If you’re interested in being a locum tenens provider, you’re not alone. In fact, at least a third of medical professionals either are or have been part of this segment of the healthcare sector. With a range of locum tenens positions now available, you’re sure to have plenty of options to choose from. That being said, finding assignments can be a complex and confusing process when you go it alone. Working with a locum tenens agency can help make matters much simpler.
Finding the Right Locum Tenens Agency to Work With
Numerous locum tenens agencies are at your disposal. They work with both medical facilities and healthcare professionals to help bring these two sides of the industry together. Though each agency has its strong suits, not all of them are a good fit for all locum tenens providers. Finding the right one to work with is the key to success. Consider the following factors when choosing a locum tenens agency to find the best one to meet your needs.
Reputation
One of the most important points to consider is the reputations of different locum tenens agencies. Look for those with a history of satisfied clients. That applies to both healthcare facilities and medical professionals. If clients on both ends of the spectrum are satisfied, that’s a good sign that the agency is committed to meeting the needs of everyone it works with. Look for reviews and talk to other locum tenens if possible to find agencies with excellent reputations. Evaluating companies’ reputations seems to be a recurring theme in today’s digital world, but it’s an effective way to find the right ones to do business with.
Variety of Assignments
Look into the variety of assignments that are available through different agencies as well. Consider the specialty positions they have listed and the range of settings those jobs are in. Though you’ll most likely want to remain within your specialty and field of expertise with assignments, you may also want to branch out a bit.
You may want to work in different corners of the country or overseas as well. Are you interested in short-term assignments or extended ones? Some agencies have more clients, broader databases, and more diverse options than others. If you’re looking for a wider variety of opportunities, choose an agency that can accommodate.
Support Services
Think about the support services different agencies offer for locum tenens providers too. Some may leave you on your own to handle many of the details involved in providing locum tenen services. Others are dedicated to helping medical professionals with those matters. Look for an agency that offers in-depth licensing and credentialing support. Some provide assistance with negotiations, travel arrangements, housing, and a variety of other aspects as well. The more help an agency offers, the less stress you’ll have to deal with when perusing assignments and accepting them.
Choosing the Best Locum Tenens Agency for You
Locum tenens agencies work with both healthcare facilities and medical professionals. Their goal is to find candidates who can best fill medical facilities’ temporary needs and to match locum tenen providers with assignments that align with their qualifications and expectations. It’s best to choose an agency that takes a personalized approach to placement for the best possible experience. Keep the points mentioned here in mind when looking for an agency to work with. They’ll help you choose one that can help you find the right assignments to dovetail with your needs and goals.
