Individuals typically go through medical school with their lives planned out. They know that they will spend quite a few years in residency and fellowships, and hopefully, that will culminate in a nice, secure job. They never envision going off this traditional path, but they should.
Locum tenens are in high demand today. Healthcare organizations need help with staffing gaps, and these temporary workers fill open positions until permanent replacements can be found. Many medical professionals never consider finding a locums assignment. They never stop to think about the flexibility of these assignments and the fact that they can advance their skills as they take on new types of cases. What should a person know when looking for their first locum tenens assignment?
Work With an Agency
Locum tenens work with agencies to find open opportunities. People might assume these doctors and nurses find temporary positions independently, but that is rarely true. The agency works with several healthcare organizations and practices, so it will be aware of open opportunities that most people don’t know about. The agency knows how to match medical professionals with assignments that fulfill their requirements.
Look Early and Often
Residents should look for assignments months before they are ready to start working. Experts recommend prepping for a locum’s assignment six months before beginning the assignment. This time frame ensures the individual has time to check out different opportunities, finalize their locum tenens contract, and obtain the necessary licensing and credentials for the position.
The licensing and credentialing process typically takes anywhere from two to four months. Many locum tenens use the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to reduce this time frame to weeks rather than months. Credentialing can take up to two months as well.
Remain Open-Minded
A person might have a vision in mind when they first begin looking for locum tenens positions. It is best to keep an open mind and remain flexible. Individuals who embrace change easily will thrive in this type of setting. They know that each assignment will present them with different challenges, diverse patient populations, and company cultures. They must be able to adapt to the various settings quickly to be successful in these assignments.
Prepare to Be Uncomfortable
Locum tenens must be ready to step out of their comfort zones. That’s when they will grow and expand their skills, perspective, and knowledge base. They must enter each position knowing it is only temporary, and they will soon seek another opportunity. While it is uncomfortable to be in the situation, it helps doctors become more resilient. They develop problem-solving skills and learn to adapt rapidly. Doing so will give them confidence as they know they can handle different situations when practicing medicine.
Men and women who take the leap and accept locum tenens positions find they are glad they did so. While doing so is exciting, it is also gratifying. Men and women know that they fill open positions to ensure patients receive continuous care, and those who have lacked access to healthcare in the past now have somebody to assist them.
Locum tenens can do precisely what they entered the industry to do, which is help patients. At the same time, they have more control over their schedule, they get to try different opportunities, and they meet countless people on this journey. The memories they make as they move from position to position will stay with them forever.
