How to Prepare for Your First Locum Tenens Assignment
The medicine won’t be the hardest part of your first assignment. The systems will. Most first-day slowdowns happen because of unfamiliar workflows, not unfamiliar clinical care. The two weeks before you start are your opportunity to remove as much friction as possible before you ever see your first patient.
Confirm Operational Access
Two weeks before your first shift, confirm that the site has everything ready for your arrival.
Your recruiter should verify:
- EMR login has been created
- Badge is ready
- Parking instructions have been provided
- Building access is confirmed
- Any required passwords, VPN access, or security training are complete
If the site allows pre-arrival EMR access, spend an hour practicing:
- Opening a patient chart
- Placing common orders
- Locating your documentation templates
- Signing a sample note
Even one hour of familiarity can make your first day significantly smoother.
Five Contacts to Save Before Day One
Your recruiter should ensure these five contacts are readily available prior to your start:
Your Barton recruiter
Your first call for travel issues, onboarding questions, or anything the site can't immediately resolve.
Your on-site clinical leader
Medical director, charge nurse, office manager, or practice owner.
Scheduling contact
The person responsible for shift changes and call coverage.
EMR or IT support
For login problems and technical issues.
Housing contact (if applicable)
Hotel, rental host, or travel coordinator.
Protocols Worth a Pre-Read
Site-specific clinical protocols vary more than most clinicians expect. Where available, review before your first shift:
Sepsis and acute deterioration order sets — bundle compositions and timing thresholds vary by site
Code-status conventions — full-code/DNR documentation, POLST forms, physician confirmation requirements
Admitting workflow — which service admits, which consults, what criteria determine ICU vs. stepdown vs. floor
Site-specific medication considerations — formulary substitutions, controlled-substance protocols, anticoagulation pathways
Supervision and collaboration agreements — for NPs and PAs, the specific terms at this site
Dental protocols — materials, sterilization workflow, patient-flow rhythm, documentation system
Common order sets
Consult workflow
Transfer protocols
Escalation procedures
Memorizing protocols before day one isn’t the goal. Knowing they exist and where to find them is.
Locum Tenens Pre-Arrival Checklist — Barton Associates
Two Weeks Before
Request EMR pre-arrival access (through recruiter)
Build site contact list (5 contacts)
Request site-specific protocols for your specialty
Confirm housing details, backup plan if needed
Confirm parking, building entry, arrival time, dress code
Night Before / Morning Of
Confirm first contact name at site
Test EMR log-in if pre-arrival access was granted
Pack: ID/license/DEA card, BLS/ACLS cards, clinical tools, phone charger, comfortable shoes, snacks
Set arrival time 30–60 min before first patient
