Many physicians today struggle to find the right work-life balance. They see very little of their families and are exhausted when they do. Locum tenens work is attracting countless medical professionals today for this reason and more. Taking on temporary positions gives these professionals more control over their schedules and lives.
Locum tenens work is becoming more popular. From 2002 to 2016, the number of individuals taking on these positions almost doubled. In addition, most healthcare facility managers now work with these temporary employees. A person can learn more about openings and opportunities by contacting Locumstory. Why should they do so?
The Benefits of Locum Tenens Work
Many people look into locum tenens work because they struggle with burnout. Stanford University recently led a study that found that almost half of all medical professionals deal with burnout to some extent. This impacts patient safety. Physicians who suffer from burnout are more likely to make a medical error.
Locum tenens control their own schedule. They can accept jobs months in advance or wait until there is a last-minute opening. They determine where they work and when. Many individuals use these jobs to travel the country or see the world without sacrificing pay in the process.
Medical professionals taking on temporary positions typically earn more than their counterparts working in permanent positions, even when they are doing the exact same job. According to Physician’s Practice, agencies often cover additional costs, so the medical professional won’t need to worry about malpractice insurance, credentialing, and similar things.
Men and women struggling with medical school debt find locum tenens work beneficial. They may choose to take temporary assignments while traveling and earn higher pay. However, they can also work full-time in a city and take on locum tenens work to bring in some extra money and pay off their debt sooner.
The Drawbacks of Locum Tenens Work
Before taking on locum tenens work, a person must know the drawbacks. Some agencies require locum tenens to handle their paperwork. They may also need to obtain medical malpractice insurance. Any person wishing to take on one of these positions must read the contract carefully to ensure they know what the agency covers and what they are responsible for.
Locum tenens don’t receive benefits like permanent employees do. For example, they must obtain their own health, dental, and life insurance. They also won’t receive paid time off, vacation pay, or an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Locums who choose to work with an agency and have access to more positions find that agencies take a cut of their pay. This fee covers any administrative costs incurred by the agency. There is little transparency regarding knowing how much medical practice pays for locum tenens and how much the agency takes.
Is Locum Tenens Work the Right Choice?
How can a medical professional know if locum tenens work suits them? Anyone should try one of these temporary assignments to see whether they like the job or prefer something permanent. Before doing so, the individual should know what they want out of this assignment. They may want to supplement their income, travel, or explore different medical settings.
Many individuals choose to work with an agency for their first few positions. They may then find these open positions independently or continue working with the agency. When selecting an agency to work with, they must find one dedicated to helping medical professionals find the right fit. Some people feel bigger agencies are better because more job opportunities exist. However, overhead is higher, and the recruiters have less time to work with each client.
Talk with others in the industry to see which agencies they have used. Ask about their experience with locum tenens work and if they have any advice. However, remember that each person’s experience will be unique. A person should never dismiss this option until they have explored it fully because it may be their ideal job.
