Mike Beckman  |  Director of Recruiting
(877) 456-2867 x4232  |  mbeckman@deltalocums.com 

There are approximately 50 locum tenens companies that are a members of NALTO, the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations.  NALTO is a great resource to assist you in choosing a locums company to work with, but there are a few other things to keep in mind as well. 

Physicians doing locums full time should select 2-3 firms to work with and submit applications to each.  Most reputable firms will require that you complete an application before they will present you to a client to ensure that you will meet their guidelines for malpractice coverage.  Keep in mind that many hospitals and clinics also use multiple locums firms to fill their coverage needs.  As a result, you may be contacted by several firms about the same position.  Be sure to keep track of where you are being presented and which locums firm presented you to that position.  The locum firm will need to tell you the client name, city, state and a general job description before you allow them to present you.  Be cautious and refuse to be presented if the firm is reluctant to give out this information.  Locums firms are not allowed to present your CV to the client without your consent. 

It is also a good idea to discuss the pay for the position up-front as well.  As a locum physician, you are an independent contractor and have a say in how much you charge for your services.  Should a dispute between agencies arise in which you did not give one of them consent to present your CV you should contact NALTO for assistance in resolving the issue. 

[ NALTO.org ]

Whitney Muir |  Risk Management Manager
(877) 456-2867 x4228   | wmuir@deltalocums.com

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Stephen Fish  |  Director of Marketing 
(877) 456-2867 x4208  |  sfish@deltalocums.com

Even during this physician shortage, there are still facilities who are willing to pay the cost for locums, but are unwilling to pay for the travel expenses.  “Find someone local,” they say, “or we can’t afford it.”   Yet once a facility has turned to a locums company for coverage, they have usually already exhausted the local resources, correct?

Locum tenens isn’t cheap, I realize this.  However, it sure beats the alternative—a closed practice, or your patient draw area expanding to another facility.   The costs must be measured: how much a day will it cost not to have coverage in your practice?  How much will it affect your facility when all your patients go to the facility across town because no one at your facility is available?  What happens if you reopen and find out that some of the patients you used to see are willing to drive 15 minutes farther because of the quality of care they received across town?   

I do understand that it may not make sense for some facilities, like an outpatient primary care clinic, to use locums.  But why would an inpatient facility even consider not using locums because of the associated travel expenses?  A willingness to pay for travel and secure locums coverage will secure your patient base and even make your facility a profit in the long run.

I welcome your perspective!  Please discuss using the comments below.