Locum Tenens 101: 4 Tips to Find the Right Agency

The rise in popularity of locum tenens in the healthcare sector comes as no surprise. It does boast advantages to medical professionals that a more traditional and linear career path in medicine lacks. From the opportunity to choose a healthcare facility or community to determine your schedule, it’s easy to see why working in locums is rising in popularity.

However, you must choose a reputable and reliable physician recruiter like https://mascmedical.com to ensure that there are no frustrations, inefficiencies, and miscommunications between yourself and the chosen company. And in this article, we will talk about a few tips that you need to know before you commit to an agency.

  1. Bigger isn’t always better

Many make the common mistake of basing their decision on which locum tenens agency to choose based solely on the company’s exposure. But just because these businesses market more, it doesn’t necessarily make them a better option. In actuality, it just means that their overhead costs are higher, which can affect the rate of the practitioner. On the other hand, the inefficiencies of smaller agencies can be offset by their rates, so long as you let them know your expectations.

  1. Always be clear with your terms

It may not be uncommon for physicians to do administrative work, but they are first and foremost medical professionals. And because of this, they may not always be savvy when it comes to the business side of things. So before you commit, make sure that you’re clear about your terms. Remember that the primary reason why locum tenens practitioners are rising in demand is that they’re needed. And you’re far more likely to get a favorable deal if you ask for what you want rather than let the company decide what you need.

  1. Check what people have to say

Locum tenens may meet a need in healthcare, but it’s also a business. And like any business, they can be a little economical with the facts. After all, they need to put their best foot forward to recruit more physicians. And it is for this reason that you must check what other people have to say first before you decide on an agency. It might sound tedious to read through feedback and testimonials, but the time that you spend in doing so will pay off later on.

  1. Explore your options

If you’re looking to work in locums, there’s a good chance that you might find more than one potentially viable option. And if you want to get the best company, it makes sense to explore all your options first. After all, you’re far less likely to find a physician recruiter that can give you the terms that you desire if you don’t actively look for it.

Locum tenens is undoubtedly an excellent career path, whether you’re fresh out of your residency or have spent a number of years in the healthcare industry. And by following the tips listed above, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of working in locums much easier than you would have otherwise.

 

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