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Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that means to hold the place and is used to describe when a physician works temporarily in a hospital or other healthcare clinic. A locum tenens Physician allows healthcare providers to cover another Physician's vacation/medical leave, account for increased patient demand and staffing shortages, or fill gaps while searching for new, permanent Physicians. Other locum tenens assignments could include being a locum advanced practice provider which is a healthcare provider who can perform medical activities that are typically performed by a Physician. Locum advanced practitioners are also important in the healthcare industry that always has a demand for medical staffing. The appropriate number and mix of locum tenens Physicians allows healthcare organizations to provide quality healthcare to their patient populations, while offering healthcare professionals more flexibility, extra income, the ability to travel, and exposure to new and evolving patient care environments.
Doctors are able to search for locum tenens positions themselves by searching online job boards, networking with peers and even calling the hospitals and clinics in the area they wish to work. Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have a variety of different jobs offered including anesthesiology, hospital medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, urgent care, hematology-oncology, OBGYN, radiology, and advanced practice provider openings like physician assistants, CRNAs, and nurse practitioners. While doctors are able to manage their own locum tenens careers, there are significant benefits for working with a locum tenens staffing agency to find work. Locums agencies offer access to multiple job postings in one place, allowing you to plan your next assignment in your medical career and have the details in place before your current job assignment ends. Other benefits you can gain access to, include:
Licensing and Credentialing
Many staffing agencies will handle the documentation and verification process and act as a liaison between the Physicians, states boards, and various offices that are contacted during the application process. Some credentialing applications can be over 150 pages long and oftentimes physicians don't hold a medical license in the state they are applying for. Having a locum tenens agency that is experienced with the processes and locum tenens industry standards ensures that you will be able to start the new position in a timely manner.
Travel and housing expertise
Many staffing agencies can assist with travel and housing arrangements, as well as are able to discuss reimbursement as part of the negotiation process.
Malpractice Coverage
It is common for the staffing agency to provide some form of malpractice coverage in the contract, however, details and coverage limits may vary. Malpractice coverage is an important part of being a locum tenens physician and having an agency assist in navigating the requirements is helpful. It is important to know your obligations ahead of time as malpractice insurance can be a significant cost that may impact your decision on a particular locum tenens job.
Negotiation
Working directly with a locum tenens staffing agency allows you to negotiate the rate, shift preference, start date, days off and other job details important to you. Locum tenens Physicians typically earn more per hour when compared to a permanent medical position and sometimes the staffing agency can help negotiate a higher rate than you would have been able to on your own given their relationship with the medical facility.
Finding a wide variety of assignments
A good locum tenens agency can help you find a high paying job, but also the one that best suits what you are looking for. The highest paying job and your personal needs and comfort levels may not always go hand in hand. For example, the highest paying job may be in an extremely rural area where you are the only provider with limited support to back you up. Instead, you might feel more comfortable working a job in a larger hospital with access to subspecialty support for only a few dollars less in pay. In the end, the best match may not always be the highest paying job, but agencies should have access to a wide variety of options.
Choosing an agency is an important choice that will help you achieve your career goals. You have the right to evaluate different locum tenens companies and choose the firm that best represents you. Keep these tips in mind when making your decision between locum tenens companies.
Vet your agency
Today there are tons of locum tenens positions available to Physicians. Before you choose a company from the locums industry that you wish to partner with, you should vet your options. Ask the company how long they have been in business and who their clients are. Check how many positions they have available and at what rate new jobs are added. Evaluate their level of professionalism and ask if any of their recruiters specialize in your discipline of medical specialties. You are counting on this locums company to be your lifeline to new job opportunities and rewarding assignments, so make sure they are a good choice for you before you commit.
Don't spread yourself too thin
Many doctors find it beneficial to partner with more multiple firms as it increases the job options they have available to them. However, working with too many can be problematic. If your CV is too widely circulated it can make you look desperate for a position, as well as create confusion with employers on who your staffing agency is. Many recruiters also shy away from partnering with a doctor if they think their resume has been over shopped.
Be clear about your needs
While the ability to be a working locum tenens Physician is exciting because of all the benefits it brings, remember that wants and needs of a position can greatly differ. To keep a realistic vision of what you need in a position, determine the type of position, pay, and location you need with personal requirements like loved ones and pets in mind. Keeping a realistic goal allows agencies to accurately present you to employers matching those needs.
Ask what they bring to the table
Make sure that the locum tenens agency provides some form of malpractice insurance, and check to see if they offer services such as licensing, credentialing, travel and housing arrangements. What sets them apart from the other agencies out there? Do they have a team to manage the hassles or will you be expected to do a majority of the paperwork?
Geographic coverage
It is important to consider if the locum tenens company is big enough to help you reach your goals. If you are looking to travel further or internationally, a larger agency may be a better fit for you. Some locum tenens agencies will focus on a specific region, such as the southwest, which will limit your options for travel.
We have found over the years that the decision to take on a locum tenens role is a highly personal one. Some of our healthcare providers are looking for locum tenens jobs that provide more flexibility so they can spend time at home, and some are looking for exciting travel opportunities. Here are the top reasons our locum tenens providers gave us when we asked why they are interested in locum tenens jobs:
Whatever your reason, a locum tenens company can help you find the best fit for your lifestyle. At Caliber because we are a leading provider, we take all your preferences into consideration and send you only the best job matches for you, taking out the need to search multiple job boards to find the right fit. If you are ready to jump into a locum tenens position, reach out to Caliber today.
