If
you are working or have worked as a locum tenens physician, you probably know
that not all placement firms are alike. Some firms have a mission simply to
fill empty hospital staffing slots as quickly and reliably as possible. Others
define and follow best practices that help make the most of the locum
experience for providers and hospitals.
This
brief guide highlights some of these best practices. Think of it as a checklist
to use whenever you consider signing on with a placement firm. It could make
the difference between a so-so assignment and a great one.
Best Practice #1: Take travel arrangements
seriously.
Look for a firm that has a dedicated travel
department and builds your itinerary according to your preferences. You might prefer to drive to an
assignment if the hospital is within four or five hours from home. If it’s a
longer trip, flying might be the best way to go. The best firms offer
flexibility here, reimburse for gas at the prevailing mileage rate, and don’t
require you to travel one way or another to get to an assignment. When you do
fly, they should want to know whether you prefer a window or aisle seat. Some
firms leave it up to the airline to assign seats. Others take a more proactive
approach to ensure your flight is as enjoyable as possible.
Best Practice #2: Focus on provider comfort.
We’ve all heard the horror stories about going to a
locum tenens assignment to discover you have been booked at some bargain motel
by the interstate for the duration of your stay. The best travel departments
let you “choose your
chain,” and build their game plan around this and other preferences. Do you eat
out most of the time while on assignment, or would you like a room with a small
kitchen and a grocery store within walking distance of the hotel? Do you want
to be near an aquatic center or health club, or is the hotel’s workout room
sufficient? Preferences like these should be remembered and honored every time
you take a new assignment.
Best Practice #3: Make convenience a
top priority.
Locum
placement firms should cover your travel expenses without expecting you to pay
with your credit card and reimburse you later. They should also keep your
frequent flyer and hotel loyalty numbers on file to be sure you get the points
when bookings are made. (Some placement firms roll your points into their
corporate account.) The best firms also maintain VIP-level contracts with
rental car agencies, so getting your rental car is quick and easy. When you get
off the plane, you want to get your keys and go. You shouldn’t have to wait in line,
deal with insurance and other paperwork, or waste time waiting for rental car
agents to find a car for you.
Best Practice #4: Be responsive and
consistent.
Perhaps
most important, a travel department should be accessible and ready to handle
changes or issues day or night. Noisy hotel room? Mold issues in the bathroom? Uncomfortable
bed? You should be
able to report a problem, get it handled quickly, and be settled in a room to
your liking within an hour or two. Consistency is another important quality when
it comes to placement firms’ travel departments. It’s annoying to be switched
back and forth between people, or to have to explain a request or issue
multiple times. When you go
to work, you should simply be able to pick up a key and go to your room, secure
in the knowledge that everything is handled without multiple phone calls or
texts on your part.
Best Practice #5: Make credentialing
painless.
If you are interested in or take
an assignment in a state where you are not currently licensed, your placement
firm should work with you to make licensing and credentialing smooth and
painless. When possible, the firm should file any documents on your behalf,
taking a major paperwork burden off your shoulders. The firm should also guide
you regarding which states have a more difficult and lengthy licensing process,
and should help you start the process early if you are considering an
assignment in one of those states. Best practices dictate a proactive approach
here. The firm should provide you with everything needed to complete the
process in a way that is timely and hassle-free.
Best practice #6: Pay promptly and regularly.Being a
1099 independent contractor or locum tenens physician or healthcare provider
allows for competitive compensation which is typically based on either hourly
shifts or daily rates. The best placement firms pay providers on a regular
schedule of every two weeks for services rendered, and cover medical liability
insurance, travel and lodging expenses.
Best practice #7: Have a philosophy that goes beyond
the literal meaning of “locum tenens.”As you probably know, “locum tenens” is a Latin phrase meaning “to hold
a place.” The best placement firms, however, go beyond the literal meaning to
deliver providers who add significant value to the hospitals where they work. An
understanding of a hospital’s unique culture is essential to ensure the right
match between provider and facility. Ask if the firm has physician leadership;
it can make a big difference in building respect within the healthcare
community and attracting a strong, reputable network
of hospital-trained and clinic-based locum tenens physicians.
