Healthcare workers looking for more flexibility and diversity in their employment may wish to consider transitioning to locum tenens work. Many people assume these jobs are only temporary, but a person can make a career of taking on these assignments and personally grow thanks to the many experiences they will have. Individuals working as locums have the freedom to choose the assignments they take and learn different perspectives from each one. The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations has observed a rise in medical professionals transitioning to locum tenens work, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
What Do Locum Tenens Do?
Locum tenens working with Weatherby Healthcare take on temporary assignments to fill open positions in healthcare organizations. They may be asked to step in when a doctor or nurse takes medical leave or when an organization is short-staffed. At times, locum tenens are used to fill an open position while the organization searches for a permanent replacement.
The organization won’t be rushed to fill this spot to ensure continuity of care. The vacancy can be filled with locum tenens until the right person is found for the position. A 2022 Staff Care survey found that 88 percent of healthcare organizations in America used locum tenens to maintain patient care standards.
Locum Tenens Qualifications
Locum tenens must have the same qualifications as permanent healthcare workers. They must also be licensed and credentialed in the states where they choose to accept assignments. Working with an agency helps ease the process of obtaining licensure and credentialing, allowing locum tenens to easily increase their job opportunities by partnering with an agency rather than trying to find assignments independently.
Enhanced Experience
Medical professionals benefit greatly from locum tenens assignments as they are called to handle diverse cases in different practice settings. The American Medical Association highlights the importance of these varied experiences. They enhance a person’s CV while allowing the medical professional to expand their skill set. Working as a locum tenens also enables individuals to benefit from a larger network and access continuous learning opportunities.
Partnering With an Agency
Locum tenens practitioners find that they greatly benefit from partnering with an agency. Staffing agencies fill many open positions in healthcare, allowing workers to spend less time searching for assignments and more time caring for patients, which is what they entered the field of healthcare to do. However, one must find the right agency for their specific needs. This agency should support the client and align with the worker’s career goals.
Transitioning to Locum Tenens Work
People assume they can easily transition to locum tenens work, as these professionals remain in high demand. However, they must plan the logistics of this transition. They will work as independent contractors and may be required to make their travel arrangements and find living accommodations. The locum must be able to adjust to new environments and teams to succeed in this field. A reputable locum tenens agency will guide the worker through the process to make the transition easier.
People should make the most of this opportunity and take on assignments in different parts of the country and various practice settings. The skills and experiences gained by accepting diverse assignments are invaluable. The healthcare professional will have a better work-life balance while diversifying their professional expertise. However, the best part of locum tenens work is the people that one meets on the different assignments. These people may become long-term colleagues and friends who last a lifetime.