Locum Link

• Five Resolutions for Your Locum Tenens Career

  January 6th, 2012

  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.

  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.

  Tags: career, CV, locum tenens, MD recruitment
  Posted in Ask The Recruiter

• 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