Advanced practitioners dedicate their lives to providing outstanding medical care. However, they also need to focus on their careers, where they are, and where they wish to go. The long-term development of a career can never be neglected for the here and now. Many advanced practitioners now recognize this and choose to explore alternative career paths.
Individuals in these fields often struggle with work-home balance or find they are tied down to a position that only allows them access to certain types of cases. They want more from their careers and are looking for ways to obtain it. Locum tenens positions provide them with opportunities to explore new worlds. A surgeon interested in locum tenens will often find they have plenty of options, so they can find the right position for their unique needs. For those who have yet to explore these opportunities, now is the time to do so for the following reasons.
Patient Focused
Medical professionals spend countless hours each week completing administrative tasks. When an advanced practitioner takes on a locum tenens position, the focus returns to patient care. Less time is spent doing paperwork or cutting through red tape, and more time is spent with patients.
Expanded Cases
Locum tenens find they work in a range of clinical settings. They learn about new treatments, different perspectives, and unique cases. With this work, they gain new skills and refresh existing ones by branching out into different areas. A practitioner can learn a great deal by working with unfamiliar people.
Shared Experiences
When an advanced practitioner works as locum tenens, they not only gain knowledge, but they can share what they have learned with others. They serve as mentors to those they encounter as they move from position to position. The rewards that come with serving as a temporary provider are enormous.
Reduced Risk of Burnout
Locum tenens have more control over their schedules. One locum tenens might work eight-hour days, five days a week. Another practitioner serving in this role might choose four-day workweeks with 12-hour shifts each day. They can take time off without hesitation once an assignment is finished and travel the country while being paid to do so. This flexibility helps reduce physician burnout.
Increased Pay
Some practitioners worry they might end up taking a pay cut by moving from a permanent position to a temporary one. However, locum tenens often make more moving between positions than they would if they took a permanent job. The extra funds allow them to complete projects they have planned, add to their savings, or take time off between assignments. Each locum tenens determines what works for them, as these positions offer a significant amount of flexibility.
Benefits for Healthcare Organizations
Do healthcare organizations benefit from bringing in locum tenens? Yes, several benefits come with hiring these professionals to fill temporary or permanent staffing gaps. Unclaimed revenue can be recaptured by bringing in these professionals, and patient care improves. Permanent staff members are at less risk of burnout because they can share the workload. Furthermore, patient satisfaction and outcomes improve.
Locum tenens positions are readily available today. It’s simply a matter of knowing where to look for them. Many advanced practitioners choose to work with a staffing agency, as doing so simplifies the process. Learn more today to see if this opportunity is right for you.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.