When choosing your next locum tenens position, there are a few factors you need to evaluate to see whether it is a good match. Generally, you and your recruiter can work around most or all of these issues, if a conflict arises. It is also best to give your recruiter plenty of notice if concessions need to be made by either side. Schedule Are you available during the time the hospital or healthcare organization needs someone? If you are not, and there is no flexibility on either side – this isn’t the right job for you. However, if you and the client facility both have some flexibility, oftentimes both sides can compromise and make the assignment work. Licensure Your recruiter may call you about a position that seems like a perfect fit, with one problem. You don’t have a license in that state. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker because Barton’s new license assistance can help! If there is enough lead time before the start of the position, and you have all your necessary paperwork in order, our licensing and credentialing team can help you get a license. If you are curious about how long it takes to get a license, check out our State Physician Licensing Guide. Skills It is important that you feel comfortable performing the skills and job functions described by the client organization. However, there are situations in which skill tradeoffs can be made. Depending on the patient volume, or how many doctors and/or nurse practitioners are working at any given facility, usually one of the permanent staff members can do more of a skill you are not proficient in, while you do more of another skill that you have experience doing. Be honest about what you can’t/won’t do during the interview process so that adjustments can be made before you start the position. Pay Rate Every rate discussion is a negotiation, and you should expect there to be movement on both sides. Oftentimes you can make up for a lower hourly rate in other areas, like overtime, or call back time. As is the case in most of these factors, is important to be flexible.When choosing your next locum tenens position, there are a few factors you need to evaluate to see whether it is a good match. Generally, you and your recruiter can work around most or all of these issues, if a conflict arises. It is also best to give your recruiter plenty of notice if concessions need to be made by either side. Schedule Are you available during the time the hospital or healthcare organization needs someone? If you are not, and there is no flexibility on either side – this isn’t the right job for you. However, if you and the client facility both have some flexibility, oftentimes both sides can compromise and make the assignment work. Licensure Your recruiter may call you about a position that seems like a perfect fit, with one problem. You don’t have a license in that state. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker because Barton’s new license assistance can help! If there is enough lead time before the start of the position, and you have all your necessary paperwork in order, our licensing and credentialing team can help you get a license. If you are curious about how long it takes to get a license, check out our State Physician Licensing Guide. Skills It is important that you feel comfortable performing the skills and job functions described by the client organization. However, there are situations in which skill tradeoffs can be made. Depending on the patient volume, or how many doctors and/or nurse practitioners are working at any given facility, usually one of the permanent staff members can do more of a skill you are not proficient in, while you do more of another skill that you have experience doing. Be honest about what you can’t/won’t do during the interview process so that adjustments can be made before you start the position. Pay Rate Every rate discussion is a negotiation, and you should expect there to be movement on both sides. Oftentimes you can make up for a lower hourly rate in other areas, like overtime, or call back time. As is the case in most of these factors, is important to be flexible.
About Kate Brown
Working with Barton since 2003, Kate Brown previously worked in provider relations on the Barton Associates' national accounts team. She visited residencies and training programs to educate up-and-coming healthcare providers about locum tenens. She spent eight years working as a recruiter in a variety of practice areas, including radiology, anesthesiology, surgery, and primary care. Kate received her B.A. in Communications and her MBA in Organizational Leadership from Rivier College in Nashua, NH.
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