VISTA Archived Blogs

Registration—check; visa—check; credential packet—check; travel arrangements—check; husband’s travel arrangements—check; travel arrangements for two 90-pound Akitas—uh, check.

International assignments generally last about a year, so it’s not unusual for a locum doctor to ask about taking a beloved pet along on the adventure. VISTA just placed the emergency medicine physician featured above in a 12-month position in New Zealand, spouse, dogs, and all. I thought this would be a good time to share a little information about taking your furry pals along on an international locum tenens assignment.

The Medical Board of California Licensing Program communicated to VISTA Staffing Solutions’ licensing department regarding application processing time. The Licensing Board requests all applicants to check their application status online at the Medical Board’s Web Applicant Access System at www.mbc.ca.gov instead of calling the Board.

Greetings to physicians and clients working with VISTA and those we hope to work with in the future. At VISTA we work hard to set the standard for professionalism and responsiveness in the locum tenens, extended placements, and physician search and consulting industries. We try to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the ways you prefer to communicate with your physician staffing partners, from the introduction of the service to firming up the final details of the placement. I would very much appreciate hearing your views on social networking.

Permanent License: This license is usually good for one to two years. It allows you to work in the state at any hospital or facility. Depending on the state, permanent licenses take between two months to over a year to obtain.

Big news! As of May 2, when I finished the Providence, Rhode Island Marathon, I have run, walked, limped, etc. the requisite 26.2 miles in all 50 of our fine states! I’ve been at this pursuit since 2001 when I turned 60 and decided I needed to get in better physical shape. On one of my early marathons, I learned of the “50 States Marathon Club,” which I qualified to join after finishing 10 states. I joined and got the T-shirt!  It has been a fun association and continuing motivation to keep running. I have now earned the privilege of wearing the much-coveted shirt that says, “50 States Finisher.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Center for Workforce Studies has released new physician shortage estimates that are 50 percent worse than anticipated before health care reform legislation was passed.

The United States, like most of the world, is already facing a critical physician shortage. The problem will intensify as 32 million Americans acquire health care coverage, and an additional 36 million aging Baby Boomers qualify for Medicare.