Blog

In the past, we presented different scenarios to illustrate a number of ways the “locum lifestyle” could be calling your name. Here, we suggest five more for your consideration. Read on to see if one or several resonate with you.

‘Tis the season to be jolly. After all, December is a month of multicultural celebrations, from Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve. Many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends, planning celebratory meals, hosting get-togethers, decorating our homes, and shopping for the perfect gifts. And while these occasions can bring much joy, they also can leave a number of us feeling more than a little overwhelmed.

As physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and CRNAs who routinely accept locum tenens jobs at diverse healthcare settings know firsthand, management systems and delivery of care can change from one assignment to the next. Nevertheless, experienced locum tenens providers understand that they must be flexible and prepared to work within each organization’s existing infrastructure to meet its particular needs and successfully promote continuity of care.

As a healthcare executive, you or one of your teams oversees your hospital, health system, or practice’s staffing needs. Ensuring sufficient coverage also means you are accountable for the continuity of patient care provided at your facility.

In the past, we provided a tool to help you do a little soul searching as you reflect on your career path and the opportunities available to you. After taking our 16-question self-assessment test—which posed queries like, “Am I living where I plan to retire?” and “Would doing locum tenens impact my personal commitments and/or other professional obligations?”—you should have greater clarity as to whether working locum tenens is right for you.

Once you determine you need supplemental staff, communicating your requirements and expectations to a trusted locum tenens staffing firm can render a smoother onboarding process. And while an orientation program does not have to be lengthy to be effective, it needs to be thorough. Depending on contract duration and your resources, locum tenens clinicians may receive a brief primer or have a couple of days to become acquainted with your hospital, medical practice, or health system. Yet, no matter the scenario, there are several things you can do to inspire familiarity at an accelerated pace. Read on for eight tried-and-true tips.

Taking an assignment over the holidays is a personal decision that may change from year to year. But there certainly are advantages to accepting contracts that take place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Since many permanent staff members want time off during the holidays, you may find a wider array of locum tenens opportunities from which to choose. This is especially beneficial if you are trying to get your foot in the door at a specific facility or want an assignment in a highly desirable destination.

National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week—which provides opportunities for healthcare leaders and co-workers to formally recognize practicing NPs and their important contributions to medicine—officially began Sunday, November 11. As a hospital executive or practice manager, you have likely put something in place to show your NPs how much you value their dedication to and delivery of quality care.

You have always liked the idea of doing locum tenens. The practice alternative would enable you to travel to different places and meet new people. It could also give you a fresh perspective and the chance to make a real difference in underserved communities throughout the United States.

Attracting and retaining quality clinicians is both the key to success and a top challenge for hospitals, practices, clinics, and health systems around the country. Physician burnout, turnover, and provider shortages add to the pressure of finding (and keeping) the best candidates.