VISTA Voice

Locum tenens jobs have dramatically changed the daily operations of overburdened medical facilities and hospitals by providing highly qualified providers for filling provider shortage gaps, covering absences, and vacations. Locum jobs have significantly reduced provider stress and decreased the number of provider shortages. But the nature of locum jobs often creates an image that there is inconsistent work, unpredictability, and lack of patient rapport. This post will address 3 misconceptions that often prevent providers from seeking out a more flexible work schedule and lifestyle.

National Locum Tenens Week recognizes physicians who practice locum tenens to meet the needs of patients. This celebration, established by the National Association of Locum Tenens Organization (NALTO), is held during the second full week of August each year. This week, locum tenens physicians and recruiters have an opportunity to share their stories and experiences on a national stage.

For each new assignment, you will need to meet licensing and credentialing requirements. But does paperwork get you down? If licensing and credentialing are taking away from the reasons you love your job and giving you a massive headache, we can help.

A surefire way for providers to know they can trust and work with healthcare recruiters in good faith is by identifying the essential qualities necessary for a mutually beneficial partnership, particularly in the early stages of the recruiting process. 

Getting through the licensing process varies by state and the type of license needed. While some medical boards can deliver licenses within two weeks, larger states could take several months. It's essential to understand the type of license you will need for your assignment. Here is more information regarding the differences between permanent, provisional, and locum tenens licenses.

The physician assistant landscape is continually evolving, offering impressive career growth potential for men and women choosing to enter the field. With PA jobs expected to increase by 31% between 2018 and 2028, the PA industry is primed to grow much faster than average over the next decade. But while more PAs are completing their training, their primary care potential will remain limited as long as PAs remain concentrated in metropolitan areas. Below is a look at the changing role of physician assistants and a look at some of the efforts underway to help PAs address the shortage of primary care doctors.

The physician shortage in the United States is not going away anytime soon. New data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) supports previous estimates, projecting shortfalls between 46,900 and 121,900 doctors by 2032. That means job opportunities will always be abundant, and a career in locum tenens can open doors wherever you want to go—so when looking ahead to future work, the choice is truly yours.

The Association of American Medical Colleges found that, by 2032, the expected shortage of physicians will be around 122,000 professionals. Approximately 65,000 of those will be specialists, while the remaining amount will be primary care physicians. 

For years, some areas have suffered a shortage of physicians. This has been brought about by a combination of factors, including the aging population, general population growth, a lack of capacity at medical schools, and the amount of time it takes for someone to go all the way through the relevant training. 

Right now, there are articles everywhere about telehealth and how those services can benefit your patients. It prevents patients from exposing one another--and, in many cases, employees in your office--to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Not only does it help improve patient outcomes, but telehealth is also actively preferred by a majority of patients. You may already be familiar with the many benefits of telehealth for your patients--but information about the benefits that telehealth can bring to providers and practices is less prevalent.