How to Choose the Right Locum Tenens Company
If you are occasionally or frequently in need of locum tenens medical professionals, starting a relationship with a locum tenens staffing firm is an excellent option. This is often a very strategic decision as a locum tenens staffing firm can provide your organization with specialized staff when you need them to fill in critical positions. A locum tenens staffing company will be an important and trusted partner of your facility, so choosing the right one that fits with your needs and work culture is paramount. When looking into locum tenens companies, these are the questions you need to ask.
Are They Specialized?
Locum tenens are a very specialized kind of professional, so any staffing agency your organization is looking at should be similarly specialized in providing locum tenens professionals. You should find a company that specializes in the kinds of professionals you are in need of. For example, if your service is at-home nursing, a locum company with a good track record of placing skilled nurses in that kind of work environment would be preferable. However, a larger company might be advantageous if your organization is also large and has many different roles that might need to be filled, such as a major hospital.
What Support Do They Provide?
A good locum tenens firm wants their placements to succeed, so they maintain a good relationship with the healthcare facilities that sustain them. Reputable companies should have good resources for their temporary staff to ensure success. For example, does the locum tenens firm you are looking at provide or take care of hospital privileges, travel arrangements, housing arrangements and licensure credentials?[1]
Are They Insured?
All locum tenens firms need to carry adequate liability insurance, both what a regular staffing firm needs and the specialized insurance that traveling doctors need.[2] Even if they are a completely reputable firm, mistakes happen, and good staffing firms want to keep themselves covered as much as they want to keep their clients covered. When considering a locum tenens company, ask what kind of insurance coverage they have and ask for a copy of their insurance certificate. If you choose to work with them, keep a copy of that certificate on record. Another insurance element is for the physicians and staff they provide. Does the company provide malpractice insurance for them?
What Have Other Healthcare Professionals Said About This Company?
What other hospitals, clinics, care facilities or other medical organizations have used this locum tenens company in the past? Are there any facilities with which your organization is affiliated already? Have they liked the service and the staff they have received? Referrals from trusted medical providers can go a long way toward helping you choose the right firm for your needs. Traits to ask about include high ethical standards, experience and an established network with a variety of healthcare facilities.
Finding and choosing the right locum company is a lot like choosing any other staffing firm for your temporary staffing needs, although there are special considerations because of the highly specialized and sensitive nature of the medical field. You should do your research, meet with representatives of the company and speak with other facilities that have used them. If they have a good reputation, are a member of professional organizations like the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO) and cover their staff adequately, they are likely a good choice.
References
[1] https://www.nalto.org/about/choosing-a-locum-tenens-firm/
[2] http://blog.soliant.com/careers-in-healthcare/choosing-a-locum-tenens-company/