Refresh 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.

In fact, many physician locums are full-time employees elsewhere, but take on occasional shifts to fill gaps in their schedule.

We recently confirmed this pattern with a survey of the nation’s hospitalists. The survey, conducted for Locum Leaders by Today’s Hospitalist magazine, found that 10% of all Hospitalists worked as locum tenens in the past 12 months. Of those Hospitalist locum tenens, 82% said they were employed full-time and also working as a locum. 11% said they were self-employed—working exclusively as a locum tenens hospitalist, while 7% said they were employed part-time and also working locum tenens assignments.

It is common for locum tenens physicians to be drawn from the ranks of salaried doctors. But employed hospitalists, even more than other specialists, may be more inclined to take on locum work, according to Robert Harrington, MD, SFHM, Chief Medical Officer of Locum Leaders.

“Hospital Medicine shift patterns are the biggest reason,” said Dr. Harrington. “Since most hospitalist programs rely on a 7-on, 7-off schedule, you end up with a large population of doctors who have a lot of time-off. They want to use that time productively and so they come to agencies, like Locum Leaders, for additional work.”

If you are a full-time or part-time physician and wish to explore locum tenens options, contact our recruiters today.

But any medical career—whether working full-time or part-time—can put be stressful. Just because you take a locum job, doesn’t mean you’ll immediately achieve a healthy balance between your professional and personal responsibilities. It takes some effort on your part. Here are some ways to ensure that your locum life doesn’t overwhelm your family life.

Work with your recruiter. Let them know about your family and your personal goals and interests. They can help you find an assignment that allows for flexibility to work around these things.  And the more they know, the better they’ll be able to find an assignment that fits your lifestyle.

Planning and lists are your secret weapons. Keep your calendar handy so you’re always in the know about family events and milestones.  You can create a shared calendar online using sites like Google. Have your family go in and update it with activities and events, so you always have the latest schedule handy. Also, make a list of your priorities and goals. This helps you to focus on what you need and want to get done, so you can get to spending time with your family quicker.

Now that you’ve set your priorities, don’t be afraid to say no. For most people, work and family come first. So if you’re being asked to do something that would interfere with either, it’s ok to politely decline.

When it comes to family time, unplug. Give them your full attention. Though it might be hard to step away from your Blackberry for a few hours, spending quality time with your kids and spouse will make it worth the sacrifice.

There’s no secret formula when it comes to achieving the ultimate balance.  Whatever your perfect mix of family, friends, work and hobbies makes you feel fulfilled is what’s right for you.

Follow Locum Leaders on Facebook and Twitter.

Share a complete, accurate employment history. Your recruiter needs all relevant information about past work, including disclosure of malpractice history, known credentialing issues, or gaps in employment. Employers seek reasonable explanations for past work issues. If you have concerns, a good recruiter will help you portray your history in a factual, but positive way. Trying to hide work-related issues or employment discrepancies, especially in the age of internet databases, usually leads to trouble—and is a good way to burn a bridge.

Be forthcoming about assignment preferences.  Are you looking for work in a certain geographic area? Do you have specific pay  or shift requirements? Are there jobs and institutions you’d like to avoid? Letting your recruiter know this kind of information upfront is a real time saver and can help ensure that you’re quickly matched with opportunities that best fit your needs.

Track and disclose your recruitment activity. Recruiters understand that doctors may work with several agencies. If you’ve been submitted for a job by an agency, don’t let other agencies submit you for the same assignment. Multiple submissions from different agencies are frustrating for employers as well as the recruiters involved. Keeping a log of where and when you have been submitted—and sharing that information, upon request, with a recruiter is greatly appreciated.

Stay in touch. Once you’re placed, be sure to keep in touch with your recruiter and provide updates on your experience, particularly if you’re having issues. Use your agency as an ally to help get things back on track. Over the long-term, periodic check-ins with your recruiter can be beneficial, especially if you need to update information in your profile or if you are looking for different types of opportunities.  

Expect honesty and outstanding service from your recruiter. Relationships are a two way street. If you’re being professional and helpful to your recruiter, you should expect the same. If you have an issue that you feel wasn’t dealt with appropriately by a recruiter, let them know or contact his or her boss.

If you stick with these principles, you’re sure to establish a long, successful relationship with your locum tenens recruiter.

To speak to a Locum Leaders recruiter, call 877-562-8656.

Follow Locum Leaders on Twitter (@Locumleaders) and Facebook!

For many, packing light can be a challenge. Deciding on the essentials can become an arduous task and can leave you with a headache and a heavy suitcase. In this situation, preparation is your best defense against poorly packed luggage.

When you’re deciding what to put in your bag, think about essentials. Clothing in neutral colors can easily be jazzed up with easy-to-pack accessories. Rolling clothing is also a tried and true method for space-saving and wrinkle reducing.  Check on the weather before you arrive to know what wardrobe you’ll need. Websites like the Weather Channel and AccuWeather will give you current temperatures, plus the average for the time period.

Beware of bulky items, such as shoes. These take up a lot of space and can be reduced to the essentials. A pair of dress shoes, sneakers and a casual pair, which can be worn to the airport or along your travels. If you’re an avid reader, eliminate heavy book packing with an eReader, such as the Kindle or the Nook.  Better still, a Kindle or iBook app on your iPad or smart phone can eliminate the eReader.

There are, of course, no shortages for online tools and applications that help you create the ultimate packing lists. Some of the most popular are:

Universal Packing List Creator: This handy web tool allows you to input details like the duration of your trip, temperatures, transportation and accommodations, and will spit out a list of pre-trip tasks and suitcase essentials.

Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush: This site requires free account registration, but is fully customizable. It allows you to input your destination, transportation and travel dates. It then provides you with average temperatures, travel advisories, a currency converter and several checklists.

The iPhone and iPad have certainly cornered the market on useful travel applications. Some of the best reviewed are:

Packing +To Do ($.99 for iPhone): This app helps you create a packing list of your own, or start with one of their sample lists. It also gives you a list of predeparture to-do’s and allows you to share it all on Facebook and Twitter.

Pack & Go ($.99 for iPhone): This app allows you to create and edit lists, email them to family and friends and set alerts and reminders on your phone.

Packing Pro ($2.99 for iPad): This has been described as a “personal assistant for packing.” You’re in control with this app that lets you customize fonts, color and layout. You can create custom lists and to-do’s or use their templates. It’s the ultimate packing tool.

Remember, preparation is key to packing light and tight. If you have a well thought-out list, you’ll be sure to pack just what you need and not forget the essentials. Safe travels!

Follow Locum Leaders on Facebook and Twitter (@Locumleaders.)

Best among U.S. carriers:  Southwest Airlines Co., which had award seats available for 99.3% of the queries made, and jetBlue Airways, which offered seats 79.3% of the time. Southwest and jetBlue both use points instead of miles, and IdeaWorks Co., the consulting firm that conducted the study, searched for award seats available at 25,000 points, the equivalent to standard awards at other airlines.

Worst among U.S. carriers: US Airways Group Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc., which didn’t have seats available in about three out of every four requests. Still, both carriers showed large improvement over the past year, more than doubling their availability rates.

The IdeaWorks survey also pointed to the toughest city to get into and out of using frequent-flier miles: San Francisco. The city is a popular vacation spot year-round, so demand remains high.

Plan ahead: Getting to know the nitty gritty about your new assignment before you start can help you get off on the right foot. Knowing where you’re going, how to get there and who to meet on your first day will help to ease your anxiety. Your recruiter can provide you with a wealth of information, so don’t be afraid to ask, but they can also connect you with a point person at your new job. Having a contact right away is valuable so you not only have an immediate connection, but you also have a resource for more detailed questions that your recruiter might not be able to answer. 

Get acquainted: Once you’ve started your new gig, start figuring out your way around. Some places offer a formal orientation, complete with a tour. However, sometimes the best way to familiarize yourself is to get lost a few times and find your way back. In addition to getting to know your physical surroundings, it’s also a good idea to get to know the institution’s capabilities.  Do they treat trauma patients? How about open heart surgery? This is useful information, especially if you’re a hospitalist. In the process, you’ll also want to find out more about the types of major systems that are utilized for billing and ordering. Has EMR and/or CPOE been instituted? What are the procedures for patient handoffs? These are great things to ask your contact. 

Home sweet home: Now that you’ve begun to settle into your new assignment, it’s time to start getting settled into your home outside of work. Use social networking to connect with friends and former colleagues that may live in the area. Facebook and LinkedIn are great for finding out who you may know in the area. In the meantime, you’ll want to get familiar with the city. First and foremost, you’ll want to figure out the best way to get around town. Using your GPS and online tools such as Google Maps, can help you find the best routes, avoid highways and steer clear of tolls. If the area is brand new to you, sites such as Yelp provide helpful reviews on restaurants, bars, salons, even gyms. The reviews are written from real customers with real experiences, so you can avoid some terrible places and find some hidden gems at the same time. 

Another great website is Citysearch, which gives you the lowdown on area shopping, nightlife, festivals and more. If you’re a runner or a biker looking for a route, head over to Map My Run, a website that will help you find the best route in your area and even show you the routes other runners are taking. Also, check out Active.com, which helps you find races and other activities in your area.

And don’t forget to report back to your recruiter with questions and updates during your assignment. Letting them know what you like and don’t like let’s them build their knowledge base about the institution and helps them understand more about your personal job preferences. 

Find Locum Leaders on Facebook and Twitter (@Locumleaders.)

Some have a rekindled desire to practice. Others need to supplement a depleted nest egg. Regardless of the reasons, our recruiters are seeing an uptick in older candidates. Indeed, a recent survey of locum tenens physicians found that most (68%) had over two decades of practice experience—suggesting that doctors may view locum tenens more favorably in mid- or late-career.

Securing a locum tenens position is beneficial to retired physicians for a number of reasons:

• As a solo contractor you don’t have the stress of running a practice. There are no worries about staff salaries, rent or attracting new patients.
• Locum tenens jobs allow you to practice medicine without the administrative hassles and bureaucracy associated with a full-time position.  
• You have greater flexibility in choosing your work hours and location. You can spend winters in warm climates and summers in cooler regions if that’s your preference.
• Malpractice costs are covered.  Locum Leaders pays for occurrence malpractice insurance, which is ‘forever’ coverage so there are no worries about tail.

As inviting as this may sound, there are some challenges to consider. Depending on how long you’ve been retired, you might be a need to catch up on Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits or re-educate yourself on new technologies.  You may also have to update state licenses and secure recent work references, standard requirements for re-entering the job market.

Still, it’s clear that many retiring doctors are intrigued by locum tenens as an alternative to hanging up the stethoscope for good.  If you’re interested in learning more, talk to one of our recruiters today.

Talking on the phone sounds easy, right? But a phone interview can be challenging because you’re not face-to-face and aren’t able to gauge the nonverbal cues of the interviewer, such as body language and facial expressions.

And if you think this is “just a locum interview,” think again. You could be talking with someone who may be in a position to extend you a permanent offer or a facility that could relocate you for your dream job. That’s all the more reason to take the interview seriously and make a good first impression.

So how do you nail the phone interview and land the job? Here are a few tips.

Prep with your Recruiter. Before you talk to the hiring hospital, your recruiter can give you important information about the facility, the census, call expectations, dates and shifts, pay rate and other things you’ll want to know about the job. Getting this type of baseline information in advance of your interview can free you up to talk about other aspects of the job and your career with the hiring manager. 

Do your Homework. In addition to your prep with your recruiter, do your own research on the facility and print out their information for your reference during the interview. Know who is going to interview you and what their role is at the hiring facility. Write down any questions you may have in advance about EMRs or rotation schedules or workplace culture, so you don’t forget to ask about things important to you. 

Set the Stage. Just before starting your call, find a quiet space without distractions (like barking dogs or crying children). If possible, make the call on a landline. But if you must use your mobile phone, then be sure you’re in an area with good cell phone reception. Have a pen and paper with you to take notes, and keep a printed copy of your CV handy for reference.

Perk up! Go into your interview with an upbeat attitude. Though it may feel silly, smile while you’re speaking; it really comes across in your voice. Stay positive in your answers as well by avoiding negative comments about previous employers or working situations. Far better to tell a positive anecdote about work and patient care that shows your enthusiasm for being a doctor and your ability to be a team player.

Stay on Point. Answer questions directly without lapsing into long, drawn out stories or sharing too much personal information. Because it’s a phone interview, you might even keep your eye on a watch or clock to help keep your answers concise. Although you’re the interviewee, it’s okay to ask a few questions of your own. That shows interest and engagement. But keep your questions fair, and avoid being intentionally provocative.

Follow-Up. A brief, well-written thank you email sent in a timely manner can go a long way in the interview process. It’s another way to show interest and thoroughness.

Not tablet-ready? No problem. Most medical apps were created specifically for smartphones and are developed for use across multiple platforms. (A 2010 study by the Spyglass Consulting Group revealed that 94 percent of physicians are now using smartphones in their professional lives.)

Our round-up of six ‘must have’ medical apps highlights some of the most popular downloads for physicians. Used to streamline productivity and enhance patient safety, these apps can be used at point of care or during downtime on the road or in the office:

Epocrates: This app is among the most popular in the medical community. The free version (EpocratesRx) boasts a handy pill identifier, list of drug information and interactions and a medical calculator. For $199, you can purchase the deluxe version and you’ll have access to helpful databases, coding guidelines, CPT references and a medical dictionary. Available for Android, Blackberry, Palm OS, Windows Mobile OS, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.  http://www.epocrates.com/products/

Quest Diagnostic’s Care 360 Mobile App: This is another free app that allows you to manage your caseload by logging into a virtual desktop. You can view and take action on lab results, write prescriptions and view charts, all while remaining HIPAA compliant. Available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/connect/convenient_mobile_access.html

ICD 9 Consult: When a cumbersome coding book isn’t available, this app is a great resource. For $29.99, it gives you access to ICD9 codes for billing unusual or complex conditions.  Available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icd9-consult-2011-free/id358845668?mt=8

5 Minute Clinical Consult: You can search over 900 conditions, treatments and follow-up protocol with this handy app. It’s a bit on the pricey side for $79.95, but it’s a great reference tool.  Available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/5-minute-clinical-consult/id301865751?mt=8

Medscape Mobile: This free app from online health giant, WebMD, has a little bit of everything. You’ll find drug information, a drug interaction checker, directories of contact information for physicians, hospitals and pharmacies, specialty specific news and even mobile CME. Available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. http://www.medscape.com/public/mobileapp

QuantiaMD: Among other things, the Quantia app allows you to view locum tenens training programs created by Locum Leaders CMO, Robert Harrington, MD. Other experts offer interactive presentations on a range of current topics in medicine. Participate with peers in clinical challenges and earn “Q” points redeemable for Amazon.com giftcards. Available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.  https://secure.quantiamd.com/home/mobilepromo