Tips to Follow Before Choosing the Ideal Locum Tenens Physician Job

Locum tenens physicians can get an opportunity to travel, earn additional income, meet new coworkers, and get rid of office politics.  However, before opting for a locum position, make sure to compare multiple locum jobs, prioritize what matters to you, and believe your instincts. With multiple locations and specialties, you will get a handful of jobs. Choosing the best from them can be overwhelming. Hence, this article provides a list of tips to choose the job that works for you.

What really matters to you?

As mentioned already, locum tenens jobs have multiple benefits. Hence, the first thing you should do is to decide what really matters to you while having realistic expectations. So, make a list of your priorities.

• • Location – Choose the work location, whether you are ready to work in rural or urban areas
  • Pay rate – You can decide the pay range that you prefer. However, keep in mind that pay rate differs according to the location and specialty
  • Malpractice insurance – Most of the locum tenens staffing agencies like ProLocums offer this option for locum tenens physicians
  • Possibility for clinical skill expansion – In case you are at the beginning stage of your locum career, this option might work for you
  • Partnering with locum agency – Locum tenens staffing agencies like ProLocums assist you with the credentialing process. Hence, partnering with agencies like them can help you find the right locum job that meets your needs as quickly as possible
  • Type of locum assignment – Choose whether you prefer locum seriate, locum tempus, or locum permanent assignments

There are 3 types of locum assignments:

• Locum tempus assignments – It lasts for a few days to a few months. These are assignments that providers fill in for another provider who is on a short vacation or sick leave.
• Locum seriate assignments – It could remain for a part-time or full-time schedule on a continuous basis. This assignment is meant for a detailed assessment of a position or to bridge the gap between permanent positions.
• Locum permanent assignment – This is literally a full-time permanent position for a prolonged duration. After working as a locum tempus or seriate position, providers will shift into a permanent assignment

Understand why a healthcare facility chooses locum tenens physicians

Healthcare facilities across the nation search for locum providers to fill in the positions when:

• The existing providers are on maternity or paternity leave
• Care providers go on vacation
• You want to ease work pressure on existing permanent staff
• You prefer to improve provider and patient satisfaction
• Doctors attend a conference
• There is a temporary vacancy to be filled till you get the permanent candidates
• You prefer to try a care provider to assess whether they will be the right permanent fit
• You want to test new services or programs before investing in medical staff recruitment
• You need more access to urgent services in rural or underserved areas
• You prefer doctors to meet increasing patient volumes
• You are looking for a cost-effective and flexible solution to address staffing requirements
• You need a care provider for a specific duration – from days to weeks to a few months

Talk to the locum tenens healthcare staffing agency

Before you apply and accept any locum assignment, partner with the healthcare staffing agency that works for you. Wondering which one seems to be the best? Connect with the locum agency that fulfills the following five requirements:

• Check whether the locum tenens agency covers varied specialties like primary care, general surgery, anesthesiology, and psychiatry
• See if they are available to answer your queries or clarify your doubts by providing 24/7 support
• Check the company website and go through online testimonials
• See if the agency provides licensure support before the contract starts
• Check if the locum agency provides malpractice insurance coverage

Thus, make sure to explore the entire above checklist before finalizing the reliable locum tenens healthcare staffing agency.

Believe your instincts

Like other aspects of your life, believe your instinct when it comes to locum jobs as well. Once you are clear with your priorities, choose the one that suits your requirements. In case you have any queries, make sure to speak with the locum agency representative.

 Final Thoughts

Are you finally ready to apply or accept a locum tenens physician assignment? Identify your goals, finalize your priorities, and find the right assignment. Partnering with a locum tenens healthcare staffing agency can help you find the ideal facility that matches your expectations.