By: Jacob Maslow
Becoming a locum tenens provider can bring you several benefits. It gives you the freedom to choose your schedule and work environment and create the work-life balance you’re looking for. It can also allow you to travel and try out different locations and medical facilities before you choose one to commit to. Locum tenens work often comes with competitive salaries and benefits as well. On top of all that, you’ll be filling a significant need for patients, your fellow doctors, and medical facilities across the country.
That being said, being a locum tenens provider can also come with a few challenges. Finding assignments that meet your criteria is certainly one of them. Being sure you’re on par with different facilities’ licensing and credentialing requirements is another. A medical staffing agency can help you overcome those problems and many others. Of course, finding the right agency to work with will make a major difference here. Choose an agency with the following qualities to make the most of all the benefits of locum tenens work.
A Vast Range of Assignments
For one, look for an agency that offers a vast range of assignments to choose from. Many locum tenens providers are tempted to sign up with multiple agencies to give themselves more possibilities. Unfortunately, managing partnerships with multiple agencies can be chaotic and stressful. If you choose an agency that has an extensive network of healthcare facilities and plenty of prospects to choose from in its own right, you won’t need to work with a variety of agencies to find assignments that appeal to you.
Help With Credentialing
As mentioned, keeping up with credentialing is one of the main challenges locum tenens providers face. Not all medical facilities’ requirements are the same, and the requirements can vary greatly from one state to another. As such, finding a staffing agency that helps with credentialing is recommended. It’ll take a significant burden off of your shoulders and improve your chances of being fully qualified for the assignments you’re interested in. It’ll help ensure you’re ready to accept those assignments when medical facilities need you as well.
Contract Negotiations
Another quality to look for in a staffing agency is a willingness to help with contract negotiations. This can be a lengthy and stressful process if you’re left to handle it on your own. On the other hand, if your staffing agency handles it for you, it’ll make matters much easier and greatly improve your results. They’ll act on your behalf to ensure you truly get competitive pay, benefits, and other incentives.
Assistance With Travel and Housing Arrangements
Logistics is yet another hurdle locum tenens providers often face. Traveling to an assignment can be costly. From there, finding housing, covering moving expenses, setting up utilities, and getting your family settled in if they travel with you can also be complicated. Finding a medical staffing agency that helps with all those aspects and other logistical factors can make moving from one assignment to another simpler, more cost-effective, and more worthwhile.
Choosing the Right Locum Tenens Staffing Agency to Work With
Being a locum tenens provider comes with numerous benefits, but you’ll also face certain challenges along the way. Working with a staffing agency can mitigate the challenges while helping you maximize the advantages as long as you choose the right one. Not all agencies are the same, though. Look for one that offers the qualities and services listed here to ensure you get the fullest benefit from life as a locum tenens provider.
Published by: Liz SD.
