Whether you're a seasoned medical professional considering a career shift or a new graduate exploring options in the healthcare field, you may have come across a common term: locum tenens. Typically associated with flexible work schedules, diverse clinical experiences, and opportunities to travel, locum tenens roles offer an appealing career route.
Here’s our best advice on how to prepare for your locum tenens assignment and your first physician job, with insights from five medical professionals who have pursued these opportunities themselves.
First things first: Selecting an assignment
Prep your resume and be ready to interview
Like any other field, landing the desired locum tenens position requires a standout resume or curriculum vitae. In general, make sure that your CV is current, and that your first page captures the essentials like your education, residency, fellowships, and up-to-date board certifications and licenses. Also include your employment history, as well as any past locum tenens experience, and do some extra prep so you’ll nail any virtual interviews.
Consider using an agency to find a job
Navigating the healthcare job market can be a complex and time-consuming process, particularly when exploring opportunities in the realm of locum tenens. Tapping into the knowledge and resources of a professional agency can bring a multitude of benefits to the table, streamlining your job search process and aiding you to make the most out of your healthcare career.
Benefits of using a locum tenens agency include:
- Expert help finding jobs that are the right fit.
- Ongoing support and encouragement, even after you’ve accepted an offer.
- Someone there to do all the logistical heavy lifting of job application management.
Communicate preferences to your recruiter
Infectious disease physician Dr. RK Devlin points out that one step to ensuring a positive locum tenens experience is to clearly communicate your practice and travel preferences to your work placement agency.
“Being honest about the type and amount of work you want to do is imperative, as those choices allow your recruiter to match you with a job opportunity that best meets your expectations.”
As an example, Dr. Devlin gave these points of preference to his recruiter: “My assignment preference is to work on an inpatient infectious disease consultative service at a smaller community-based teaching institution. I don’t like working more than seven days in a row, more than two weeks a month, or more than three to six months in total. And I have no interest in overtime.”
Evaluate offers with intention
It’s crucial not to rush into accepting a locum tenens job offer without a careful evaluation. Take a step back and ask your recruiter for more insights on the compensation package and the culture at your potential new workplace. Other considerations include the facility's website, reputation, and online presence; if there are any additional bonuses or incentives on top of the base pay; what benefits are offered; the patient load and complexity; contract terms, such as non-compete or restrictive clauses, and more.
Negotiate the contract to fit your desired schedule, work-life balance, salary, and more.
What to do once you have a match
Know the details before you go
Pediatrician Dr. Trevor Cabrera advises both first-time and seasoned locum tenens doctors to know specifics about where you’ll be working.
Whether this is your first locum tenens assignment or you’re a locum tenens pro, it’s important to know specifics about where you’ll be working. Here are some of the things you’ll want to know before you go:
- Administrative details, such as where the medical service officer is located.
- Information technology. Who do you reach out to for sorting computer problems quickly?
One other tip? Review hospital maps. “Regardless of your specialty, finding your way around a new place is important. You’ll want to know how to reach the emergency room, different departments, and of course, where the bathroom is.”
Verify your schedule
“Always verify that your schedules match before arrival, as there are a number of middlemen involved in this process and, as a result, it is not uncommon for assignment dates to be erroneously changed or dropped between you, the locums company, and the institution,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov.
Dr. Cabrera notes that if your schedule is incongruous with your expectations, you should contact your recruiter as soon as possible so they can correct any errors.
You can take your schedule confirmations one step further and keep things running smoothly by also verifying a point of contact for receiving and signing out for your locum tenens commitment duration. Dr. Kusnezov notes, “This ensures continuity and the best possible patient care.”
Get your paperwork together
Dr. Cabrera also advises locum tenens workers to come prepared with the right paperwork to streamline their onboarding experience.
He notes: “After working locum tenens for so long, I’ve found these documents are always required:
- Medical/DEA licenses.
- Life-saving certifications, such as BLS, ACLS, and PALS.
- Credentials, such as one’s badge or pictures of one’s board certification and licensing or NPI.
- Personal identification.
- COVID-19/flu vaccination cards.
Note that paperwork requirements vary from state to state, so do your research ahead of time.
upon arrival, consider arranging emergency roadside assistance or travel insurance.
After your locum tenens assignment
Take stock of the experience
Now that this locum tenens assignment is behind you, do some reflecting. What did you learn about your likes and dislikes from this work arrangement? Clarifying your learned preferences can help simplify future job hunts.
Update your CV and network
It’s time to add this latest work experience to your resume and portfolio and expand your network strategically by reaching out to colleagues and supervisors for connections or recommendations.
Plan your next move
It’s time to start making plans for your next locum tenens assignment or the next stage of your career. With more experience under your belt, you are well equipped to make new decisions that factor in your desired location, facility type, or patient population; the length and timing that works for your schedule; and whether you can fulfill the required qualifications or certifications. You’ll be back at the bedside before you know it.