FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is locum tenens?
A. The term Locum Tenens is Latin for “holding one’s place”. In the healthcare context, this term refers to temporary nurse practitioner and temporary doctor staffing and recruiting.
Barton Associates is a leading national locum tenens staffing company that recruits and assigns locum tenens physicians and NPs at healthcare facilities and medical practices across the country in a wide variety of practice areas.
Learn more about locum tenens staffing.
Q. Why do healthcare facilities and practices use locum tenens physicians and nurse practitioners?
A. Our clients leverage locum tenens doctors and nurse practitioners to solve for a variety of staffing challenges, including those involving:
• Urgent needs due to unexpected absences
• Vacation or illness coverage
• Leaves of absence
• Starting a new service, program or facility
• Sudden or cyclical spikes in patient volume
• Consistent, long term nurse practitioner and physician staffing shortages
Learn more about the advantages of locum tenens staffing.
Q. What are the advantages of using a locum tenens nurse practitioner or physician through Barton Associates?
A. Locum tenens staffing through Barton Associates is a smart, fast, easy and economical way to manage physician and nurse practitioner staffing challenges:
• Barton Associates provides high-quality, pre-screened physicians and nurse practitioners
• Our proactive locum tenens staffing model allows us to quickly address urgent staffing needs
• We are committed to providing the fast turn-around times needed to manage tough staffing challenges
• ‘A’ rated malpractice insurance is provided for each locum on assignment through Barton Associates, at no additional charge
• Using a locum through Barton Associates gives you the ability to fill a position without committing to a full-time employee (and related costs, such as benefits, payroll taxes and medical malpractice insurance)
• Our experienced credentialing team serves as the liaison between our locum and your credentialing department—saving you time and energy
Learn More about the Barton Difference for Facilities & Practices.
Q. Where does Barton Associates place locum tenens physicians?
A. Barton Associates is a leading national locum tenens staffing agency. With multiple offices and a staff of over 115 locum tenens staffing and recruiting industry professionals, we’re able to assign locum doctors and NPs throughout the United States in many medical specialties.
Q. What is the typical duration of a locum tenens assignment?
A. There really is no “typical” locum tenens assignment. We’ve helped healthcare facilities and practices in need of coverage ranging from just a few shifts to a year or more. Our locum doctors and NPs are flexible, available, and ready to help you no matter what type of staffing challenge you’re dealing with.
Q. What types of medical facilities and practices does Barton Associates work with?
A. Barton Associates has the resources and scale needed to help facilities and practices with coverage needs in a wide variety practice areas—including anesthesiology, critical care, emergency medicine/ER, family practice, geriatrics, hospitalist, internal medicine, pediatrics, primary care, radiology, surgery, and many more.
Learn more about our locum tenens staffing medical specialties.
Q. How do locum tenens placements through Barton Associates work?
A. We’ve spent years refining our process to make using a locum tenens physician or nurse practitioner as fast, easy, and efficient as possible. When you have a need, we carefully select and submit pre-screened locum physicians and nurse practitioners that fit your unique situation, saving you time and energy. We coordinate the interview process for you, assign an experienced credentialing expert to serve as the liaison between your credentialing department and our locum, and handle any travel-related arrangements needed to make sure we’re ready to go on day one. The only thing we need you to do is tell us what you’re looking for and select your preferred locum tenens physician or NP—it’s that easy.
Learn more about our locum tenens staffing process.
Q. Does Barton Associates provide support during the credentialing process?
A. Yes. Our experienced credentialing team serves as a direct liaison between your credentialing team and our locum. We’ll do everything possible to make your credentialing process seamless and stress-free for your team.
Learn more about our locum tenens credentialing support.
Q. Does Barton Associates offer permanent placement services?
A. No. Barton Associates focuses exclusively on locum tenens staffing and recruiting.
Q. How much does Barton Associates charge for locum tenens physicians and nurse practitioners?
A. The cost of coverage from a Barton Associates locum tenens nurse practitioner or physician varies depending on a variety of factors, including medical specialty and location.
While our locum physician or nurse practitioner is on assignment, you’ll only pay Barton Associates an agreed upon amount. Unlike hiring a permanent employee, there are no costs associated with things like medical benefits, retirement plans, payroll taxes, or medical malpractice insurance.
Locum tenens staffing through Barton Associates is a cost effective way to maintain adequate patient coverage and maximize revenue generation.
Q. Is medical malpractice insurance provided by Barton Associates?
A. Yes. Barton Associates provides ‘A’ rated medical malpractice insurance for all of its locum tenens physicians and nurse practitioners on assignment, at no additional charge. Barton is also able to enroll physicians and nurse practitioners in patient compensation funds if required by your state.
Learn more about our locum tenens medical malpractice coverage.