Returning to work

Khan was taking part in a training and development plan that would see her purchase the practice and progress to practice director.

However, during her year of maternity leave, Khan reassessed her career trajectory.

“I realised that operating a seven-clinic practice no longer aligned with the way I wanted to parent. As a result, I began locum work to get a better understanding of the industry and exposure to the market,” she explained.

A new road

As a locum, Khan has travelled to Warwick in the north and Maidstone in the south.

She said that working as a locum has enabled her to spend more quality time with her son, who will sometimes accompany her on road trips to locum days where she has childcare support.

“I now know the lyrics to every vehicle song created by Blippi,” Khan said.

“Locuming has allowed me to remain actively engaged in a profession, while also continuing to broaden my scope of practice, without having to totally choose between my career or being a mum,” she highlighted.

Khan said that she was initially apprehensive about making the transition to locum work.

She described the idea of stepping away from the safety net of familiar processes and support staff as “daunting.”

“However, working as a locum has offered me the space and flexibility to shape my own career path,” Khan said.

Aaminah Khan

Aaminah Khan, locum optometrist

Locuming has allowed me to remain actively engaged in a profession, while also continuing to broaden my scope of practice, without having to totally choose between my career or being a mum

Preparing to enter the locum workforce

When Khan was preparing to work as a locum, she took advice on the practical and administrative aspects of this mode of working.

“I was fortunate to connect with Mo Chaudhry from LocumKit – a dual skilled chartered accountant and practising optometrist – whose guidance was instrumental,” she highlighted.

When it came to sourcing locum work, Khan reached out to practices directly to find out if they required support.

She also used apps, such as Locate a locum, to provide an overview of areas where there was demand for locum work. 

Khan highlighted the value of honest self-reflection to identify clinical strengths and areas for improvement when working as a locum.

“Unlike residency, locum work doesn’t provide performance reviews, so it’s essential to take personal accountability for professional development,” she said.

Reflecting on steps that practices can take to support parents returning to work, Khan outlined the value of having flexible hours.

“It’s worth recognising that having an optometrist who is engaged, motivated, and committed, even for a half day, can often give greater value than an optometrist working a full day at reduced capacity due to fatigue or burnout,” she emphasised.