Locum Tenens Tips

5 Ways to Prepare for Locum Tenens Next Year

Woman writing resolutions for locum tenens

Woman writing resolutions for locum tenensCan you believe the calendar says “December” already? That means 2015 is winding down, and a new year is fast approaching. ‘Tis the season to indulge in a little nostalgia and look back at your locum tenens jobs over the past 12 months.

A “year in review,” however, serves a bigger purpose than merely a sentimental journey. It can also be a useful tool for setting future goals. So take a few moments to remember your 2015 locum tenens experiences, determine what you’d like to do in 2016, and identify the steps necessary to get there.

Get Your CV in Order

An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) is one of the best ways to match your skills with those required by facilities requesting locum tenens professionals. Ideally, you’ve been updating your CV after each assignment. If you haven’t, there’s no better time than the present to get started. Make sure to add each practice experience you’ve had this year, locum tenens and otherwise. Include each facility’s name and pertinent data along with contract start and end dates.

And as long as you’re reviewing your CV, update your training or continuing education, licenses, and certifications. Also, note any professional highlights, such as papers published or presentations given this year.

Update Your References

Of course it makes sense to add coworkers from recent locum tenens assignments to your list of professional references, but take the time to do a little housekeeping. Double check the contact information is still valid for each entry. Also, remove any references who may no longer be available to speak on your behalf.

Gather Tax Information

April 15 is months away yet, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about your tax returns. Remember, locum tenens professionals are not employees, and therefore, you’re responsible for paying any state and federal taxes for income earned on assignment. If this was your first year accepting temporary positions, give your tax preparer a heads-up about this change in income sources. Or, inquire about referrals for tax specialists who are well-versed in locum tenens specifics.

In the meantime, study up by checking out the Weatherby Healthcare blog posts with tax points for locum tenens professionals, including 7 Tips for Filing Multiple State Tax Returns and Locum Tenens Tax Tips: Mileage and Vehicle Deductions.

Evaluate Your Assignment Preferences

Where did you work locum tenens jobs in 2015? Were your choices based on location? Did you purposely seek out mid-sized or large acute care facilities instead of rural clinics or office-based practices? Maybe the contracts you accepted were simply based on what was presented to you.

Regardless of the methodology behind your assignment selection, consider what you liked about each experience, such as setting type or community size. Now, use that information to create an outline of the type of locum tenens opportunities you’d prefer to accept next year. Do you want to round out your résumé with practice experiences in different types of facilities? Or, would you rather concentrate on a certain practice profile?

If you’d like to be presented for positions in other states, let your consultant know so he or she can connect you with Weatherby Healthcare’s licensing experts. Together, you can get the licensure process under way.

Assess Your Time Commitment

Part of the beauty of incorporating locum tenens into your professional life is that you determine your schedule. Some clinicians accept assignment after assignment so locum tenens becomes a full-time career. Other physicians may use temporary positions to supplement existing commitments or as a means to stay current while enjoying semi-retirement.

Now, forecast your availability in the coming months. Perhaps circumstances will allow for a more open schedule in 2016 to fill in with contracts, or vice versa. Would shorter assignments work better for you than those lasting a few weeks? Whatever your situation, be sure to clue in your consultant on any changes that may affect your flexibility to accept opportunities.

Finally, remember your consultant is your partner in locum tenens, so renew your resolve to maintain open communication with him or her.

About the author

Anne Baye Ericksen

Anne Baye Ericksen is a journalist and locum tenens subject-matter expert with more than two decades of experience. She was a regular contributor to LocumLife, Healthcare Traveler and Healthcare Staffing and Management Solutions magazines.

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