During my three years recruiting for the Marine Corps, I was approached and asked many different questions. “What can be done to ensure my entry into the Marines?” and “How do I set myself up for success to join the Marine Corps?” were two common questions from people of all ages. Whether a person had just started high school, was midway through high school, or in college or part of the work force, I had a different answer for different stages of life.
I enjoy being able to share information that I know will help set people up for success. I want to share information I’ve learned over the past year that I think will be most beneficial for a physician looking into or thinking about pursuing a locum tenens opportunity.
Below is a check list of items that are beneficial for a physician to have on hand to make the process of transitioning into locum tenens faster and smoother. I’ve found that having one big file with all of these documents have proven to be the best way.
- Current and updated CV
- Medical school diploma
- Residency certificate
- Board certification
- Medical licenses
- Other certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS, etc.)
- Certificates of insurance
This list is not everything that is required to help the credentialing process along, but these are some documents that will make up the bulk of the information needed. I’ve found the last document is most beneficial to have on hand. Keeping records of your past work experience, especially if you’re going to go from one location to another, is key in working a locum tenens opportunity.
Another thing to remember about locum tenens opportunities is that they’re not a long term commitment. Sometimes physicians can get wrapped around the idea of not liking a particular position because of where it is or because it is lacking in a particular area. Whether you need a job for steady income or you just want to make some extra money on the side, it’s easier to be open-minded about a position rather than dismiss it because it doesn’t have every little thing you are looking for.
I know there are a lot of locum tenens physicians out there and there have been for quite some time. Within this past year though, I’ve found myself explaining exactly what locums is or what the benefits are to physicians more so than them being knowledgeable about the topic. All in all, I feel locum tenens is very beneficial as long as you have an open mind and are fully prepared to take the journey.
Jon Clay started with Aureus Medical Group in February 2013. He works as a Physician Search Consultant for the Physicians Division, actively recruiting and maintaining relationships with physicians in order to place them in locum tenens or permanent placement. In his free time, Jon enjoys singing, working out/running, and spending time with friends.