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[/custom_frame_center] In previous blogs, we’ve discussed setting goals, reevaluating your career and expectations. So now that we are halfway through the calendar year, how are you doing so far? We spoke with an American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology diplomate, Dr. Ganim, who accepted his first locum tenens position a year and a half ago in New York. In a review of his time in that employment, Ganim looks back at his experience so far.
Q. What kind of position did you have before going to locum tenens?
A. A regular employee full-time job with very little flexibility.
Q. What do you love best about being a locum tenens?
A. In short…freedom! The freedom that you can try multiple different jobs, be in charge of your own schedule and switch it up as often or as little as you want, including
different cities or states. You can’t get that from a permanent job.
Q. How well do locum tenens positions work in facilities? What are the success rates?
A. I have seen it at some of the facilities where I work and it seems to work out better for some than others. I’m not sure of the magic formula, but some facilities are just used to having multiple people pass through, and others seem to hold locums for several months at a time; but it seems to work out in the end.
Q. Would you recommend a short- or long-term locum tenens position?
A. It really depends upon the long- or short-term goals of the individual contractor. I think both can work great. Many times the long term ones lead into permanent positions with benefits. But sometimes the short-term ones are good for someone trying to figure out what kind of practice they may want in the future.
Q. What are the best benefits for a facility?
A. It is obviously good to have a permanent physician who is long-term at facilities for the continuity of patient care, but it is also important to note that patients change facilities very often and it is important to keep the facilities staffed regularly. That is where locum tenens can come in to help fill the needs and gaps, especially when physicians are sick, on vacation or moving.
Q. What do others probably not realize about being a locum tenens?
A. I don’t think most people realize the freedom and benefits it allows you to choose jobs in different settings that they would never have heard of otherwise.
Q. What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a locum tenens?
A. Maybe the fear or unknown job security. I suspect people maybe think there is no security or regularity with this type of work.
Q. How did FCS benefit you in the placement process?
A. They helped advocate the days and hours I wanted and expedited the credentialing for me.
Q. How has your locum tenens position differed from what you expected?
A. You have to just get used to tabulating your own hours and days, something you have to be organized and on-point to do, but it’s fairly easy.
Q. What was your favorite thing about working with a recruiter?
A. The work they do in finding jobs that fit my description and in locations that I prefer and the constant updates they give me in terms of possibilities.
Q. Do you think you’ll stay with your locum tenens position long term? If not, what’s next for you?
A. Most likely I will be with them for a while. The flexibility and freedom to choose multiple different jobs is too great to give up.
FCS has over 25 years experience in Psychiatric Recruitment. Employers and employees are encouraged to browse our website for job opportunities, CV submission, recruitment assistance and more.
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By Melissa Baysinger
