Justin
Roark | Recruiting Consultant
(877) 456-2867 x4269
Through my experience in physician
recruiting, I have quickly learned the headaches associated with physicians
being employed by large groups and hospital systems. I especially
identify the difficulties experienced by physicians practicing hospitalist and emergency
medicine.
The growing trend is that the permanent or employed physicians
are carrying the burden of the facility not being fully staffed. The
physicians who are in permanent contracts are seeing higher patients volumes
and working more shifts than preferred due to the insufficient staffing;
however, are not receiving higher compensation. In these situations
I truly feel the light at the end of the tunnel comes from the locum tenens
alternative.
Working as a locums physician is beneficial in that the physicians
can make their own schedule, receive holiday rates, over time, and have no
contractual obligations to the facility directly when they are
understaffed. There is no longer the pressure from the group or hospital
to see more patients or work those extra shifts because they are
understaffed. Locums allows for a third party to be in place that
alleviates politics and allows for better communication between parties
involved. Financially, the physicians are coming out ahead and
ensuring quality of practice and life.
I would encourage all hospitalist
and emergency medicine physicians to incorporate locums into their
career. With the instability in emergency medicine and constant
transition in staffing contacts with hospitals, locum tenens is a great tool to
ensure continual work and may improve a physician’s quality of practice and
life. Getting started and registered through Delta Locums is not
difficult and can be utilized throughout your career. Now is the
time to ask yourself about your personal job stability, income and quality of
practice. If it is not where you believe it should be than get a head
start with locums and customize it to your lifestyle.