Justin Roark  |  Recruiting Consultant
(877) 456-2867 x4269  |  jroark@deltalocums.com  

The average resident receives approximately fifty phone calls a day from permanent placement recruiters wanting to share the opportunities they are representing.  Entering into a market where there is a shortage of physicians can present its own challenges in that there are many options and avenues for you to entertain.  As permanent placement post residency may seem like an obvious choice to many of you, others have investigated Locum Tenens.  Instead of asking yourself “why locum tenens,” you should ask “WHY NOT?”  With employers rolling out the red carpet during permanent interviews, it may be difficult to obtain a realistic grasp on what the practice really has to offer and what success may be maintained over time.  With your first permanent practice setting the pace for your career it is important to make the right decisions the first time and truly set yourself up for success.  Working as a locum tenens physician offers numerous benefits for physicians coming out of training. 

1. For one, it allows the physician to work in different medical environments so they can decipher first hand which is a better long term fit.  Also, practicing is different structured groups and hospitals through locum tenens allows you to better analyze the opportunities you are interviewing from firsthand experience.  An example of this would be a Hospitalist going to work two different locums assignments, one where they practice in a large structured group with multiple day hospitalist  and where they are they are solo.  This would allow the physician to see the benefits and disadvantages first hand along with learning how paperwork, charts, and protocol may greatly differ between facilities. 
2. Physicians working locum tenens first will allow them the opportunity to go and work in the area and community before committing full time.  This will give you the chance to see if the community will ultimately meet the needs of you and your family as well as give you an idea of the viability of practices in the area.
3. As it is built into most contracts for a locum tenens physician to move into a permanent position, the locum tenens assignments could be viewed as a working interview.
4. For many specialties and subspecialties, 2008 data shows that the locum tenens providers are maintaining higher income levels.  Locum tenens can be utilized on weekends, for call coverage only or fulltime.  Through locums you can get higher rates when there is a stronger need and be compensated overtime, service on call, and holiday rates.
5. An often unconsidered benefit to working locum tenens is the networking that occurs with other physicians while on assignment.  This could be especially beneficial if you are only targeting a specific geographic area.  The contacts you acquire may be insightful to permanent opportunities in the area and can provide firsthand feedback. 
6. One of the most important benefits is that locum tenens provides autonomy for the physician.  You can make your own schedule and go into assignments with exact expectations.  Why deal with politics and worry about production models to maintain your income goals.

Take the time to find the right practice for you as you have just invested numerous years in education for this career.  Choosing the wrong practice may cause you to lose skills and will make you less marketable as a practitioner the next time you are interviewing.  Locum Tenens is a great starting place to ensure you are making the correct decisions in the long run.  The benefits are obvious but not for everyone.  Please consider all options before signing the dotted line.