I am board certified anesthesiologist with 21 years experience. From 2009 , I have done part time locums and from 2016 full time locums. This post is to give others who might consider locums. Let me start with the cons first.
1) Locums jobs are usually contracted for 3 months at a time with a 30 day notice to terminate. That means after a few months you are refreshing your CV, collecting new reference letters , one from the chief of the anesthesia department for your next assignment. Also you need case logs, COI etc and any other documents that you are asked to submit. It is a laborious back and fourth between you and the Locum company.
Locum companies first want your CV. The question to ask them is their a definite job and what is the time frame before you get presented to the hospital that you want to work when the need arises. You have to make sure that the Locum companies just don’t collect your CV and not present you. Make sure to get an email with all the details called the submission letter. Do not respond by text messages nor get reassured by telephone conversation.
Specifically let the Locum company know that they need your permission before circulating your CV to any hospital.
Some of the anesthesiologist are hiring professionals (with experience in HR) part time to deal with Locum companies and navigate the privileges and credentials from hospitals, billing paperwork Etc): It’s all about looking good on paper and having the ability to sweet talk
2) With locums you will have to constantly plan your next moves 3-6 months in advance, Which weeks you want to work and when you want off. That means a lot of planning and even when you have done everything, be prepared to not have a Locum work. We are all highly trained and experienced and high achievers and cannot deal with not having that drama/ adrenaline rush
3). Weekends are all occupied as you are traveling, preparing for the week ahead and catching up with chores at the house
Lets assume that you are happy with the Locum job / location and the hospital/group wants to hire you full time, now the Locum company wants your new employer to buy you out. You need to know exactly what that is going to be and make sure you get that worded in the locum contract before starting to work. Some of the Locum start ups will accommodate this buyout clause. Otherwise you may not be able to directly work for the new employer for a period of 2 years
Covid era has put a wrench into the best of your planning. Some anesthesiologists are successfully including 2 months notice for termination related to COVID disruption of OR services
Pros
1). You can decide your schedule and also can decide whether you want to take calls and how many calls etc.. I am not involved nor interested in group politics and not interested in working all holiday weekends etc.
2). You know exactly how many hours you are working. It’s usually 40 hr week. But some negotiate better and get 50 hr guarantee per week. You can negotiate a better rate for overtime etc. Markets vary and it is better to network with other Locum physicians and exchange ideas.
3). Once the Locum company gets to know that you will show up and do your assignment, they keep calling you back with similar. It’s usually the same hospitals that are in remote undesirable areas!
Finally locums is very disruptive to your family. I am seeing anesthesiologists resign who are full partners for decades venting out all their hidden frustrations at toxic work places and starting locums journey. I am sure a lot of our colleagues can add and shed more light on their Locum experiences
1) Locums jobs are usually contracted for 3 months at a time with a 30 day notice to terminate. That means after a few months you are refreshing your CV, collecting new reference letters , one from the chief of the anesthesia department for your next assignment. Also you need case logs, COI etc and any other documents that you are asked to submit. It is a laborious back and fourth between you and the Locum company.
Locum companies first want your CV. The question to ask them is their a definite job and what is the time frame before you get presented to the hospital that you want to work when the need arises. You have to make sure that the Locum companies just don’t collect your CV and not present you. Make sure to get an email with all the details called the submission letter. Do not respond by text messages nor get reassured by telephone conversation.
Specifically let the Locum company know that they need your permission before circulating your CV to any hospital.
Some of the anesthesiologist are hiring professionals (with experience in HR) part time to deal with Locum companies and navigate the privileges and credentials from hospitals, billing paperwork Etc): It’s all about looking good on paper and having the ability to sweet talk
2) With locums you will have to constantly plan your next moves 3-6 months in advance, Which weeks you want to work and when you want off. That means a lot of planning and even when you have done everything, be prepared to not have a Locum work. We are all highly trained and experienced and high achievers and cannot deal with not having that drama/ adrenaline rush
3). Weekends are all occupied as you are traveling, preparing for the week ahead and catching up with chores at the house
Lets assume that you are happy with the Locum job / location and the hospital/group wants to hire you full time, now the Locum company wants your new employer to buy you out. You need to know exactly what that is going to be and make sure you get that worded in the locum contract before starting to work. Some of the Locum start ups will accommodate this buyout clause. Otherwise you may not be able to directly work for the new employer for a period of 2 years
Covid era has put a wrench into the best of your planning. Some anesthesiologists are successfully including 2 months notice for termination related to COVID disruption of OR services
Pros
1). You can decide your schedule and also can decide whether you want to take calls and how many calls etc.. I am not involved nor interested in group politics and not interested in working all holiday weekends etc.
2). You know exactly how many hours you are working. It’s usually 40 hr week. But some negotiate better and get 50 hr guarantee per week. You can negotiate a better rate for overtime etc. Markets vary and it is better to network with other Locum physicians and exchange ideas.
3). Once the Locum company gets to know that you will show up and do your assignment, they keep calling you back with similar. It’s usually the same hospitals that are in remote undesirable areas!
Finally locums is very disruptive to your family. I am seeing anesthesiologists resign who are full partners for decades venting out all their hidden frustrations at toxic work places and starting locums journey. I am sure a lot of our colleagues can add and shed more light on their Locum experiences
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