One sure sign of spring is the number of physician conferences that are happening over the next few months. Locum Leaders be at many of them, which has me thinking about reasons you should attend professional events as a locum tenens provider. Here are five that come to mind:
Enhance your education. Your skills are what keep you marketable as a physician job seeker and locum tenens. If you can get most or all of your CME out of the way for the year at a single conference, then that’s a pretty good use of your time. You might even learn a thing or two.
Catch up on health care reform. Most of the major medical conferences have sessions on health care reform. These are great opportunities to dig into the specifics of the recently passed federal healthcare legislation and learn more about what organized medicine is doing to protect your interests.
Network with hiring managers. The exhibit halls at medical conferences are typically filled with recruiters of all types. Those representing agencies, like ours, as well as direct hiring managers from hospitals and clinics are on hand to learn more about you. It’s a great way to get your name out in a short amount of time, and to meet recruiters face-to-face to discuss your ideal work scenario.
Take a breather. An interesting or new locale is always a good reason to take in a medical conference. Use the event as an excuse to squeeze in a little sightseeing or some well deserved down time. The old adage about “all work and no play” is true for doctors, too. Even a brief break from patient care can reinvigorate you and perhaps provide a new perspective on physician life.
Take a write-off. As a locum tenens, your conference expenses may be tax deductable (check with your tax professional).
Can you think of other reasons? If so, perhaps we’ll see you soon at an upcoming conference.
