Our nation’s veterans served and sacrificed to protect our freedom. Now they deserve high-quality care, and the Veterans Health Administration provides that to millions of veterans each year.
Today, many physicians and advanced practitioners are feeling drained and in need of a change. Unpredictable schedules and extended hours for consecutive days without time off can leave essential providers at a physical and mental disadvantage. Positions that offer more autonomy can seem impossible to come by and like more of a dream than reality.
When considering taking a locum tenens assignment, there are a few details you must know before making a final decision. The location is only one factor, and speaking to your locum tenens recruiter to gain insight into the other details can help ensure you are properly prepared. Here are the six most important details to review with your recruiter about a potential locum tenens assignment:
A growing number of medical professionals are working locum tenens because of the many benefits it brings. Physicians choose locum tenens as a career path to travel to desirable destinations, give back to rural communities in need, and support our nation’s veterans by delivering excellent healthcare, to name a few. However, as more professionals become interested in locum tenens because of their advantages, it’s also important to know what to expect to determine if working locum tenens is right for you.
In January 2020, the CDC launched an agency-wide response to the COVID-19 virus. Since that time, over 32 million cases in the U.S. alone have resulted in well over half a million deaths to date. This has put tremendous strain on healthcare workers throughout the country.
Professionals in many industries take advantage of their travel jobs by turning required work trips into mini-vacations. While they have to complete their work obligations during the day, they get to spend time exploring new places in their free time. It can be a fun way to gain new experiences and check out other cities if you consider relocation in the future. However, it can be challenging to get a good feel for a place when you are only there for a short time.
With stimulus checks starting to hit bank accounts in March, it's easy to overlook the less exciting annual torture that is tax season at the IRS. At this writing, the IRS has extended the 2020 tax filing deadline, and taxes are due on May 17th. This is an excellent time to remind locum tenens professionals to keep a few things in mind.
In 2019, 85% of healthcare provider groups used locum tenens physicians. With increased patient demand and the American healthcare system being short, almost 122,000 physicians by 2032, the need for locum tenens physicians is in high demand. This working arrangement offers many benefits, such as increased flexibility and more career options.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the healthcare system operates. It's taken a tremendous toll on the many physicians and advanced healthcare practitioners who are responding to the crisis. But the toll goes well beyond the countless hours they've dedicated to helping patients. It also puts an enormous strain on their mental health.
The medical profession can be an exciting, rewarding, but ultimately challenging pursuit. One study found that 42% of doctors experience burnout while performing their daily duties. That's a reasonably high rate. With the constant demands combined with the physical and emotional toll that they experience, it can significantly challenge physicians looking to provide top levels of care. That's why physicians must maintain a positive, resilient attitude in both their personal and professional lives.
