Locum Agencies: Benefiting Doctors and Medical Establishments Alike
There are only a few sectors which have the luxury to appoint locum staff, in other words, fill up temporary vacancies rendered on account of the current staff taking a long term break from work owing to sickness, an emergency, vacation or for any other purpose. Locum tenens are engaged to fill in the positions thus rendered vacant. Problems of understaffing and recruitment emergencies encountered are thus met in this way. A new medical facility that has just opened its doors may find it difficult to arrange for experienced staff on board. This is where locum agencies can step in with their experience and expertise and help the facility in question with the entire recruitment procedure.
A locum agency comes out as profitable option for many, be it the owner of the enterprise or the medical facilities that enter into a deal with the agency.
Advantages for the Medical Professionals: They can expect to make a substantial return of investment, enjoy the benefits of a professional liability insurance program, derive travel benefits and thus even enjoy a working vacation, develop a range of practice skills, work in diverse clinical settings and schedule their practice in way that they have sufficient time for their family. The relocation expenses are covered as part of the overall package. The scope and opportunities vary when it comes to the health care facilities.
Advantages for Hospitals, Clinics and other Medical Establishments: Medical establishments benefit out of expedited privileges and working with credentialed providers. The recruitment process is a long drawn one and also incurs significant expenses for the company accounts. But locum agencies in UK ensure affordable staffing solutions. They can now be assured of finding suitable candidates and thus counter the challenges posed by understaffing. Gradually there is an increase in patient inflow and the establishment can expect to make the most of the billable time. The client base will eventually expand and the revenue streams maintained all along.
Even though locum recruits have to fill in positions occupied by permanent professionals, there are significant differences between the benefits enjoyed by both. Providers of locum tenens are independent contractors. The hours of work obviously vary as per the terms of the contract or the requirements.
Locum tenens are directed to reduce the problem of understaffing. For the incumbents, this may translate into a working environment that is not exactly conducive to their needs but at the same time re-arrangements can be done depending on the need of the hour.
While choosing a locum agency you need to consider a number of factors. These include:
- Preparing the terms of the assignment in writing and ensuring that they can be complied with
- Choosing a reputed locum agency in the first place
- Ensuring that you obtain a copy of the certificate of insurance
- Making sure that the agency representative has adequate scope for facility and practice
A search for locum agencies can be made online and as a medical practitioner, you can enrol with them only after checking the specifications.
Author Bio: Linda Becker is a medical recruitment specialist who runs a locum agency of her own and offers advice and useful tips on various aspects of recruitment pertaining to appointment through locum agencies.
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