by Rob Berton | May 25, 2017 | Blog, Credentialing, Locum Tenens |
Make your experience as a locum tenens professional a productive and rewarding one by taking some important steps and precautions when selecting a recruiting agency to find positions for you.
How to Choose a Locum Tenen Agency
Recruitment agencies serve important roles for both medical practices and health care professionals looking to fill available positions. When you’re looking for locum tenens opportunities, the first step is to find a reliable agency to help you secure temporary placements. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a locum tenen agency.
Availability of Locations
Not all locum tenen agencies place physicians across the country or anywhere in the world. Look for an agency that offers placements in locations where you’ll likely be able to travel without too much difficulty. It’s just as important to know what you want in terms of temporary work and locations.
Getting to Know You
Partner with an agency that’s going to take the time to know your goals with locum tenens positions and your capabilities so that they can accurately match you with the right hospitals. On a related note, make sure they understand the requirements and certifications unique to your specialty.
Accessibility and Communication
Choose a locum tenen agency with recruiters who are easily accessible if you have any questions or issues with one of your placements. This availability should include any assistance you may need with travel arrangements or sorting out any problems with payment and necessary documents. Accessibility and communication also extend to:
• Letting you know before CVs are sent
• Addressing concerns with facility policies and practices once you have been placed
• Handling licensing and credentialing issues
• Clearly explaining compensation arrangements, including frequency of payment and specifications for overtime and call duties
Understanding Potential Work Environments
Do a little digging to see how much an agency knows about potential places where you may be working. Do they check on things like the general working environment and the overall safety and comfort of physicians and patients? Also, consider agencies that have stipulations in place to allow you to back out of contracts or agreements to work for specific periods if conditions aren’t as described.
You don’t have to settle for one agency exclusively. Be wary of any agency that asks you to agree not to look elsewhere. Most reputable agencies will allow you to maintain multiple relationships so that you’ll have as many opportunities available as possible. Also, avoid any agencies that ask you to pay; it’s the medical facilities that pay for these services.
References:
1. 5 Tips for Choosing a Locum Tenens Recruitment Agency. Available at: “https://www.locumleaders.com/news/career-tips/tips-for-choosing-a-locum-tenens-recruitment-agency/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
2. 7 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Locum Tenens Staffing Company. Available at “http://www.comphealth.com/resources/locum-tenens/7-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-locum-tenens-staffing-company/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
3. Tips on Selecting Locum Tenen Agencies. Available at: “https://www.nalto.org/tips-selecting-locum-tenens-agencies/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
by Rob Berton | May 18, 2017 | Blog, Credentialing, Locum Tenens |
Licensing and credentialing is important for locum tenens, who typically have to produce such documents before a position can be offered. Knowing how this works can make your time as a locum tenen productive and efficient.
How Licensing and Credentialing Work as a Locum Tenen
Since locum tenen positions often involve temporary employment in various medical facilities in different states, licensing and credentialing must be valid, current and easily verifiable. Depending on where you’ll be working, you may need to obtain new credentials, privileges, verifications or certificates. In some cases, you may need to reactivate lapsed state licenses. Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for your next locum tenen position.
Adhering to State License Procedures
Each state has a specific process for granting licenses to physicians. Most states have a complex series of requirements that include licensing boards and licensing statutes. Start by contacting the medical boards in states where you’ve applied for locum tenen positions to get a list of specific requirements.
The licensing process typically takes about five to six months in most states, as long as your documentation is sufficient. If you need to obtain a new license or reactivate an expired one, there will usually be a fee. The exact amount varies by state. Generally, licensing is a process that includes:
• Verification of education
• Malpractice documentation
• Controlled substance registration
• Interviews with medical board members
Providing Required Credentialing Documentation
Each hospital or medical facility has a process in place to verify the credentials and privileges of any physician applying for a locum tenen position. It’s largely a process that involves confirming everything that was stated on your application in reference to your capabilities, education and experience as a medical practitioner. The verification process often includes an in-depth interview with a credentialing committee and possibly individuals from the hospital’s board of directors and medical executive committee.
Often, each facility will reach out to previous employers where you had privileges to confirm that those privileges are still in good standing. They may also check any references you mentioned on your application or talk to staff you worked with previously. Documentation usually required for credentialing confirmation includes:
• Medical school diploma
• Proof of residencies and fellowships
• Board certifications
• Life support certifications
Accurate record-keeping is a must. Set up a system that allows you to easily access any credentialing or licensing information and the proof you’ll need to provide. Fully complete all necessary applications and keep copies of any training certificates you’ve obtained.
References:
1. State Medical Boards. Available at: “https://www.locumtenens.com/physician-resources/medical-state-board-licenses.aspx”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
2. Obtaining a Medical License. Available at: “https://www.ama-assn.org/education/obtaining-medical-license”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
3. Physician Credentialing and Privileging. Available at: “http://www.acmq.org/policies/policy21.pdf”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
