Maybe you’ve been contemplating cutting back hours at work, or maybe you’re disagreeing with the other physicians in your practice and wondering whether it’s time to strike out on your own. Perhaps you’ve thought about locum tenens but aren’t sure whether your schedule will accommodate it.
Factoring in your work situation is important, as is your personality, when deciding to make a change. Here are a few ways to know whether locum tenens jobs are right for you.
You Are Tired of Running a Practice
Paying rent or investing in building renovations, upgrading software and EMR systems, purchasing supplies, and managing schedules and paychecks can be costly and exhausting. It’s also hard to manage a practice when you disagree with your partners or are trying to find another physician to join you when your colleague retires. If you dread the administrative side of your job, it may be time to take a locum tenens assignment elsewhere and leave these concerns to the hospital administrators.
You’re Itching to See the Country
Whether you’ve just finished residency and want to explore the United States before choosing a permanent home or have lived in one state your whole life and need a change of pace, the travel bug is a major reason for taking locum tenens jobs. You can choose assignments that are just hours from your home or fly across the country to take a job; how far you want to travel is up to you. Locum tenens jobs are a good way to live in a city or state for a short time to see whether you’d really enjoy the lifestyle, culture and climate.
You Are Making a Big Change in Your Life
Many physicians decide to switch up their work settings or schedules when other life factors come into play, such as divorce, marriage, retirement, parenthood and death of a spouse. Other doctors want to travel once their children are in college or have the flexibility to take care of aging parents. Whatever the case, locum tenens jobs are a great way to get away from home and switch things up when you’re facing a lot of other changes.
You Love Meeting New People
If you find you’re most invigorated when you’re in new situations and getting to know new people, locum tenens jobs are probably a great fit for you. Once you’re licensed and credentialed and have a short orientation under your belt, you’ll jump right into work and immediately have a brand-new staff and set of patients to get to know. You’ll have the opportunity to make lasting friendships that continue long after you’ve left the facility.
You Want to Feel You’re Making a Difference
Locum tenens jobs are available in every state, but opportunities in rural areas are especially plentiful — and often hard to fill. Physicians who accept these positions and those through Indian Health Services provide care for those who otherwise might have to travel for miles to receive it. Every locum tenens job can be rewarding, but choosing a job in a hard-to-staff place can give you a great sense of satisfaction knowing you’ve made a different to the people living there.
Do you feel you’re up to the challenge? Check out our open locum tenens jobs — and read 10 Things to Ask Yourself Before Working Locum Tenens for more tips on preparing for these opportunities.
