Locum Story: Long-Term Strategic Partners in Healthcare

14 June 2024

This job of Locum Tenens was initiated as a makeshift policy to meet temporary doctor and staffing shortages.

Slowly, career opportunities emerged as one of the medical professional’s top career choices. In this article, we bring into the discussion table the demand for locums and the expectations of new job seekers in the next few years.

Locum Tenens: How Common Is It?

Locum tenens is, without doubt, a fast-growing segment in the healthcare industry. However, many of the largest facilities and practices in the USA have leveraged the efficacy of locum job placement. They incorporate these positions into their staffing models.

Although the concept of the modern locum tenens dates back to the early 1970s, since there is no turning back, the sector is managing a dream run of growth.

About 7% of physicians in the US have associated themselves with the locum tenens position within the last year.

Moreover, almost 85% of facilities are integrating temporary service providers. In the last decade, the number of locum tenens doctors has sharply increased. The rate of increase is massive( 90%). Hence, you can understand how common it is the concept of employment in the US medical sector.

The Future of Locum Tenens

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the move towards gig work and contracting has grossly affected the entire healthcare industry. Moreover, spending on locum tenens increased drastically by 28% in the year 2021.

Almost 60% of healthcare funds go towards inducting self-employed practitioners. The Association of American Medical Colleges conjectures that the shortfall of healthcare professionals will approach 140,000 by 2033.

The situation brings with it waves of concerns for the vulnerable aging population and also the medical workforce. The locum tenens positions address the shortfall, as well as providing patients with healthcare requirements.

Why Are Locum Tenens Jobs in Demand?

Recent data exposes some of the most concerning and surprising trends among physicians. They include those who are looking for contract-based positions.

Furthermore, the reports also bring to the forefront the reasons behind healthcare professionals’ preference towards short-term placements.

According to a survey, 60% of the respondents opine that they are looking for new positions. Moreover, nearly 25% of physicians under the age group of 40 opine that they are avoiding long-term or permanent positions due to burnout.

Moreover, after the pandemic, the healthcare sector faced an enduring staffing shortage. Consequently, stakeholders feel pressure from within.

Under such serious circumstances, the locum tenens has emerged as a viable alternative for physicians and other healthcare professionals who want to be engaged in the workforce but on their terms.

Work-life balance

Locum tenens offers a degree of flexibility not found in full-time healthcare positions. Temporary placements allow physicians to experience a range of environments and demographics while setting schedules that work for them.

Everyone knows that the present world of professionalism is grappling with issues like work-life balance and increasing stress. Organizational management, especially in the medical field, is looking to work on coping with immense pressure. Locus tenens provides an advantage. Professionals who aim to attain work-life balance are looking for locums job placement.

Better pay

Competitive pay is another driver of locum tenens growth. Moreover, the temporary healthcare positions may culminate in the form of 50% more payment compared to the comparable full-time placements.

As a result, it allows the healthcare profession to earn more money while working with flexibility. Temporary employees are responsible for health insurance and retirement planning, which can erode some of those profits.

These are a few reasons attributed to the increasing popularity of locum tenens positions in the healthcare industry. With a more equitable work-life balance, better pay, and, most importantly, less stress, it brings multiple benefits. Hence, it becomes easy to say why so many doctors are entering the locum tenens position.

A Hassle-Free Career

One key benefit of the locum tenens job is a hassle-free career. When professionals have this job, there are zero teaching and administrative responsibilities. Furthermore, there are zero coding and billing hassles or, say, staff management issues.

Experts say that the care providers who embrace this approach reap the benefits. Here, the professionals get much better flexibility from the hospitals. As a result, the job becomes much more stressful and hassle-free.

Freedom To Travel

The locum tenens are best known for their freedom of travel. This recruitment approach allows doctors to engage in multiple healthcare bodies, and that too in different places.

If you can visit multiple places and seek new career opportunities, you have flexibility and freedom. This is, without question, one of the prime benefits that healthcare professionals get.

Pre Retirement planning

One of the benefits linked to locum tenens is pre-retirement planning. Some doctors have retired from their full-time jobs but still want to engage in practice.

This approach to service best suits these professionals. These professionals are looking to finish their medical careers with locum work.

Many seasoned medical professionals have retired from full-time engagements. They suggest that they have made the right decision by engaging in part-time jobs at different care units. They say that the flexibility of the work structure provides them with the edge.

Read More: Healthcare Jobs That Will Be Most in Demand 2020–2025

Managing the Debts

Another core benefit of locum tenens is working with new doctors. The respectable earnings from the job help one manage debt while studying in medical school.

Even the National Association of Tenens Organization(NALTO) says that an individual can get two ways to manage their student loans.

They think that the students are using different ways to pay back their along with the flexibility that they are getting from the hospitals. Working in the locum tenens allows them to provide coverage for weekends or months. The opportunities are quite enticing.

Change Will Keep Coming—Are You Ready For It?

Locum Tenens has grown into a nationwide, multibillion-dollar industry used by nearly 90% of America’s healthcare facilities. In every state, thousands of providers accept temporary placements every year, ensuring that people in underserved communities get the medical care they need.

Though locum tenens has a short history compared to that of other industries, it offers a reliable, sustainable staffing solution in areas lacking access to healthcare.

With locum tenens, we can build a healthier, safer society. If you’re considering a career change, accepting a temporary position may be just the push you need.

Read Also:

Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

View all posts

Top 7 Reasons the Medical Field Will Always Be In Demand

Humans have always had to face illness, from the dawn of civilization onward to today. We’ve faced plague, chronic illness, sudden disease, injury, and more at the hands of other humans and natural processes. The unfortunate reality for us is that our mortality also means facing some of life’s most difficult challenges, and facing sickness is something none of us want to do. The healthcare field exists to help with those illnesses, providing treatment, recovery, and support. Why will the medical field always be in demand? 1. Unfortunately, Sickness Will Always Be A Reality: Some of the oldest diseases to plague mankind date back to about 8,000 B.C.E., long before humans ever stepped foot on the moon or discovered antibiotics. As long as there have been microbes and animals for them to attach to, there has been illness. The unfortunate truth for us is that illness and disease will always be a part of human life, short of a sci-fi-esque superpower that prevents all illnesses. Where there is an illness, there needs to be care—and our healthcare providers are there to provide it. There will always be jobs in the field. Even during economic downturns, people still get sick. New jobs open up as technology advances and healthcare techniques evolve. Even as things like AI and machine learning come into play, you simply can’t replace the people that operate on the frontlines of our healthcare industry, providing more than just care and medical knowledge to patients. 2. It Takes A Certain Kind Of Person To Do Specific Jobs In The Field: The truth about working in healthcare is that it’s simply not for everyone. Some jobs involve long hours, stressful environments, and can even expose you to potentially harmful conditions. Let’s take our frontline workers during the pandemic, for example. We’ve all seen the pictures on social media and in the news of healthcare workers with marks on their faces from wearing masks for hours on end, their tired eyes looking at us mournfully to please follow COVID guidelines. Working in such an environment isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It takes a certain kind of compassion and empathy to put yourself at risk to help others. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with not wanting to do that—it’s just not something that everyone can be happy about doing on a daily basis. This does create a certain demand, however. Since not just anyone can jump into scrubs and work a 12-hour shift in a hospital, there are often openings in the field. Not every job will require such dedication and personal risk, but you get the point. 3. The Industry Is Always Growing And Changing: As we learn to better understand the human body, disease, and illness, the healthcare industry evolves and changes. We’ve come a long way from the Greek theory of four humors, but that doesn’t mean we know everything, or will ever know everything. What it does mean is that there will always be new kinds of jobs added to the healthcare field as new technology and methods emerge. Even as AI becomes more prevalent in a number of industries, something like healthcare needs people. AI simply can’t match the caring, compassionate nature of an actual person providing care to someone who’s sick. It can’t console a family when their loved one is diagnosed with cancer. It can’t hold their hand while they undergo a serious operation. The bottom line is that the industry will always change and evolve, adding new jobs and techniques, but it will always need people. People are the core of the healthcare industry. 4. Training Is Becoming More Streamlined: The industry becomes more and more competitive as training programs become more streamlined. Now, you can complete training for certain positions entirely online. This leaves more flexibility and inclusivity in the industry, but can also mean more competition. You can obtain a medical billing and coding certification online in just under a year, setting you up to enter the field very quickly. But remember that others are also taking that path, potentially blocking you from your career if you’re not doing something that helps you stand out. 5. Not Every Job Requires A Degree: When you think of healthcare, you automatically think of doctors and nurses in scrubs and white lab coats, but the truth is, there are thousands of healthcare jobs out there, and many don’t require a degree. You can become a medical biller/coder/pharmacy tech or even a dental assistant without a degree. You’ll need to get certified and complete a training program, but you won’t be in a college setting for years on end, and you won’t be thousands in debt at the end of the program. A course in Basic Life Support (BLS) can be attended online, providing you with a legitimate certificate afterward. 6. We’re Unhealthy: The truth is that the United States is not a healthy nation. Heart disease is still the number one killer of adults in the US and in many parts of the world, and things like smoking, poor eating habits, and lethargic lifestyles contribute to this pandemic. We don’t eat well, many of us don’t get enough exercise, and we practice poor stress management habits; all of which contribute to poor public health. We like to think we’re number one at a lot of things, but the sad fact is that we only fall at about 35 on the world scale when it comes to health and healthcare. 35th place is far from being a winner. 7. The Pandemic Has Shown Us Its Shortcomings: If there’s any sort of “silver lining” in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, it’s that the sudden onslaught of the disease has brought into sharp focus the glaring problems that exist in our current healthcare system. The bottom line? We don’t have the right infrastructure, enough dedicated people, or a good insurance system to care for our citizens. We need people who are compassionate and willing to put themselves at personal risk for others, and that’s rare enough nowadays. Read Also: Ensuring Quality Healthcare with Correct Diagnoses Seeking a Healthy Career: 10 Tempting Medical Careers to Check Out

Can A Developer Be A Scrum Master?

The Scrum Master is a bridge between a planner and an implementer. So, you can say everyone is on the same tier. But a software developer has some special technical skills that help him become a Scrum Master easier than others. Moreover, an excellent Scrum Master has all the skills and capabilities to lead the team to achieve their goals effectively. Hence, if a Developer wants to become a Scrum Master, he/she needs to achieve the following things. Scrum Master Training: No matter how skilled a Developer you are and how much practice you have done as a Scrum Master, you still need to get the Scrum Master training. The training will help you learn the basics of the Scrum Framework and other fundamentals that help build leadership quality. Being a Software Developer, you already have some skills. So, it will be easier for the Developer to achieve the training and be a Scrum Master. Organization Skills: Another essential skill that a Software Developer needs to gain to become a Scrum Master is organization skills. This will help to learn the strategy building and implementing the team in the right direction. Moreover, it helps the individual to keep everything organized and up to the mark. A Software Developer cum Scrum Master will get the plus point in having these skills, so they do not need to pass through particular training to learn these skills. The Scrum Master will be responsible for leading the team and managing the projects easily. With these capabilities, you will be able to step towards the Scrum Master successfully. Technical Formalities: The most crucial role of the Scrum Master is to find real-time and better strategies to divert the team in the pathway of achieving the goals. That's why it is crucial to learn some technical formalities before you take your step towards the Scrum Master. But if you are a Software Developer, you already have the skills of technical formalities. The technical formalities will strengthen the team. This will also help learn how to develop the software that helps lead the Agile team more easily. Soft Skills: It's easy to keep a check on the hard skills. Soft skills are also essential for the Software Developer, from finding the right resume to building the characteristic that is difficult to define. Besides that, Soft Skills will also help in becoming the best Scrum Master. The skills may include the following things, which are as follows: Coaching and Teaching Skills: A large part of the Scrum Master is based on teaching and coaching skills. This will help the team learn the skills essential for leading the team which is new to the Scrum Master field. Learning the teaching skills will also help in understanding the weakness and strengthening point. Moreover, this will help me to become a great coach as well. Conflict Simplification: The Scrum Master can resolve the conflicts between the team. If any disagreement arises in the team, the Scrum Master will help to fix them on time. This will be potentially helpful in progressing the team and achieve the team goals accurately. With the right type of learning and coaching from the Certified Scrum Master course, a Developer can learn the skills and achieve the goals accurately. Learn the Capability to Lead the Team: The Developers who gain the Scrum Master training will have the best leadership quality in them. Moreover, they will be able to make a decision quickly and efficiently. This will help to keep things organized and improve the productivity of the team as well. Leadership is all about managing the entire team and implementing the skills to perform best. Being a Developer, you already have this quality in you. With these essential skills, you will be able to become a Certified Scrum Master. Conclusion: A Certified Scrum Master plays a unique role in leading business organizations. They have the capability of team development and are the Product Owner at the same time. It's a capability of self-management. That's why a Developer can also be a Scrum Master because they already have half of the skills, making them the best leader and leading the team productively. Read Also: 6 Tips for Effective Crisis Management Tips for Building Relationships with Senior Managers WordPress Developer: Job Profile and Key Responsibilities in 2020

How To Become A Midwife In 2024: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Are you considering a career as a midwife or nurse? Learn about the various facets of the field, such as typical responsibilities and certification needs, by using this guide. This article also includes information on typical program durations, skills acquired as a nurse midwife, and educational requirements for midwifery schooling. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the first six weeks after giving birth are the main areas of focus for midwives. Due to the more personal experience that midwives can offer. Expectant people frequently choose to work with them. For example, some midwives in private practice can provide specialized services, such as home births. Studies indicate that individuals who receive care under a midwife-led model also experience improved health outcomes, reduced need for interventions, and greater satisfaction. In addition, a lot of midwives work in hospitals, obstetrician and gynecologist offices, and birthing centers. Primary care for expectant patients, physical examinations, creating patient care plans, and educating the public about birth options are among the duties. Here is everything you need to know about how to become a midwife How To Become a Midwife? To pursue a career as a nurse midwife, students must first obtain a registered nurse (RN) license, which calls for either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN). A BSN is necessary to pursue advanced degrees, even though an ADN is a minimal requirement to become an RN. A master's degree in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate is required for students interested in advanced nurse midwife positions to become certified nurse midwives (CNM). Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are what CNMs are. If you want to know about the duration of each degree, exam, and licensing requirements, we have all the information here. Keep reading to know all about how to become a midwife. Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing More opportunities are available, and leadership skills can be developed with a four-year BSN program than with an associate degree. Nonetheless, students who wish to start their careers quickly might want to think about getting an ADN. Students who complete an ADN program in just two years are eligible for a state license. An accelerated BSN can provide a quicker route to a nurse-midwifery degree for students who already hold a bachelor's degree or have college experience in another field. If you want to enter directly into midwifery without a degree as a nurse, then you can skip this step and go for the same certification exam that nurse-midwifery graduates take. Here is how to become a midwife without a nursing degree. Pass the NCLEX If you are wondering how to become a midwife, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) after completing a BSN program to start working in entry-level nursing positions. There are eight subcategories and four main categories in this exam. Up to 145 questions in a variable question format are possible on the NCLEX. Gain experience Prior to admission, most graduate-level nursing programs require at least one to two years of clinical experience. Practical experience is beneficial when applying to selective graduate programs. Before earning degrees as certified nurse midwives and additional licensure, nurses often work as RNs. They can possess the authority and knowledge required for advanced practice roles because of their experience. To get ready for their future positions as CNMs, nurses can obtain additional certifications during this time. For example, the National Certification Corporation certifies registered nurses in neonatal intensive care. This credential requires passing an exam as well as one year of professional experience. This will further strengthen nurses' abilities with newborn infants. Experience is a crucial factor if you are curious about how to become a midwife. Enroll for the nursing midwifery program While part-time students may complete their degree in as little as five years, those interested in a career in midwifery should anticipate earning their MSN in two years with full-time attendance. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can be obtained by students in three to four years, although an MSN is a minimum requirement for CNMs. Part-time options, which can take up to seven years, are also offered by universities. Students can choose the population as well as topics they wish to concentrate on with a DNP. APRN licensure and specialty certification Students enrolled in advanced nurse-midwifery programs are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for the specialty. A practitioner's national certification by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) attests to their expert knowledge and ability to care for patients. Students must hold an unrestricted RN license and graduate from an institution recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education to be eligible. Every five years, CNMs are required to reapply for certification. Nurse midwives can apply for an APRN license in their state after passing their certification exam. Each state has different licensing requirements. Start looking for a position RNs should think about the population they want to work with to identify the facilities that will best advance their careers. According to BLS projections, there will be a 45% rise in the demand for midwives between 2020 and 2030. Students should, however, consider elements like credentials and experiences that can help them stand out from the competition. Midwife Schooling An MSN is the minimal degree required for certified nurse midwives. Students should be aware that the length of time required to become a nurse midwife varies depending on the level of training and experience required. The coursework, average program lengths, and admission requirements are described in the sections that follow. BSN The first step towards becoming a midwife should be obtaining a BSN, as this degree prepares graduates for an MSN. Graduates of ADN programs can also obtain an RN license. Moreover, to obtain an MSN, practitioners must consider alternate bridge programs. Admission Criteria: 2.5 GPA, CV, essay, and two to three recommendation letters Program Curriculum: Basics of caregiving and beginning science and math classes may be covered in the courses. In addition, clinical field experiences are required of students. Time Required: Four years of consistent attendance Acquired Skills: Students gain leadership, management, as well as evidence-based practice skills and learn how to treat patients from various communities. MSN The minimal qualification needed to work as a nurse midwife, or CNM, is an MSN. Since this degree takes less time than a DNP, practitioners obtain it to begin their careers as midwives. Admission Criteria: 3.0 GPA, resume, three recommendation letters, RN license, and some schools' requests for GRE results are the requirements. Program Curriculum: Patient advocacy and clinical leadership are prioritized in MSN programs. Gynecologic health, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, and healthcare ethics are among the possible course topics. For students to be eligible for licensure, clinical experience is required. Time Required: Two years of full-time attendance. Accelerated bridge programs may be available to ADN holders. Acquired Skills: Students enhance their clinical leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal communication abilities. Doctor of Nursing Practice Candidates for DNP programs must have an MSN from an approved university to be eligible. In certain nurse-midwifery programs, students can earn both a master's and a doctorate in three years by completing a bridge program that combines their MSN and DNP requirements. DNP holders give themselves a distinct advantage as subject-matter experts in the marketplace. Admission Criteria: Minimum 3.0 GPA, unencumbered RN license, GRE results, and clinical experience with the target population are required. Program Curriculum: Women's health maintenance and restoration on their own are among the objectives. Clinical experiences and the science of healthcare delivery may be covered in courses. Time Required: Three years of consistent full-time attendance Acquired Skills: Students here gain an advanced clinical introduction to research methods to improve patient outcomes. Nurse Midwife Credentials After completing nursing school, CNMs can obtain a state license as well as national certification, proving they meet the legal requirements to practice. Additionally, graduates must obtain American Midwifery Certification from the AMCB. This certification verifies to patients and employers that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and abilities in midwifery. Moreover, certification enables CNMs to apply for state licensure. Certifications To legally practice midwifery, a certified nurse midwife must obtain certification. The AMCB establishes the minimal requirements for midwifery practitioners and grants the CNM credential. Moreover, prospective CNMs need to have clinical experience. They must be proficient in handling STDs, assisting with childbirth, offering reproductive care, and caring for women's health. In addition, qualified candidates must possess an unrestricted RN license and an advanced nursing degree from an accredited program. Candidates must finish a four-hour computer-based exam at a testing location that has been authorized. There are 175 multiple-choice questions on the test. Licensure RN and APRN licenses are the two state-level licenses required for CNMs. State-specific requirements for APRN licensure and RN licensure differ. Each applicant for an RN license must have either an associate or bachelor's degree. To be eligible for graduate school, nurses who aspire to become advanced licensed practitioners should select a bachelor's degree. Occasionally, states release a list of accredited programs with a thorough curriculum and the required number of clinical hours for RN candidates to obtain licensure. Candidates must also pass the NCLEX-RN. State boards that oversee nursing licenses typically charge an application fee and demand a background check. After receiving a graduate degree, a prospective CNM can apply for an APRN license. They should be licensed registered nurses (RNs) and can earn a master's or doctorate in nursing. For these nurses to be eligible for APRN licensure, they typically need to obtain a certification in a specialized field. APRNs need a state license to practice nurse-midwifery. When choosing a school, students should check the requirements set forth by their state since every state board of nursing has minimum requirements. Before applying for a certificate of authority, candidates should first obtain their AMCB certification. Moreover, the renewal process varies depending on the state. For example, in odd-numbered years, some states might mandate renewal every two years. Becoming a Nurse Midwife in Practice In order to help them network and find employment after completing their nursing and midwifery degrees, students might want to think about developing relationships during clinical and fieldwork. Reaching out to practices before graduation or volunteering could be another tactic. According to BLS data, the average salary for nurse midwives is $114,210. Students ought to research the typical income in their county or state, though. Hospitals (State, Local, and Private) CNMs work with physicians to provide nonsurgical family planning methods and provide primary care for expectant patients. Birthing Facilities CNMs support laboring individuals emotionally, help parents with labor, and keep an eye out for any complications. Clinics for Public Health CNMs lower the incidence of unfavorable outcomes like preterm birth and stillbirth. They can investigate healthcare disparities, including how nurses can address differences in infant mortality. They oversee programs that advance women's health. How Much Does a Midwife Earn? When asking "how to become a midwife,” you may also ask "how much does a midwife make?" Now that you know what kind of education and training a midwife requires, here is a little detail on midwives' salary scope. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that midwives in typical work environments, such as doctor's offices, hospitals, schools, and local government establishments, earn an average of $77,510 to $171,239 per year. The highest-paid midwives are said to work in outpatient care facilities, where their annual salary is $153,310. The geographic location of a midwife can also affect their pay. The following states have the highest rates of midwife employment and mean yearly salaries: California: $169,530 New York: $126,610 Florida: $97,690 Texas: $93,280 Minnesota: $116,780 These rates reflect the general need for midwives in these areas, the cost of living, as well as the standard of living. Wrapping Up Even though job security might be desirable, you should think about a lot more factors before accepting a position in the healthcare industry—or any field, really. It's important to consider if becoming a midwife is in line with your values as well as aspirations. Determine your areas of interest and consider whether becoming a midwife would be a rewarding career choice for you. If your response to the previous question is yes, then you should consider whether you would be prepared to devote the necessary years of study and training to become a licensed midwife. It will take about seven years to finish your training with a bachelor's degree as well as a foundational master's degree. What kind of midwife you want to become is something else to think about. The route that leads to becoming a CNM will yield greater advantages, particularly regarding your desired practice location. As was previously mentioned, CNMs have a lot more options. But the training you get will be far more thorough. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to become a midwife, then please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Learn More About: Therapist Or Psychiatrist: Which One Is Right For You? How To Become A Physician Assistant In 7 Years Or Less Is Medical Specialities A Good Career Path? – 12 Best Jobs

Locum Story: Long-Term Strategic Partners in Healthcare

Locum Tenens: How Common Is It?

The Future of Locum Tenens