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

With this year’s residents and fellows approaching completion of training, I find it pertinent to bring up the advantages in completing Locum Tenens assignments in search of the right permanent opportunity or in an effort to identify one’s ideal work environment.  There will soon be many opportunities and contracts in front of you so it’s important to make the right decisions the first time around.  Discussed below are several points of interest in which some thought should be invested.

Physicians may start practicing various locum tenens assignment during their third year of residency, if approved by their director.  There are many benefits to practicing locums, but the obvious first benefit would be that of supplementing one’s income.  Working a few locum assignments can provide clarity as to what patient load and size of facility that you are really comfortable with.  As a hospitalist or emergency medicine physician there is a substantial difference in working solo coverage at a level four facility as opposed to triple coverage at a level one trauma center.   Working a few assignments at different level facilities will give you firsthand experience on which is better suited for your comfort level and skill set.

Every Locum Tenens contract contains the ability to allow a provider to go from a locum to permanent position.  From my experience this happens quite frequently and is extremely beneficial in that the physician has a chance know the staff, what job and financial expectations are realistic, and how they not only like the facility but also the community.  There is a demand for health care providers right now and sorting through the realities of contacts, production bonuses and professional duties can be deceiving and difficult.  The last thing you would want to do is move you and your family to a new location, purchase a home and settle in to find that the expectations set out in the interview where not viable.  All of these items are eliminated when you have already practiced there as a locum and have true insight into the need and responsibilities of the position. 

Another often unseen benefit to practicing locum tenens assignment is the fact that you are able to network with other physicians and obtain references from larger health systems.  Networking is a strong tool that comes in handy when interviewing in the same region or trying to get into fellowship programs.  Let’s face it, the medical community is often well connected and you never know who you will encounter on your assignment that may be on an admissions board.  Also, if a physician accepts a locum’s assignment within a large health care system, they can obtain a good reference and that might aide in obtaining a position at a different more desirable location within that system. 

In summation Locum Tenens is a phrase that many of you have heard now throughout training or from colleagues.   Now is the time to consider how you can use Locum Tenens to your benefit and success.  Since the assignments can be from weekend to fulltime, how could you and your family benefit?  The answer could be financial, but it also can be used as a tool to open many other doors to new location, practices, and programs.  Think outside of the box and set yourself up for success!