With summer approaching, many physicians across the country are wondering about locum tenens opportunities. What are the advantages of taking a temporary position during the peak vacation season or any other time of the year?

To answer those questions, talk with All Medical Personnel’s staffing professionals at Internal Medicine 2012, the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Physicians April 19-21 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

For more than 20 years, All Medical Personnel has been finding temporary or long-term locum tenens placements for physicians and other healthcare professionals.  For internists, the major advantages include:

• Variety.  You have a chance to practice your skills in a new clinical setting and serve a different patient population.  Many locum tenens physicians also enjoy a change of pace in their lifestyle, such as spending a month or two in a seaside, mountain or other vacation-oriented community.
• Flexibility.  You can choose a schedule that meets your needs.  That might mean working a new shift, taking a temporary assignment for several weeks or moving to a new location for several months or longer.
• Work-family balance.  A locum tenens assignment can help you find a healthy balance between work and family responsibilities.  For instance, it can be difficult for two medical professionals to find appealing jobs in the same location.  A locum tenens placement can provide a temporary solution while you search for the right step to advance your careers.

Internal Medicine 2012 will feature more than 250 sessions on internal medicine, its subspecialties, and issues in practice management and health care policy. And if you’re interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities, visit All Medical Personnel at Internal Medicine 2012, Booth #624.  For more information on this conference, go to: http://im2012.acponline.org/.

Locums physicians are as unique as the positions they are placed in; however there are four main categories that comprise the majority of locums physicians.

The New Grad

After completing their residency or fellowship programs, physicians often want to work locum assignments to determine what type of practice setting they would like to eventually be in.  Working locum tenens is also a good opportunity to travel and determine where they would like to settle down permanently.

The Full Time Practice

The majority of locums physicians are in a full time practice, but utilize some of their vacation weeks or days off to supplement income, travel and assist other facilities and groups in need of coverage.

The Full Time Locum

Many providers have chosen the locum lifestyle because they enjoy traveling to different locations and practicing without the stressors of a medical practice.  A full time locum can make their own schedule, choose what assignments they will accept and at what rate.

The Semi Retired

Physicians that have retired from private practice often are not ready to completely leave the medical field.  Locums is a great way to keep skills sharp, supplement retirement funds and travel all while helping facilities in need.

All Medical has a flexible and customized approach to locum tenens staffing to accommodate all types of physicians and opportunities.

Per diem, the Latin term for “per day,” is not synonymous with locum tenens, the Latin term for “one holding a place,” but the two now share some of the same characteristics.  When locums began, most opportunities and assignments were a minimum of a 40 hour work week and often times, those hours had to be guaranteed even if not worked.  Most staffing firms have since revised those guidelines and have become more flexible.  Working on part time needs, partial days and partial week assignments has become more common.  As the industry has further evolved and more physicians are interested in working on a locums basis, some of those prefer to do so on a per diem basis.  As physicians with full time jobs are recruited into staffing firms, their availability can be limited to partial weeks, 7-on/7-off or a multitude of other possible schedules.   All Medical builds relationships with unique clients, prospects and providers and frequently these pieces can fit together perfectly.  There is a whole new level of flexibility associated with locum tenens and per diem work, especially when working with a private firm like All Medical.

If you have a unique staffing situation or one that you think does not fit into the typical staffing model, we would love to assist you with it.

With the economy still in a slump, many hospitals, physician groups and community health centers with tight budgets for locum tenens staff have been less likely to accept candidates that require travel and housing accommodations.  Although, when the provider pool is depleted because healthcare professionals are in such high demand, facilities often have to consider out of state providers.  Keeping a physician or other revenue-generating provider on staff means keeping money coming in the door and the patient base served.  Locum tenens providers are a viable solution for coverage while perm recruiting, to cover medical leaves, and for short term coverage such as holidays and vacations.

One way that All Medical helps our clients stay on budget is by offering travel and lodging at discounted rates. All Medical partners with several nationwide vendors that provide volume discounts to All Medical on rental cars, corporate apartments, and extended stay hotels.  All travel and housing discounts are passed through to the client; we do not mark up or add travel fees on the client bill.  Coordinating provider travel and lodging is a free service we offer to all of our clients and providers.  Getting a provider from CA to NY can be more seamless than you might think! 

We have a team of coordinators dedicated to researching the best options for each individual locum tenens assignment.  Suitable accommodations for the provider and reasonable rates for the client; that is our goal and just one part of our service to you.

All Medical has been a trusted resource for healthcare staffing for over 20 years.  All Medical provides coverage for all physician specialties, nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA).

Please contact Kristen Dorton for more information on how All Medical can provide you with cost effective locum tenens solutions.
877-267-5628 (ext. 3189)
214-431-3189 (direct)

Not long ago, a Florida physician, who shall remain nameless, reached a turning point in his life.  At age 65, his children were now adults.  His wife wanted to travel.  While he wasn’t ready to retire, he was ready to try something new.

The solution: temporary employment as a locum tenens physician with All Medical Personnel.  The physician and his wife looked at locum tenens opportunities in Arizona, Alaska and Minnesota, before selecting a position in California.  One of the main attractions for them was a change in scenery - redwood trees, mountains and lakes, rather than beaches and palm trees.

In addition, the physician was able to adjust his schedule with the new employer so he could work four days a week and enjoy regular three-day weekends. For this couple, locum tenens opened the door to a new lifestyle.

Based on our firm’s 20+ years of staffing experience, there are several important benefits of local tenens to consider:

• Adaptability.  As a locum tenens physician, you can choose from a wide array of work locations throughout the country.  That provides exposure to new working environments and healthcare systems, providing greater opportunities to advance your career.
• Autonomy.  Working locum tenens allows you to enjoy a higher level of independence.  You can visit new locations and select the best employment opportunities for you as an individual physician.
• Fulfillment.  Many locum tenens physicians enjoy having more variety in their day-to-day clinical experiences, as well as the opportunity to diagnose and treat different types of cases and patient populations.
• Flexibility.  The locum tenens lifestyle provides far greater flexibility with your schedule.  You can choose to work for six months and take a six-month hiatus, or work year-round in half a dozen locations - or any other schedule that meets your needs.

If you are interested in locum tenens, Click Here to send us an email or call to discuss these opportunities.  877.267.5628