It’s understandable to be anxious about your life as a new physician, especially with so many stories about how challenging and stressful it can be to live out your career as a medical professional. Many physicians end up with hectic schedules with a lack of flexibility, hindering their overall work-life balance.
Many doctors prefer life as a locum tenens professional over a traditional career. This is because locum tenens allows doctors to live out a different version of the same career with positive results. But, of course, it’s not easy to be successful as a first-timer, so you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.
- First and foremost, ensure you get the help of a top-quality recruiter
One of the first things to consider is getting the help of locum tenens companies with your best interests at heart. Finding the best recruiter might seem challenging, but it’s easier than you think.
A top-quality recruiter is crucial because they control how you get assignments. So if you’re interested in the more remote assignments that pay more, it’s a good idea to go for locum tenens recruiters with many assignments to choose from. The first and most important step is to get the help of such a recruiter. Once you’ve done that, everything else will fall into place with no issues.
- Get the hang of a traveler’s lifestyle
In fairness, most assignments will have you staying in one area for at least a few months. However, some assignments can last a year or two, so you’ll be traveling less than you might expect. That said, getting yourself used to the traveler’s mindset and lifestyle is crucial.
While some people might not be too happy traveling from place to place for their work, others see it as a dream come true. It all depends on your preferences and what you’re willing to put up with for the sake of your career. You’ll need to get used to the traveler’s lifestyle to take locum tenens seriously.
- Getting used to facility politics
One way to help ensure that each assignment is smooth involves studying the facility and its many requirements. For example, some facilities will have different dress codes than others and a different way of getting the job done. It’s a good idea to read up as much as possible on the documents the recruiter provided to ensure that things go smoothly during your assignment.
While you might not have to do administrative work as a locum tenens physician, it’s not a bad idea to go the extra mile to impress your new coworkers. But, of course, try not to get too carried away.
There are many ways of handling a locum tenens assignment, and it’s all about the mindset. First, ensure that you’re prepared to handle the traveler’s lifestyle and read up on the necessary documents. Then, with the help of a proper recruiter, it’ll be much easier to accomplish your goals.
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