planning advantage means Pharmacies can be more deliberate about who they bring in and how they prepare that person for the role.
Why Conference Coverage Matters
Your Pharmacy Does Not Close Because Your Team Is Away
Patients still need their prescriptions. Appointments still need to be kept. Clinical services still need to be delivered. The fact that a permanent team member is gaining valuable professional development does not reduce the Pharmacy’s obligations to the patients and community it serves.
Without proper conference coverage in place, the team members who remain are left to cover additional responsibilities they were not scheduled for. This creates unnecessary pressure, increases the risk of errors, and undermines the very wellbeing and performance that professional development is meant to support.
It Protects Your Permanent Team
One of the most common reasons Pharmacy staff resist attending professional development opportunities is the concern about what they are leaving behind. If your team knows that proper locum cover will be in place during their absence, they can attend conferences and training events with full focus – rather than worrying about what is happening back at the Pharmacy.
It Supports a Culture of Professional Growth
Pharmacies that routinely arrange conference coverage signal to their team that professional development is genuinely valued – not something to feel guilty about. This contributes to a positive, growth-oriented Pharmacy culture that supports staff retention and professional satisfaction over the long term.
Types of Pharmacy Events That Require Conference Coverage
Conference coverage is relevant for a range of planned absences, including:
- National and state Pharmacy conferences such as PSA National, Pharmacy Guild events, and SHPA (Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia) events
- CPD training days and clinical skills workshops
- Banner group training and operations meetings
- Pharmacy ownership or business development events
- Academic or postgraduate study commitments
Any planned absence that leaves your Pharmacy with a gap in its staffing roster is a situation where locum conference coverage should be considered.
Planning Your Conference Coverage: A Practical Approach
Identify the Gap Early
As soon as a team member confirms they will be attending an event, identify the impact on your roster. How many shifts will be affected? Which roles need to be covered? Is there sufficient remaining team capacity to absorb the absence, or is locum cover required?
The earlier you identify the gap, the more options you have for filling it well.
Book Cover Well in Advance
Conference coverage is a planned need – treat it that way. Booking your locum cover as soon as the absence is confirmed gives LocumCo the best opportunity to source a candidate who is experienced, well-matched to your Pharmacy, and available for the specific dates you need.
Last-minute conference coverage requests are manageable, but early notice consistently produces better outcomes.
Brief Your Locum Thoroughly
Because conference coverage is planned, you have time to brief your locum Pharmacist or support staff before the event. Prepare a short handover document covering:
- Key workflows and daily responsibilities
- Dispensing software and systems
- Clinical services the locum will be expected to deliver
- Contact details for key team members and the Pharmacist-in-Charge
- Any current patient notes or pending matters to be aware of
A well-briefed locum performs significantly better from day one. The time you invest in the handover pays off throughout the coverage period.
Consider the Full Team, Not Just the Pharmacist
Conference coverage is not only about replacing a Pharmacist. If a Dispensary Technician or Pharmacy Assistant is the one attending the event, that gap needs to be covered too. LocumCo places locum Dispensary Technicians and locum Pharmacy Assistants alongside our Pharmacist placements, so one call covers your full team.
How LocumCo Handles Conference Coverage
LocumCo provides conference and training day coverage as a core part of our locum staffing service. We have been supporting Pharmacies through planned and unplanned absences for over 40 years, and our team understands the planning requirements of conference coverage well.
Our process is straightforward. Contact LocumCo with your conference coverage requirements – dates, roles needed, and any specific skills or experience required. We will reach out via phone or email. From there, we source the right candidates, send you resumes for approval, and connect you with your locum team ahead of the event.
With over 21,000 Pharmacists and candidates in our network and 4,800 Pharmacy clients across Australia, we have the depth to provide coverage across every state and territory.
The Roles LocumCo Covers for Conference Periods
LocumCo can arrange conference coverage across your full Pharmacy team:
- Locum Pharmacists for dispensing, patient care, and Pharmacist-in-Charge responsibilities
- Locum Dispensary Technicians for prescription processing and dispensary support
- Locum Pharmacy Assistants for front-of-pharmacy, customer service, and stock management
Having a single agency arrange all of this simplifies the planning process significantly. One conversation with the LocumCo team covers every role that needs filling.
Visit our Employer Resources page for practical guides to help you plan your conference coverage arrangements, or browse our available candidates to see who is ready to step in.
In Summary
Conference coverage is a planned staffing need that deserves the same professional attention as any other aspect of Pharmacy workforce management. Pharmacies that arrange it well protect their patients, support their permanent team, and build a culture where professional development is genuinely encouraged.
LocumCo is here to make your conference coverage straightforward, reliable, and professionally handled – every time.
Planning conference coverage for your Pharmacy team?
- Pharmacy owners and employers: List your coverage requirements at locumco.com.au/submit-vacancy
- Locum Pharmacists available for planned cover periods: Browse current roles at LocumCo’s Job Board
Contact the LocumCo team early – the more notice we have, the better the outcome.
FAQs
What is conference coverage in Pharmacy?
Conference coverage refers to the locum staffing arranged to maintain a Pharmacy’s normal operations while permanent team members attend a conference, training day, CPD event, or other planned professional development activity.
How far in advance should I book conference coverage?
As soon as the absence is confirmed. Booking early gives LocumCo the best opportunity to source an experienced, well-matched candidate for your specific dates and requirements.
Can LocumCo cover all roles during a conference absence, not just Pharmacists?
Yes. LocumCo places locum Pharmacists, Dispensary Technicians, and Pharmacy Assistants. If multiple roles need covering during a conference period, we can arrange the full team in one process.
What information should I give a locum Pharmacist covering a conference period?
Prepare a handover document covering your key workflows, dispensing software, clinical services the locum will deliver, team contact details, and any current patient matters to be aware of. A thorough briefing produces a much stronger locum performance.