In the United States health-care industry today, locum tenens hiring is proving to be a multi-million dollar enterprise. Locum tenens jobs literally mean jobs created \”to hold the place of\”, or \”to substitute for\”. Companies specializing in this kind of staffing provide services not only for hospitals or other outpatient facilities, but also for the government and military, community health centers, some group practices, and even correctional facilities.

The original program began in the 1970s as a way to provide badly needed medical services in many areas of the western United States. The areas concerned were usually rural, and could not attract and hold permanent doctors and staff. Even though in existence for a relatively short time, the program has proven to be so successful that many new doctors and other medical personnel in non-rural locations choose these types of positions as a specific career model.

This kind of hiring benefits both staff and facility managers. Temporary physicians make up nearly 6% of current doctors, a small but significant number. Hiring one of these doctors is an excellent way to find temporary replacements for those permanent staff members who may be absent for a variety of reasons, including their own illnesses, maternity leaves, or even a vacation or sabbatical.

These temporary employees are also capable of filling positions created when regular doctors are in supplementary classes, and are often used to simply beef up the staff during periods of extreme activity. They are also hired to fill positions while permanent staff is being recruited. In fact, many administrators now include these temporarily employed physicians as part of their regular staffing policies.

Many physicians cite having their own, flexible schedule as one of the main attractions of this type of job structure. Others list travel opportunities, extra income, and expanding their own clinical experiences as good reasons to choose temporary employment. Actively seeking this type of work puts the career-minded physician more in control of finding the right-paying job in a desired geographical location, with the type of community and administrative philosophies that fit individual needs and expectations.

Today\’s temporary doctors are highly qualified, and are hired in accordance with JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and NCQA (National Commission on Quality Assurance) standards. Some are licensed in multiple states. Because they often apply to a variety of locations and staffing needs, many of these physicians are more current with the latest technological advances and standards.

A qualified doctor may apply directly to an agency or staffing consultant. Initial conversations with such an agency include, of course, experience and work history, but also cover interests and personal goals, and geographic availability. Many of these medical personnel work as independent contractors, and must undergo a review of personal credentials and other application details before being hired.

Once approved, there are many opportunities available to match most skills, interests, and personal goals. Today it is not necessary to be locked into a particular job location or institution in order to make career advances. Locum tenens jobs add an element of interest and variety, adding to his or her knowledge of patient perspectives and needs. Demand remains constant, and there will be a strong need for temporary staffing in the foreseeable future.

Author Bio: Our team of representatives focuses on locating temporary Locum Tenens position for you, whether you are a new resident moving into practice or a seasoned physician looking for a practice change in Locum Tenens Job.

Category: Career
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