Locums Lifestyle

They provide housing and travel, again this comes from the gross charge to the clinic not the net profit the locum agency makes. Finally, they report that they help with credentialing, which is also misleading.

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There help consists of passing along the credentialing paperwork for the doctor to fill out. Many hidden dangers for doctors… many clinics have signed contracts with locum tenen companies. For example, many healthcare systems are statewide or include multiple states. If you agree to have your CV sent to one small town clinic owned by a multiple state wide healthcare system, the agency will get a percentage or placement fee if you end up working at another site in another state at another time within the 24 months.

Even if you never agreed to that because the clinic already did — remember there are two contracts that the locum agency has — one with you, and one with the healthcare system. So what is a doctor to do? You can make a living and spend more time with your family, if you are comfortable with these agencies making that type of net profit on every hour you work — otherwise locum tenen work is not for you.

As a physician in the current system, you really do not have much of a choice. Unfortunately, it is possible to score a locum job, but extremely difficult for the following reason. I have found that many clinics and hospitals have outsourced their hiring to staffing agencies that are independent contractors. These staffing contractors lack the incentive to assist locum providers very difficult to even get in the front door. Thus, it is very difficult not impossible for a doctor to find locum positions without an agency. A job site where locum tenen needs can be anonymously posted by the clinic would change the current dynamic.

I understand your frustrations, Oncologist. I still made what I thought was good money in spite of the fees, and the couple times I negotiated my own deal, I was not in a position of strength and I actually made less than I did in other locums jobs. One was a working interview and the other was a spot where I wanted to be and contacted the facility asking if I could work there over the summer.

A model I really like is the one started by Lucidity Direct. They are relatively new, and most if not all of the currently posted jobs are for ER docs, but they are aiming to be something like the Uber or Airbnb for locums jobs. Both times I worked outside of an agency, I was in no position to negotiate and too trusting. Both places profited off me, but the working interview place really showed their true colors. Being shorted a few thousand dollars kept me from making a much more costly mistake of actually joining them long-term.

Interesting point about being shorted. Is there another way which involves less time? You could ask to talk to a physician who has left the facility. Also, if you know anyone currently working there, obviously that person could be a great resource.

Does an employer of a locums have the right to determine such things as whether or not the locums is entitled to a lunch break, or if the locums must follow a strict schedule and always be within 5 minutes of the home facility if an unexpected demand for a physician crops up? Just interested in the dividing line between a locums and a true employee. A 5-minute leash means staying in house, for which you should get paid even more. Just be sure you understand what the expectations are before signing on.

If you were a patient requiring an oncologist, would you seek out a permanent oncologist, or be ok with a locum doctor?

What are your thoughts? I would want a quality physician in that situation and any situation. I would not be thrilled if I was given a locums providing a week of vacation coverage if major decisions were being made in that week.

Locum Lifestyle Magazine

However, a long-term locum with a good record and references could do a wonderful job. We take care of our patients one episode at a time. I think I made a mistake doing locums for the first time this year. I was reeled in by a pretty good rate, free travel to a place I love visiting and the ability to keep doing surgery with minimal commitment. And the locums agency was desperate to get me signed on. Before I started I asked if the malpractice insurance covered tail.

Since I am obgyn, this is extremely important. But I realize they have bought me a claims made policy and now I am anxious because I do not know how to make them pay for my tail based on an email. Anyone ever have this issue? Any ideas how to fix it? Which means I am afraid I may have worked for free. I am an employee of CompHealth and have worked here for 22 years. In the beginning we were on an occurrence based policy but as the number of working physicians increased it became too difficult to underwrite each physician to be sure they were a good risk.

Pro: Locums gives you freedom.

We switched to a claims made policy in about The claims made policy makes it possible to guarantee coverage for every physician as long as they can be credentialed. The tail only becomes necessary if the policy should be discontinued or canceled for some reason. Our contract with our physicians guarantees that should it become necessary we will provide a tail. That is one of the reasons it is wise to work with a locums agency that is financially stable. An agency may tell you they will provide a tail but if a huge malpractice suit wipes them out you may be left holding the bag. Your email address will not be published.

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• The Yellow Hummer.
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• The Constitution of Interests: Beyond the Politics of Rights.
• Out Of Bounds (Black Lace).
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• 4 Tips for Managing the Locum Tenens Lifestyle.
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Pros and Cons of Locum Tenens Work

August 31, at April 13, at Practicing locum tenens affords autonomy and opportunities for adventure to healthcare professionals who want more control over their careers and personal lives. For a truly rewarding and successful locum tenens experience, providers who are interested in being independent contractors should become proficient at swiftly adapting to new environments, take measures to avoid stress, and endeavor to maintain a healthy work-life balance. To help, here are several suggestions for managing the locum tenens lifestyle.

If you would like to make the most of practicing locum tenens, visit Medicus Healthcare Solutions , and call Choose locations and practice settings that complement your goals. Perhaps you would like to sample different areas to find a permanent placement opportunity and put down roots. Or maybe you want to earn extra money to pay down loans or pad your nest egg. To get the greatest satisfaction, establish what you want and make decisions that will support your wishes. Of course, you should consider other factors, too, such as variances in staffing levels, facility size, and patient populations.

Locum tenens staffing firms and client facilities want the experience to be beneficial for all parties.