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

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.

The HealthCare Blog > Tech.  Long focused on “big” healthcare system issues, this granddaddy of healthcare blogs also devotes a lot of space to technology and its practical use.  Featuring guest posts from leading edge thinkers, EMRs and social media are popular current topics. http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/tech/

Medgadget.  A self-described “independent journal of the latest medical gadgets, technologies and discoveries.”   Medgadget covers leading edge medical technology—often big ticket devices—but rounds its coverage nicely with reviews of everything from medical iPhone apps to health-related video games.  http://www.medgadget.com

Mobile Health Computing by Dr. Joseph Kim.  Voluminous, short daily posts on mobile computer solutions for the physician office.  Video clips and vendor news updates on PC tablets and a separate blog dedicated to smartphones.  http://www.mobilehealthcomputing.com/

Neil Versel’s Healthcare IT blog.  Neil covers healthcare IT as a journalist for several online and print outlets and shares news and observations on industry trends on his personal blog.   http://clinicalit.blogspot.com/

EfficientMD.  Subtitled “lifehacks for healthcare,” this blog from a practicing nephrologist offers practical, quick tips aimed at increasing physician productivity.  Posts vary from efficiency tips for doctors on call to the benefits of electronic stethoscopes.  http://efficientmd.blogspot.com/

But outside of retirement planning, a more fundamental question that many individuals and couples ask is:  do I/we need a financial planner?   I’ll try to briefly answer that below.

What is Financial Planning?
Simply stated, it’s the process of meeting your life goals through the proper management of your finances. Life goals can include buying a home, saving for your child’s education or planning for retirement.

A financial planner should be able to guide you through an evaluation process that will help you take a “big picture” look at where you are financially. The process involves gathering relevant financial information, setting life goals, examining your current financial status and coming up with a strategy or plan for how you can meet your goals given your current situation and future plans.

To answer the original question, I think you would benefit from professional financing planning if:

• You need expertise you don’t possess in certain areas of your finances. For example, a planner can help you evaluate the level of risk in your investment portfolio or adjust your retirement plan due to changing family circumstances.
• You want to get a professional opinion about the financial plan you developed for yourself.
• You don’t feel you have the time to spare to do your own financial planning.  This is a common scenario for busy physicians and locum tenens.
• You have an immediate need or unexpected life event such as an inheritance or a major illness.
• You feel that a professional adviser could help you improve on how you are currently managing your finances.
• You know that you need to improve your current financial situation but don’t know where to start.

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.