Develop healthy habits, maximize your potential, and make your next locum tenens assignment a success with these four easy tips.
- Be open to new possibilities. You may already have in your mind the perfect assignment, however, do not automatically discount other opportunities that may not perfectly align with that ideal. There are so many variables that make up an assignment, so it can be difficult to find one that checks off all your boxes of requirements. You may have your heart set on working in a large ER in the city with no call, but don’t completely write off that opportunity at the mid-sized hospital a few towns over with a 7-on/7-off schedule. Staying narrow-minded with very specific criteria only means that there will be less opportunities presented to you and you’ll decrease the likelihood of actually going to work.
- Stay flexible. One of the benefits of working locums is practicing in different locations and a variety of settings to help you expand your experience and skillset. On many assignments, you will walk into a new situation or place unfamiliar to you. All facilities do things a little differently so flexibility is a major key to success. You may have limitations as far as what equipment is available to you or you may be unfamiliar with their EMR/EHR of choice. It’s important to adapt quickly and find different ways to still provide care and do your job efficiently.
- Fulfill your obligations. Don’t arrive to your assignment late, or even worse, not at all. If you want to be offered opportunities in the future, it’s important to hold up your end of the bargain. Being unpredictable or unreliable is one of the fastest ways to ensure you won’t be offered or considered for other assignments in the future. On the other side, if you are continuously prompt and seen as someone others can rely on, you will more likely be asked back to a facility when shifts open.
- Always update your CV. As mentioned in 7 Common Locum Tenens Myths Debunked, working several locums assignments can enhance your CV and help you gain a competitive edge. If you are a physician who works many assignments in a year, it can be hard to remember the details of each and every one. To make sure it is always current, update your CV upon completion of each assignment. That way, you’ll be ready to go when you’re presented for your next job.
By following these four key pieces of advice, you can be on your way to achieving success as a locum tenens physician. Looking for a new opportunity? Call us at 800-226-6347 to speak with a knowledgeable Interim Physicians recruiter or visit our jobs page to browse the hottest locums jobs.
