A Day In The Life of a Professional VISTA Healthcare Recruiter

At VISTA, a locum tenens recruiter’s job is two-fold: we are dedicated to connecting facilities with highly qualified providers and we’re passionate about helping clinicians find the perfect opportunities to grow their career. Whether there’s a travel emergency or a licensing issue, we work to ensure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. To get an inside look at the role of our dedicated recruiters, check out a day in the life of VISTA recruiter Xi Feng from our Hospitalist team:

1. What kind of providers and facilities do you work with? What do you look for in providers?

We work with family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatric hospitalists. The facilities we work with are all hospitals. The ideal candidate for our jobs would be board-certified in their specialty with a clean background, current hospital work experience, and preferably an active license in the state we have work.

2. How do you find the right provider to match the job opportunity?

I consider those that are already in my pipeline who are either currently working with me or have worked with me in the past. That is where I will go first. After that, I start reaching out to providers who have expressed an interest in locum tenens work. I will also ask for referrals from providers who have worked or are working with me.

3. What’s your favorite part about being a recruiter for the Hospitalist division?

My favorite part of being a recruiter on the Hospitalist team is the people I work with. I also enjoy the fast pace of our business and working with my colleagues to make a deal happen.

4. What advice do you give to providers who are new to locum tenens work?

I like to educate them about what it means to be a locum tenens physician. You can work a flexible schedule, travel, and have access to a personal assistant that will take care of almost everything that is not related to the specific practice of medicine.  I like to make sure they understand that having me as their recruiter means they have someone who is there for them should a situation arise, and they are not on their own to deal with it.

5. How has being bilingual aided you in your career, particularly as a locum tenens recruiter?

Being bilingual is a benefit in any career.  As a recruiter, it has benefited me tremendously when building a relationship with a physician who speaks Mandarin. It immediately creates trust between myself and the physician because we have something in common.  Not only the language but also the cultural aspect.

6. What’s the toughest part of your job?

The toughest part of my job is when I do not have control over all aspects of the process, but physicians can feel confident that I will do everything possible to find an alternate solution.

7. What about unique perks to locum tenens work?

The unique perks to locum tenens is being able to work as much as you want or as little as you want.  You’re able to take blocks of time off as desired.

8. What’s the most frequently asked question you get about locum tenens work?

The most frequently asked questions are about the physician agreement, the malpractice coverage, how much they will be paid, and the schedule.

9. If you had a magic wand and could make it known to all job applicants, what would you want them to know or be prepared for?

Locum tenens is unpredictable, but I will put them first and they can always count on me because I care about their happiness.

10. What is the most common mistake or error you see on resumes? During the application process?

The most common mistake on CVs is not including month/year beginning and end dates for their education and work history. Other mistakes include neglecting to account for any time gaps, having too many pages of their publications, not putting their work experience on the first page, and neglecting to put their most recent work history first. Sometimes candidates will go too far back and include work history from high school or include their personal information like their birthdate, wife’s name, or kids’ names. The hospitals will usually disregard this information.

11. How do you handle last-minute bumps or hiccups in an assignment?

When something comes up at the last minute or a hiccup occurs, I find dealing with it immediately is always the best. I will handle issues 24/7, even if I am taking time off or out of town.

12. How do you gain trust with a candidate that has never worked with you before?

I gain trust with a new candidate by first listening to them and hearing what they want. I educate them on how I can help based on what they have told me. Then I offer solutions to their needs. I also make myself available for any questions or concerns they may have as we move through the process.  

13. What are the hallmarks of a "really, really good day" for you?

The hallmarks of a really good day for me is when I am trying to help a physician go through the process to work in a hospital when we’ve already experienced a few bumps and hiccups. It may seem impossible, but then it all works out and both the physician and hospital are happy.

14. What's your favorite Hospitalist locum tenens success story?

My favorite locum tenens success story is when I experienced some bumps in the road with a physician - before I’ve even had the chance to build trust - but yet it all worked out on the other side and they tell me I am the only recruiter they are working with. That is the ultimate success for me.

Think you can benefit from the help of a locum tenens recruiter like Xi Feng? Our experienced staff can help you find the location, facility, and role that best fits your needs and preferences. Contact us today to get paired with a recruiter, or browse our job board to find the perfect opportunity for you.