Five Resolutions for Your Locum Tenens Career

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Happy New Year! What’s on your list of career resolutions? If you are a locum tenens physician or are considering locum work, why not resolve to take a few simple steps to prepare for your next opportunity. Here’s what our recruiters recommend.

Locum Career 2012Refresh your CV. If you haven’t reviewed your CV in a while, chances are, it could use updating. See our tips and ensure that you’ve added all of your new skills, licenses and other relevant information since your last update.

Enhance your skills. CME is a must, and if you’re going to do coursework, focus on classes that improve your skills and marketability. If you’re a hospitalist, consider procedures training. If your specialty demands other skills, make this the year that you get up to date.

Contact your References. A new job typically means reference checks—so when was the last time you reached out to someone you’re listing as an employment reference? If it’s been a while, a New Year’s greeting is a great excuse to reach out and renew that relationship. Remind the individual that you are still listing them as a professional reference, and consider asking them to write a newly dated reference letter.

Check-in With Your Recruiter. While you’re doing outreach, renew that relationship with your recruitment professional. Even if you have worked with a firm in the recent past, a periodic check-in is a good idea. Have your personal circumstances changed? Do you have more or less availability than you have had in the past? All of this information will help you and your recruiter build a plan to keep you happily employed throughout the year. (See our tips for building strong recruiter relationships).

Review your Licenses. Up to date licensure info is a must. Do you have yours handy? January is also a good time to get started on new licenses if you seek to move to or work in a new state in the New Year. Locum Leaders can help get you started. We’ll often reimburse you for your license costs if you work for our firm in a new state.

Good luck in 2012! We look forward to hearing from you—and working with you—in the New Year.

www.locums4you.com

www.pathmarkinc.com

10 Things You Won’t Miss when You Work a Locum Tenens Assignment (continued)

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As promised, here are 2 more things you won’t miss when you work locums:

7. Self promotion – Twenty years ago, physicians would have considered it unethical to market and promote their practices. Today, the internet has changed all that and physicians must use every angle they can to get the word out to prospective patients.  Locum tenens physicians don’t have to worry about promoting themselves or their practices because when their assignment is complete, they move on to the next one. Most locums do recognize however that they need to provide excellent patient care and be easy to work with so that they are either invited back when a vacancy opens up or can land a plum assignment in a new locale.

 

8. Long hours – Physicians with office or hospital practices rarely work an eight hour day. When you have administrative responsibilities in addition to medical responsibilities, the day is long. If you have a family or want to spend your free time somewhere other than work, the long hours can take their toll. That’s not to say that locums don’t work long hours when needed. They do! But locums tend to be able to set their schedules and work when they want to, and if they want time off, they just schedule their assignments around it.

10 Things You Won’t Miss when You Work a Locum Tenens Assignment (continued)

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In our series on the top ten things you WON’T miss when you work a locum assignment, here are numbers 5 and 6…

5. Being the boss –Never underestimate the stress that comes with being the boss! If your office staff reports to you, you’re well aware of the difficulties of keeping all the balls in the air to keep the office workflow flowing.  Not to mention hiring, firing and figuring out what to do when someone calls in sick or just doesn’t show up at all. There’s really never a dull moment when you’re the boss!  When you’re the locum, you may not get to call the shots during your assignment, but because you work for yourself, you’re really the boss anyway!

6.  Meetings, meetings, meetings – No matter where you work, you’re probably required to attend meetings on a regular basis. Have you ever stopped to think how much time per day is spent in meetings? If you are a locum, you are rarely required to participate in meetings unless you are on a long-term assignment. Let’s face it, a meeting-free day means you get to see patients, get stuff done, and move on to the after work activities you enjoy the most.

Ten Things You Won’t Miss when You Work a Locum Tenens Assignment

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If you work locum tenens assignments on a regular basis, you know the freedom that comes along with the locum lifestyle. If you are new to locums or haven’t worked locums in awhile let me take this opportunity to remind you of the top 10 things you will NOT miss when you work locums:
1. Low or no reimbursement – When you work a locum assignment, you won’t have to worry about getting reimbursed for your work. You won’t have to wonder how much the insurance company or Medicare will pay you for seeing that patient. Because locums are paid by the hour, day or by the shift, you simply turn in your timesheet or invoice and you get paid in full. In fact, locums are paid well overall, and if you are willing to take call, or work weekends, holidays or the night shift, your paycheck will really look attractive.

2. High practice operating costs– The hard costs of running your own practice today just keep skyrocketing: staff salaries, office rent, utilities, phones, technology, malpractice insurance, lab costs, office equipment, you name it. Add to that the fact that reimbursements are down and sometimes there isn’t much left at the end of the month. Locums don’t have to stress about whether or not they can pay their staff or whether they can keep the office lights on. Locums just go to work, see patients and collect a paycheck.

Locum Assignment

Locum Assignment

3. Costly malpractice insurance – As we all know, the cost of malpractice insurance keeps on rising. Depending on your specialty and where you live, it can be one of the largest costs a physician takes on. Physicians who work locum assignments must have malpractice insurance too, but the cost of the coverage is usually paid for by the staffing agency placing the physician in the assignment. If a locum decides not to work through an agency, there are daily-rate malpractice insurance options where coverage is available for only the days worked, making it a lot more cost-effective.

4. Office staff or hospital politics – If you’ve been part of a medical office or hospital staff, you know just how crazy the internal politics can be. There are other physicians jockeying for position, hassles from hospital administration, and departmental issues that are always cropping up. As a locum, you have the luxury of not being drawn in to all the hoopla going on around you. At the end of the day, you can go home to a “politics-free” zone.

Coming on November 10th… more things you won’t miss when you work a locum assignment.

What is Locum Tenens?

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Locum Tenens Definition:

For workers in the medical field, chances are the phrase “locum tenens” has come up before. But what is the locum tenens definition? “Locum tenens” is Latin for “one who holds a place.” The phrase refers to a physician working in the place of another physician when he or she is absent, or when a hospital or practice is short-staffed.
Locum tenens physician jobs provide a way for organizations to fill positions that are either temporarily empty (due to sickness, leave, or other reasons) or for which no long-term physician is available. Locum tenens jobs also allow a professional to try (and get experience in) a wide range of work environments and geographic settings.
Locum tenens jobs are available in the USA, CANADA and internationally. International locum tenens in English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, and Canada are especially popular for American physicians because it’s relatively easy to transition into a new culture with a shared language. (There are still some differences, in spite of the shared language. Medications, illnesses, and treatment protocols often have different names. Frequently locum tenens physicians are just called “locums” in these countries.)

Who should consider locum tenens?

For physicians, locum tenens jobs create a perfect temporary position for a resident who’s transitioning to practice or for physicians who have decided to switch from one practice to another. In both cases, locum tenens jobs give you a chance to test the fit of a practice before you commit to a full-time position. Some physicians even use locum tenens jobs as a way to transition into semi-retirement while still earning income.

Locum Services Canada

Locum Tenens

Facilities can use locum tenens physicians to ensure continuity of care and preserve their revenue streams. Many requests for coverage come from facilities or practices that are actively recruiting and need coverage until they find a permanent candidate. Other needs include peak demand coverage (i.e., tourist season or cold and flu season), coverage while a physician is on medical leave or vacation, or immediate staffing to help a facility launch a new program or service line.

Locum Tenens Is usually an Open Door

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You will find certainly many excellent reasons to consider a locum tenens career a high level physician, therefore many available opportunities that you’re sure to find something which interests you. But if you’re fresh out of school of medicine and not quite sure that you need to go, being employed as a locum could be the open door that demonstrates to you what your true passion is. There are lots of locum tenens physicians who have begun the procedure exclusively for financial reasons, only to find out that certain specific assignment they took showed them what they have to wanted to accomplish.

Locum Success Open Doors
    Locum Success Open Doors
Should you be perusing this everybody knows just what a locum tenens physician is. But also for individuals who don’t, the saying “locum tenens” can be a Latin phrase meaning “place-holder.” The locum doctor works like a placeholder or substitute if you will, for a staff doctor or private practitioner that is away. Sometimes these assignments are short-term (One to two weeks) and also other times they could be providing 3-6 months. In any case, the locum doctor moves derived from one of assignment an additional because they become available.

Gain Valuable Experience

Like a locum fresh beyond med school, you may have the chance to see and experience a wide variety of physician’s jobs. When you can be capable of do several unique things, just one line of work that you are thinking about pursuing could be easier with all the added experience.
Furthermore, this additional experience will result in an all-natural procedure for career development that you cannot get from reading books. Like a locum you can be subjected to all different kinds of individuals, cultural influences that affect health, financial circumstances, and various attitudes to healthcare that you see in various areas of america. Because Navy is always to the military, locum tenens is usually to the concept of medical care.

Finding Your ideal Job

Most 18-year-old enter college not so sure what they desire regarding their lives. You, however, always wanted to be described as a doctor. Thus it comes as a bit of a surprise once you graduate from medical school and realize you do not know what sort of doctor you would like to become. This scenario can be so common inside medical profession that’s almost a prerequisite to learning to be a full-fledged physician. By beginning your career as a locum you’ll be able to experience a number of different kinds of work environments and specialties that may hopefully expose you to the type of work you’re excited about.
You might not be properly accredited for that work, but you may return to school and finish your education for the specialty. Should you be already qualified with the work you may be good to go start to look for assignments only on the bottom, or submit an application for permanent position in the event you desire. Either way, the harder various kinds of work you’re encountered with in a very locum tenens position, the greater your chances are going to find the one kind of work that you really can do.
Locum tenens jobs is usually a vast open door in the world of the longer term. Should you be just graduated from med school you would excel to contemplate going this path, for the time being. Should you decide you won’t enjoy it you could hunt for private practice or staff position. Should you as it, you possibly can make it your work in the specialty you decide on.

How to have a successful locum tenens career!

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You’ve made an excellent career move but now you’re ready to become that successful professional.

Locum Tenens Career
Here are 5 simple points you should think about in order to succeed in the industry.
  1. Try your best to be flexible and open minded.  You should be willing to try new things; this is essential.  Doctors often have their fixed routine set in place and sometimes it is not easy to adapt to someone else’s routine.  Also, be willing to learn new techniques and accept alternative ways of  reaching the same goals. 
  2. Remember, working as a locum tenens is an amazing way to travel and still pad your CV.  However, it    is not a vacation!  Never forget, you are there to work, but the good times won’t be far behind.
  3. Depending on your lodging arrangements, consider arriving a day or two early.  This is a really great idea for a smooth transition into a new office, even if it is just for a short contract.  Introduce yourself to other staff members & find out where you’ll be working – maybe request a tour of the entire office.  Make sure you can actually find the office.  Then on your first day, you can arrive early, ready to start work with a strong, positive attitude.  Clients and staff members will appreciate your efficiency. 
  4. Treat working as a locum tenens as a learning experience.  Make the most of your time.  Inquire about    the client’s methods and techniques.  Asking smart questions is a great way to learn new things about    the industry.  It also helps to bridge connections between yourself and other associates.   
  5. Maintain good relationships between patients and staff.  It is important to be tolerant and professional.  Patients respond well to empathy; it makes their time at your office more comfortable.  Take the time to relate to each and every patient.  Their satisfaction will leave you with a    solid, very rewarding feeling!  
      We remain, as always,
Pathmark Locum Service, Inc 
LOCUMS4YOU

Now that I’m a locum tenens, who pays me?

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Locum tenens providers are independent contractors.  As such, competitive compensation is typically based on hourly, daily and gross billing terms, as well as according to industry standards.  It is in the locum’s best interest to inquire about payment schedules prior to accepting the contract.  Some locums are more comfortable with

Payment for locums
           Payment FAQs

weekly, rather than biweekly pay.  It is also important to discuss whether you will be paid by cheque or direct deposit.  Don’t forget to consider lodging expenses when thinking about your salary.  Lodging expenditures are covered on individual contract basis.  You are your own boss, so negotiations are always up to you!

We remain, as always,

Locum Tenens Contract

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Signing a contract as a locum tenens can be overwhelming.  It’s a smart idea to make a list of conditions that you want included in your contract negotiations.  Remember, the most important thing is that you’re comfortable with the contract when it’s in front of you.  We thought we might give you a helping hand with things to consider as you negotiate your contract:

                                              Locum Tenens Contract

1.      Obviously, it is important to inquire about salary, benefits and related expenses.

2.      Inquire about travel expenditures and living arrangements.  This is especially important if you’re    considering taking up a position out of town.

3.      How long is the contract?  Some locum tenens will stipulate a trial period of the first month of a long placement, allowing the locum to back out if they are uncomfortable for any reason.  Industry standard    for this is usually 30 days.

4.      Make sure you know the provider you will report to.

5.      Get to know your placement before showing up at the door.  Clients are looking for enthusiastic locums.  Take an interest in their practice by asking questions such as, how long has the firm been in business?  Do they represent solo or group practices?  What do typical practice opportunities look like? What specialties does the office deal in?  What are the care facilities like?  Will you be working in more than one office?

We remain, as always,

LOCUMS4YOU

Pathmark Locum Service, Inc

Complete your Locum Profile in the Best Possible Way

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So you’ve joined the team of online Do It Yourself locums!  After you’ve completed the registration, the next step is to build your profile.  The goal here is to create a stunning profile – one that will make clients fight to have you join their clinic as an associate!  This is the part where you have the most influence on how you sell yourself.  Why should I hire you?  Stay away from generic or bland words like responsible, diligent, and hardworking.  Save those character sketches for the interview.

Locum Profile

Locum Profile

Your profile is the best way to immediately position yourself ahead of the pack, so . . . .  BE CREATIVE!  Cater to your strengths and interests.  Maybe your locum contract in Timmins offered you a unique perspective into the spinal problems of coal miners and it provided you with extensive experience in related fields.  Perhaps you have developed a keen interest in sports therapy working at an associateship near Mount Tremblant ski resort.  Feel free to highlight whatever you’ve learned that will set you apart from others searching for the same position – expand on how it broadened your perspectives in countless ways.
Don’t be shy.  Add your best picture!  Let the client see a professional picture of you dressed in your Sunday finest.  Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Put up a picture with a bright smile that says, “I’m excited and committed to being an excellent addition to the client’s office”.  You are a warm and personable – your picture reflects your accommodating personality!  Profiles with pictures and a detailed biography always receive the most responses.
Don’t forget to continually update your profile!
We remain, as always,