Congratulations! You have landed your first locum tenens assignment. With all the licensing and credentialing paperwork now out of the way, there are still a few items that need consideration before you can begin seeing patients.
Finalize Assignment Details
Prior to embarking on your first locum tenens assignment, you should finalize all the details for your first day of work. You should discuss with your new supervisor:
- Dress code.
- Start time.
- Where you should report when you first arrive.
- Who you need to meet with to get started.
It is also important to familiarize yourself with the facility’s onboarding process. This could be a quick, morning orientation or an all-day event.
All the details surrounding work duties and schedule should be confirmed and finalized as well. These include:
- Start, end, and lunch times.
- Patient volume.
- Necessary procedures (if applicable).
- Call schedule.
Complete Necessary Paperwork
Contact your recruiter to see if it is necessary to bring any credentialing documents (copies of your CV, licenses, certifications, etc.) with you on your first day. You should also bring your timesheet and expense report with you. An authorized signatory should approve your work hours each week in order to process payment on time.
Prepare for Travel
While traveling can be fun and exciting, it can also be stressful. Making preparations ahead of time can make the whole process easier. There are certain travel apps that are very helpful when it comes to staying organized, from packing for your trip to ensuring you get a great night’s rest. Most importantly, be sure to have your boarding pass and ID when you get to the airport!
Let your locum tenens recruiter know exactly what you are looking for when it comes to lodging, including location, room size, amenities etc. Oftentimes a hotel comes recommended by the hospital, which should mean that other locum tenens providers have stayed there before and were satisfied with their experience. For more information on how best to coordinate your travel, check out Travel Tips for Locums.
You should also plan to arrive a day or two in advance of your first day of work. This will give you time to get settled in a new location. You can unpack, explore and relax.
Pack Wisely
As with any kind of trip or vacation you have to decide what to bring and what to leave behind. Depending on the duration of the assignment, traveling light with only a carryon bag can help limit the amount of time spent at the airport. It helps to check the weather forecast in order to pack weather appropriate clothing. You can likely purchase toiletries and other items at the assignment location in order to save room in your suitcase.
If you are working at a long term assignment, it is nice to bring some comforts from home. Rather than bringing them in your suitcase, you can ship them directly to the hotel. It also helps to add some things to your hotel room in order to make it feel more like home.
While your first locum tenens assignment can be nerve wracking it is also a very exciting time. If you complete the previously mentioned preparations, things will almost always go smoothly. Good luck and enjoy your first assignment!
