Help & FAQ

Why Shift Medical?

The problem

Practices lose thousands each year in agency commissions and margins loaded onto locum rates — and still spend hours ringing around to fill gaps. Locums lose a cut of every shift to the middleman, get slow payment cycles, and have little visibility of what’s available locally.

What we do differently

Shift Medical connects Canterbury practices directly with verified local doctors and nurses. One flat subscription for practices. Clinicians keep 100% of their rate. Shifts post in minutes, claims arrive instantly, and everything — messaging, rosters, records — lives in one place.

For practices

• Predictable cost: one flat fee, unlimited postings, no per-placement charges or hidden margins.
• Faster fills: your shift is instantly visible to verified local clinicians, with favourites getting first access.
• Better rates attract better locums: with no commission loaded on top, the same budget offers clinicians more — so your shifts fill first.
• Your bench, protected: invite locums you already trust and keep them engaged through one platform.

For clinicians

• Keep 100% of your rate — we never take a cut.
• See every available shift near you and claim in one tap.
• Verify once, work anywhere on the platform.
• Deal directly with the practice — your terms, your rate, no agency in the middle.

For clinicians

How do I sign up?

Create an account at shiftmedical.co.nz, complete the sign-up wizard, and submit your registration details. You can browse available shifts before verification, and claim shifts once verified.

How long does verification take?

Usually within 48 hours. We check your registration and practising certificate against the public register.

How much does it cost me?

Nothing. Clinicians use Shift Medical free of charge and keep 100% of their agreed rate. Practices pay a flat subscription — we never take commission from your pay.

How do I get paid?

Directly by the practice, at the rate shown on the shift. Shift Medical does not handle your pay.

What do I need before claiming shifts?

A current APC, registration with MCNZ or the Nursing Council, appropriate professional indemnity cover, photo ID, and — for doctors — ACLS. You’ll also confirm a short fitness-to-practise declaration. A Ministry of Justice criminal record check is optional: NZ Police vetting can only be requested by the practice engaging you, not by you.

Can I set my own availability?

Yes — you choose which shifts to claim. There are no minimum commitments and no exclusivity; you’re always in control of your schedule.

What if I need to cancel a claimed shift?

Use the in-platform cancellation process as early as possible so the practice can re-post the shift. Repeated late cancellations may affect your account standing.

Do I invoice the practice myself?

Yes — you engage directly with the practice as an independent contractor and invoice them at the agreed rate, as you would for any direct locum arrangement.

For practices

How does the subscription work?

A flat fee gives your practice unlimited shift posting and access to verified local clinicians. No per-placement fees, no commission loaded onto locum rates.

How do I post a shift?

From your dashboard, set the date, time, rate, and role. Verified clinicians matching the role can view and claim it, and you’ll be notified the moment someone applies.

Are clinicians vetted?

Every clinician’s registration and practising certificate is verified against the official register before they can claim shifts, and clinicians confirm their indemnity cover and sign a fitness-to-practise declaration, plus ACLS for doctors. You can view their profile and verification status at any time.

Can we invite locums we already use?

Yes — invite your existing locums to join the platform, and mark favourites so they get first access to your shifts.

Can we post urgent or out-of-hours shifts?

Yes — shifts can be posted any time, including same-day and out-of-hours cover. Your favourited clinicians hear about it the moment you post, and every matching verified clinician sees it on their shift feed straight away.

How do we communicate with clinicians?

Built-in messaging connects your practice manager directly with clinicians — before, during, and after a shift — so nothing gets lost in email or phone tag.

What does it cost?

A flat monthly subscription per practice — unlimited shift posting, no per-placement fees, and no commission taken from clinician rates. See Pricing for the full model, or contact us at support@shiftmedical.co.nz for a figure for your practice or group.

Support

Email support@shiftmedical.co.nz — we aim to respond within one business day.