Three Tips for Finding the Right Locum Tenens Firm

1. Three Tips for Finding the Right Locum Tenens Firm Today’s physicians and clinicians are faced with endless options when it comes to locations and assignments. This makes choosing the right locums tenens firm more important than ever. Here are a few tips for choosing the firm that’s right for you. It’s All About You An effective recruiter will match you with assignments that meet your personal and professional needs. There will be many questions. Be ready with the answers.         What type of experience do you want? Where do you want to live/work? And for how long? Open to working in more rural settings or is big city life for you? Prefer a traditional or non-traditional practice setting? Are there patient populations you prefer to work with? Housing needs/Housing flexibility? Employee/Private practice/ Independent contractor status? Any family considerations?

2. Practical Matters Really Matter Different firms will offer different benefits/services to professionals like you. If you have a question or concern, bring it up. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask about:        Compensation – How/When/How often/Get paid? Is Direct Deposit available? Vacation Time? Bonuses?/Benefits? Living arrangements – Do they take care of them for you? What are the travel/expense reimbursement policies? Do they offer licensing assistance/ liability insurance? Do they provide it? They’ll Check You Out. Check Them Out Too. Do your homework. There are many locum tenens firms and they all need you in order to fill positions. Begin by checking websites and corporate reports, customer reviews, mission statements and published articles to confirm what you have heard or read.     Get references from past placements/facilities staff if possible. Do they have a defined placement process and results that can be verified? Do they innovate/utilize current technology to streamline the placement process? Good Recruiters should ask lots of questions. The focus should be on you. Your recruiter will be your best advocate. It’s imperative that you get along and maintain open lines of communication. This is the person who will be handling all of your scheduling and negotiating. If for some reason, you do not have a good relationship, move onto a new recruiter or to a new company.