Medical providers find temporary travel employment a viable and rewarding way to earn income. Not only is there an increasing demand in healthcare facilities for locum tenens physicians, but there are more doctors considering the option as a chosen career path. Learn details on what locum tenens is at https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-locum-doctor/.
It’s no longer merely an option for those slowing down to work toward retirement. New doctors and those in mid-career are taking advantage of the opportunity to travel and have new experiences in the medical community.
Plus, many want to use their position to reach those in underserved and rural areas where the services are directly needed.
The lifestyle is not one suited for all individuals. A priority when considering the option is to weigh the pros and cons to determine if the career satisfies your specific circumstances. In examining these, you can then make a more educated decision. Let’s look at a few.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Temporary Physician Jobs
Locum Tenens is a Latin term for “holding of a place or a substitute.” The healthcare industry has assumed this phrase to describe temporary physician jobs, those who substitute for other providers where there’s a need.
Locum tenens is a practice that started roughly in the 1970s when healthcare staffing agencies serviced rural medical facilities in underserved regions.
It has only since continued to grow exponentially. “NALTO,” or the “National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations,” assists in organizing the work practices offering adequate policies and procedures for businesses, the providers, and clients.
A priority for physicians contemplating a locum tenens position is a need to weigh the pros and cons to determine if the role is the right move. Check a few of these so that you can make an informed decision.
● Pros
1. You’ll receive an income while being able to travel the country
As a locum tenens, there are no specific benefits. These you need to get on your own. The provider will, however, make a considerable salary, more than the standard permanent practitioner, plus you get to travel across the country based on the assignments you accept.
If you have an area you want to see, you can look for a job in that specific vicinity and take a working, extended vacation. The opportunities are ones you might not have otherwise experienced had you not chosen this particular course with your career.
It is always also possible that you’ll find a specific location you don’t want to leave, working with a facility that checks all your professional boxes. You might not believe you want something permanent, but there’s a chance the opportunity will find you.
2. There’s a flexibility and convenience not found with a permanent physician’s schedule
When working locum tenens, doctors can select their assignment, designate a schedule, and determine availability. That could mean merely working a couple of days during the week or a few months throughout the year.
The process is to submit a cover letter with these indications when you find a position that meets your requirements. As a freelance or “free agent,” you have the benefit of essentially being your own boss with the assistance of a staffing agency helping with most logistics.
3. Office politics aren’t a concern, but the training is invaluable
As a temporary employee, the potential for office politics is avoided. Usually, in a clinical or hospital setting, much drama is attached to career advancements and interpersonal relations. Neither of these will be a consideration since you’ll only be with each place for a short period.
In that same vein, you might not be able to advance a career or move up the ladder, but the experience you gain is invaluable for you as a physician with your skills and qualifications.
You will work with varied facilities among a diverse staff and patient demographic, learning new technologies and techniques as you go. You will grow your network in these settings, but it also significantly adds to a personal profile or portfolio. Click for further details on locum tenens pros and cons.
Final Thought
There are a few cons, including not being seen in the position of authority among a staff since you’ll be temporary or filling in. That could be difficult for someone who might be coming from a permanent situation into locum tenens.
You will also need to seek out benefits. That’s not terribly challenging since there’s a vast range of options for insurances. However, learning to navigate budgeting, accounting, and tax processes might require some professional help if you find the challenges too great.
The overall experience of locum tenens boasts “a once-in-a-lifetime adventure many practitioners are choosing as a way to set their own schedule, meet a diverse group of people, and see the county.
It might not be a suitable position for everyone, but when you weigh the pros and cons, you can decide if it will match up with your specific needs and desires.
