Locum Link

• Five New Year’s Resolutions for Locum Tenens

  January 8th, 2010

  A new year is a great time to revisit some of the elements required for locum tenens success. The 2010 job market promises to be an active one, and the simple tips below will keep you prepared for the next opportunity.

  Update your CV. Are you current with recent work experiences, address and other contact information? What about the addition of new skills, licenses, publications or certifications? If you haven’t checked out your CV in a while, chances are it’s time for a quick review and revision.

  Refresh your References. You’ll need three to five strong references for almost any job, but keep a longer list ready just in case some of your contacts are unreachable. Make sure your references include previous supervisors (not just peers), and don’t hesitate to ask for a new reference at the end of a positive locum assignment. If you’re listing someone you haven’t spoken with in a while, now is a great time 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.

  Acquire New Licenses. Want to work in sunny Florida? Then you better have a Florida license (unless you plan to work at a federal facility). If you have your eye on locum work in a new locale, now is the time to become licensed in your states of choice. Remember that licensure in some states can take three months or longer, so don’t delay. It’s also a good time to check on certifications (like ACLS) to be sure you are up to date and, if not, renew as applicable.

  Organize your Locum Life. Working as a locum tenens requires some organization. Some tips: Keep a log of assignments and facilities to which you’ve been submitted. Keep a folder of expenses and pay information for tax purposes. Maintain electronic files of references and other common locum tenens paperwork, and transfer copies to a flash drive so you have them on the road for easy access.

  Talk to Your Recruiter. The best way to book consistent locum work that meets your goals is to partner with a recruiter who knows your interests, pay expectations, skills and availability. Even if you have worked with a recruiter or 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? Are there new locations you seek to work in? All of this information will help you and your recruiter build a plan to keep you happily employed throughout the year.

  Tags: 2010, locum tenens, recruiter
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• Orient Yourself for Locum Tenens Success

  October 29th, 2009

  If you work regularly as a locum tenens, you often return to the same location.  But just as often you’re “the newcomer” in a facility where you’ve never worked.

  It can be a little daunting and you may feel, well, a little out of place.  

  Fortunately, no matter how long or short your assignment, the hospital where you are working is invested in your success.  So most will do what they can to orient you and integrate you into their team as quickly as possible.

  At some hospitals, you’ll participate in a formal orientation program.  These programs are helpful, but can vary from location to location in terms of quality and duration.  On some assignments, your orientation will be comprehensive, while on others, it may be brief and somewhat informal–so be prepared for all of these possibilities.

  One approach to hit the ground running is to be pro-active in your information gathering.  Try using a self-orientation checklist to ensure that you know everything you need to know to be successful in your locum tenens assignment.  Our Chief Medical Officer recommends the list below as a starting point for hospitalists.  If you’re in a different specialty or work outside of a hospital, you can modify this list accordingly.

  A final tip:  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It shows interest on your part and a commitment to quality patient care.

  Orientation to the Hospital
   Program Office
   ICU
   ED
   Physicians Lounge
   On-Call Room
   Medical/ Surgical Units

  Orientation to the Medical Records
   CPOE  Brief version(if appropriate)
   Review of normal patient chart
   Standardized Orders – access and use
   How to retrieve old records
   MAR/Pharmacy records access
   Patient Documentation

  Billing System Orientation
   Online orientation for electronic system, if available
   Paper based system explanation/workflow

  Medical Director Briefing
   Job specific requirements:
        Pre-op clinic
        Code coverage
        Procedures
        “Special” admissions for hospitalist program
        Rapid Response Team
   Key medical staff relationships
   Case management interface, if appropriate
   Patient Handoff Process

  Tags: hospital, hospitalist, locum tenens orientation
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• Four Common Myths Surrounding Locum Tenens

  September 9th, 2009

  Every once in a while, I have to remind myself that the concept of locum tenens is still foreign to some physicians and hiring institutions.

  Luckily, there are many resources that help explain the basics of locum tenens work, including this recent article featured on the career center at the NEJM.  In the article, author Bonnie Darves addresses common myths surrounding locum tenens.  See for yourself whether you agree or disagree with these statements:

  Myth:  Locum opportunities are scarce or limited to undesirable locations. 

  Reality:  Assignments are available in most parts of the country–in rural, suburban, and urban locales, and in varied types of practice environments, notes Darves.

  Myth: The locum lifestyle suits most physician personality types.

  Reality:  According to Darves, locums practice may be “a poor fit for physicians who either require a great deal of direction or desire a consistent work structure.” Conversely, she writes that being personable and prepared to fit in are key attributes for locum tenens success.

  Myth:  Locum tenens attracts doctors with spotty work histories or competency issues.

  Reality: “This is far from the truth,” says the author. “Physicians who work locums must have a good practice record and documentable skills and are as thoroughly vetted by hiring agencies as their counterparts seeking permanent positions. In addition, surveys show that hiring facilities routinely rate locums’ skills as very good.”

  Myth: Locum tenens doctors won’t be accepted by full-time colleagues at the hiring facility.

  Reality:  This might have been an issue three decades ago, says Darves, but that rarely happens now. “For the most part, colleagues are often so desperate for help or so concerned about the impact of short staffing on patient care that they welcome locums physicians wholeheartedly. Ideally, the physician contemplating a several-month assignment will have had either on-site or extensive phone discussions with prospective physician colleagues.”

  At Locum Leaders, we can help you separate myth from reality and find a suitable match for your career and lifestyle goals.  Contact us today to assist you in your job search.

  Tags: job search, lifestyle, locum tenens
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• What Documentation Do I Need to Work Locum Tenens?

  August 7th, 2009

  The paperwork requirements will vary by job—depending on the state and the institution, but in general, there is a standard set of documents that you should maintain as a prerequisite for working as a locum tenens.  Your documentation should include:

  • Curriculum Vitae – (Month and Year format throughout with time gap explanations)
  • References (a minimum of three opinions), in the provider’s specialty area (preferred) who can attest to the provider’s clinical skills, rapport with patients and co-workers and professional past. References should be able to attest that they have worked with the provider within the last two years.
  • Medical School Diploma or Nursing and CRNA Program Diploma
  • Internship, Residency and Fellowship Certificates or CRNA Certificate
  • Verification of Board Certification or Board Eligibility Letter
  • Verification of All State Medical Licenses
  • ECFMG Certificate, if applicable
  • Verification of DEA
  • Verification of State Controlled Substance Permits
  • Current CMEs, if available
  • BLS, BCLS, ACLS, ATLS, PALS, if available
  • Previous Certificate of Insurance, if available
  • Case Logs, if available
  • Copies of immunization records and TB screening records (PPD and Chest X-Ray, if applicable)
  • Medicaid, Medicare, NPI and CAQH number, if available
  • Explanation of any malpractice claim regardless of whether the claim was dismissed, settled out of court, pending, or judgment

  It’s a good idea to have all of this documentation together in one place to speed access.  Some locum jobs are urgent opportunities, so your ability to provide this information quickly can impact whether or not you are a viable candidate for a role. 

  Having scans of this information for electronic transmission can offer more convenience and time savings.  Locum Leaders offers a secure, password-protected area where you can upload and maintain your documentation.  To assist you, our internal credentialing team works closely with you and the client healthcare facility.

  Tags: documentation, licenses, locum credentialing, references
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | 1 Comment »

• Understanding Malpractice Coverage for Locum Tenens

  July 1st, 2009

  A recent article in Medical Economics by Bryan Kern, JD, suggests that locum tenens doctors should better understand tail coverage. 

  I couldn’t agree more.

  As a provider, you should have assurances that you’re protected beyond your temporary assignment, even if your locum tenens firm changes their insurance carrier or goes out of business.

  Many locum tenens/staffing agencies offer claims-made coverage.  Locum Leaders offers occurrence coverage, which provides more comprehensive protection.

  Claims-made policies, according to Kern, “offer only temporary coverage, which expires unless it is either renewed or continued through the purchase of extended reporting coverage, a ‘tail.’”

  With occurrence malpractice insurance, the coverage trigger is whether the incident in question took place during the policy effective dates.  That means you don’t need to worry about tail coverage or insurance carrier changes or whether the staffing agency will maintain coverage for your prior activities into the indefinite future.

  If you decide to work with a staffing organization that only offers claims-made coverage, it is in your best interests to know the details of the tail coverage. Are the limits sufficient? Is the tail coverage shared by a large number of doctors? Will coverage cease before the statute of limitations expires?  These are all important questions to ask.

  Tags: insurance, locum tenens, malpractice, tail coverage
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• What to Ask When You Don’t Know What to Ask

  June 23rd, 2009

  A question I get asked with some regularity goes something like this:  “How does this whole locum tenens thing work?”

  Admittedly broad and open-ended, it’s usually someone’s way of saying, “I’m interested in locum tenens, but I’ve never done it and don’t know what to expect.”  It’s a conversation starter that often leads to a series of more specific questions about pay, travel, insurance, credentialing—you name it.

  The reality of my job as a recruiter is that I provide a lot of education to our potential candidates.  I try to help you understand whether locum tenens is a fit for your current or future situation, and then we’ll usually end up talking in greater detail about the specifics and logistics of a locum tenens assignment.

  Resources for Research
  If you’re just starting your research on locum tenens, let me recommend a few resources.  For starters, check our website and our Frequently Asked Questions page.  Other great web-based resources are NALTO, the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations, and LocumLife, a publication dedicated exclusively to locum tenens physicians.

  Another tip:  talk to someone who does locum tenens.  You may know a friend or someone at your current workplace and they can be a good resource for advice.

  The bottom line is, don’t worry if you don’t know the right questions to ask—just start asking.  I’m here to help, so call or email anytime and let’s get started!

  Tags: FAQ, locum tenens, recruiting
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• Can Locum Tenens Improve My Work-Life Balance?

  June 2nd, 2009

  As a recruiter, I often talk about locum tenens as a way to earn extra pay above and beyond a salaried position.  But for physicians who want to reduce their hours or have greater autonomy over their schedule, locum tenens is an equally viable option.

  A new American Medical Group Association report on physician retention highlights the challenges of striking a work-life balance.  The survey shows that many physicians leave a group practice to move closer to family or to simply reduce their workload. 

  The report adds that women 39 and under are significantly more likely to leave a medical practice than their male counterparts.

  In another recent survey of women in healthcare, only 9% of women rated themselves as “very satisfied” with their work-life balance.  Respondents reported that at least once each week they had to make choices between work and family.

  Becoming a locum tenens physician isn’t a cure-all for work-related stresses, but it does allow you to practice medicine without the worries of managing a practice or chasing reimbursement and other administrative hassles. In addition, consider these benefits:

  • Locum tenens gives you choice and flexibility, allowing you to decide when, where and how often you work.
  • Locum tenens jobs can be close to home or travel assignments. While some doctors associate locums work with relocation or travel, the reality is that many locum tenens providers only accept shifts in their immediate area.
  • Locum work can ease a career transition.  If you want to re-enter the workforce after an extended leave or if you are between full-time positions and don’t want to make a permanent commitment, locum tenens is a great option.

  As a critical care nurse, recruiter and parent, I appreciate the work-life choices that impact your career decisions.  If Locum Leaders can help with your unique situation, don’t hesitate to let us know.

  Tags: career, Locum Leaders, locum tenens, schedule, work-life balance
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• Should I consider locum tenens work?

  May 4th, 2009

  Physicians and CRNAs who choose locum tenens work are highly diverse–coming from all specialties and backgrounds.  Their motivations for choosing locum tenens work are equally diverse, but I find that our candidates generally fall into one of the following categories:

  New to the Workforce
  Many healthcare professionals make their first job a locum tenens job.  Some do so because they are reluctant to sign a long-term contract or make a career commitment immediately after residency.  Others may wish to travel or try jobs in different parts of the country to get exposure to regional lifestyles.

  Geography aside, a locum tenens job is also a way to ‘kick the tires’ on different types of practice settings.  New physicians can take short-term positions in small clinics or large corporate health environments as a way to see how their practice style meshes with varied healthcare delivery systems. 

  Career Changers
  Job changes in medicine are more common than ever and physicians and CRNAs often turn to locum tenens while in-between full-time positions. Unanticipated job loss, a move to a new state, or a return to the workforce after a sabbatical are common career change scenarios. Whatever the reason, a locum tenens assignment can help fill a temporary gap between jobs and help ease a career transition.

  Part-Timers
  Locum tenens positions are, by definition, part-time jobs.  However, they are often filled by physicians and CRNAs who are otherwise fully employed.  A common example in the industry is a physician who allots a few weeks of his or her vacation time to locum tenens work. Other full-time physicians may ‘moonlight’ as locum tenens, working during nights or weekends to earn extra income.

  Still other part-timers are retired or semi-retired.  Many locum tenens providers don’t want to work full-time, but like to keep a hand in medicine by taking call, working weekends or accepting periodic travel assignments.  Some parents may also find a more ‘family-friendly’ work schedule as a locum tenens.

  Full-Time Locums
  The last category is made up of physicians and CRNAs who work exclusively as locum tenens providers. These ‘full-time locums’ may work a single long-term assignment or may jump from job to job and state to state during the course of a year. Some enjoy the travel and practice diversity:  the flexibility of choosing when and where they work.  Others like the independence of working as a solo contractor, allowing them to care for patients without the business hassles of running a practice.

  Getting Started
  If you can see yourself in one of the categories above, then take the next step toward pursuing a locum tenens assignment.  Check out physician employment opportunities on general job boards, check our current job openings or drop me an email to discuss your interests and needs.

  Tags: career, CRNA, job, locum tenens, physician, specialty
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | No Comments »

• What should I include on my CV?

  April 20th, 2009

  This is a common question for locum tenens job seekers and the good news is that you needn’t worry too much about this part of your application—as long as you follow some basic guidelines.
  
  Start with the basics. Your CV should lead with your name, degree and any relevant credentials (e.g. Mary J. Smith, MD, FACP).  Put your contact information next, including your mailing address, day and evening phone numbers (usually a work and home/cell number), and email address.   Be thorough and current:  one of the quickest ways to miss out on a great opportunity is to leave off up-to-date contact information.
  
  Education and training come next. List your experiences chronologically starting with the most recent.   A typical CV might list in order, fellowship, residency, medical school, and college.  Put the complete name of the institution, location, dates attended and relevant degrees.

  After your education, list where you’ve worked next. Again, starting with the most recent practice experience, list these in chronological order giving the name of the facility, the location (address and contact phone/fax) and dates (month/yr) you were there.  Even if the position was short-term or a locum assignment, you should list it.  A CV that lists locum experience shows an understanding of the requirements for locum tenens work.

  Other important elements that should follow your practice experience include current information on state licenses, board and other certifications, BCLS, ACLS, ATLS, PALS, Medicare and NPI number, DEA, and any applicable state controlled substance numbers.  List other relevant skills, such as foreign language fluency, when they may be important for a recruiter to know about.   Finally, a list of research, publications, and presentations can be listed.  These may hold added importance when seeking work at an academic institution.

  Don’t get hung up on font or formatting styles, but neatness and readability are important and help make a good impression.  And remember, we’re here to help.  If you ever want feedback on your CV or sample CV templates for your use, we’re glad to assist.

  Tags: CV, jobs, Locum Leaders, locum tenens, recruiting
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter | 1 Comment »