The start of a new locum tenens contract requires a series of phone calls, emails, and/or texts between you and your consultant — but the close of a contract is just as important and allows you to provide valuable feedback about your experiences. Here are a few key points to discuss.
Overall Impressions
Undoubtedly your consultant has asked about how things are going throughout the contract, but once an assignment wraps up, you have the chance to look back at the experience as a whole. Take a moment to review the various aspects of the assignment.
“I want to know what they thought of the facility. What were their complaints? What were the positive aspects? If I was talking with another provider about the assignment, what would they suggest we discuss?” says John Bonney, a consultant in Weatherby Healthcare’s Durham, N.C., office. “I want to know about the clients, so if we send other locum tenens doctors there for future assignments, we’ll know more about the facility.”
Staff Relations
This is a chance to comment on how you viewed the staffing situation. Instead of focusing on personal interactions, provide observations about any aspect that could affect a locum tenens provider’s ability to care for patients. Feedback on things like support staff availability, including access to specialists, is invaluable. Also, share your thoughts about caseloads, which procedures were in high demand, and any other noteworthy clinical specifics.
“I also ask about the dynamics between the administrators and clinicians. What type of training or orientation was available? Did the hospital have a good system in place so someone new coming in could get up to speed quickly and efficiently?” John adds. “I want to know about anything that might make something difficult a little easier the next time around.”
Community Connections
Simply spending time in a new town, even temporarily, makes you a bit of an expert on that community. You have first-hand knowledge of the social, cultural, and dining possibilities. By sharing where you went and what you did during your time off, your consultant can pass the information along to other locum tenens professionals who agree to future opportunities in the same area.
Ideas for Improvements
One of the benefits of expressing your opinions when you complete locum tenens jobs is that you can offer suggestions. Being a locum tenens physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant means you are the one who undergoes credentialing and orientation, travels and lives in an apartment or hotel, so you have a unique perspective on the process from start to finish. Who better to offer ideas for improvement?
“Experienced locum tenens doctors know what will be beneficial for future assignments,” John says. “Let us know exactly what you’re feeling and thinking. Be very candid. Let us know where we can refine it and do better in order to elevate our Red Ribbon Service.”
