If you're searching for new practice opportunities to grow or expand your medical career, you should be exploring the options provided by the government. These options will let you work in a variety of areas, from focusing on state level services to federal services, so you could do civilian or military work for the DoD, federal work for the HHS, or reach out to minorities and other underserved groups via organizations like the VA or Indian Health Services. With positions nationwide in a variety of fields, perhaps the best place to start is by understanding the perks of government positions in the medical field.

A big draw for locum tenens professionals is the ability to travel, experience new places, and treat people from different walks of life. For many, this means working in big, bustling cities, like New York, LA or Chicago.

But this wasn't what the industry's founding pioneers, Therus Kolff and Alan Kronhaus, had in mind. Locum tenens was actually created to bring physicians to underserved, rural communities.

If the bright lights and fast pace of city life aren't for you, rural locum tenens work offers a quieter alternative with many benefits. Here are three reasons to consider a rural location when choosing your next locum tenens position.

A professional, easy-to-read resume is essential to attain work as a physician or advanced practitioner. The following healthcare resume tips can help you create a resume worth reading.

Best Practices for Your Resume or CV

Keep It Updated

This may seem like simple advice, but it’s probably the most important tip to apply to your resume. Each time you add experience to your professional repertoire, add it to your resume. This ensures accuracy in the stated information and saves valuable time in the future.

Aside from its beauty, amazing year-round weather and a plethora of activities, practicing in California as a primary care physician has several career perks and benefits. The following are three reasons you should consider primary care positions in California.

Primary Care Physician Shortage

A recent report released by the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) revealed that “California will need an estimated 8,243 additional primary care physicians by 2030.” In other words, an additional 32% of the total workforce will be needed. The Association has declared there is a workforce crisis. That’s where you come in — by considering a primary care position in California.

Certain challenges that prevent you from maintaining a healthy, active medical career may be prevented by avoiding the following three most common mistakes doctors make with their careers.

1. Allowing Medical License(s) to Lapse

Whether you are taking a break from practice or simply have collected a generous amount of state licenses through locums assignments, allowing a medical license to expire can impact the possibility of new assignments. Having an active license in a state where you are seeking work will be beneficial and expedite the process. If not, you will have to reapply for a license which takes time. Retaining active licenses allows you more opportunities for locums assignments.

When accepting a new opportunity or position, you need to understand the terms of what’s being offered to you, to ensure that it makes sense for your professional goals, personal goals and your lifestyle. The following tips can help you when negotiating a physician contract that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Be Prepared

The first thing to remember is that certain things are negotiable and it’s important to know, going into a position, what is most important to you. Before meeting with your future partner or employer, consider the parts of the contract that you have questions about. Typically, the items that are most negotiated include salary, paid time off, and signing bonuses or stipends. Decide what is most important in your life: compensation, flexible hours, vacation time or a fast-paced, challenging work environment. An employment attorney, senior physician you trust, and even a recruiter that is familiar with contracts can help guide you through the process and sift through the contract language.

Quick, grab your medical dictionary! What, it’s not within arms reach at all times of the day? What about your smartphone? That’s what we thought. Smartphones and tablets have changed the way we function. From turning the house lights on before you get home, to checking on your sleeping baby in the nursery, technology has been a game-changer in all aspects of our lives.

If you’ve considered working locum tenens to increase your practice experience or if you are looking for a change of pace, we invite you to consider the travel benefits of working locum assignments. Not only does locum tenens allow you to travel around the U.S. and abroad, but it also exposes you to different work environments and cultures. The following is a list of three travel benefits of working locum assignments:

Maine is known for its peaceful retreat-like atmosphere and beautiful surroundings any time of year. Maine offers something for everyone which makes it an ideal place to live and work. Consider the following four reasons to work a locum tenens assignment in Maine.

Are you a dedicated, intelligent, motivated person with a sense of humor and "gumption"? Then you just might have what it takes to work at VISTA!