From start to finish: Tips for a successful locums assignment
February 13, 2025)
Physicians choose to work locum tenens assignments for a variety of reasons —to name a few, it could be as a bridge from full-time work into retirement, to earn extra money on the side, or to travel. Whatever your reason, with the right planning and preparation, a locum tenens assignment can be a positive and rewarding experience.
Planning for locum tenens
Before accepting a locum tenens assignment, here’s what you should think about to ensure your locum tenens experience will be a success.
Define what you are looking for in a locums assignment
"The first step is to define exactly why you’re interested in locum tenens," says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonya Sloan. Are you looking for a short-term assignment to earn extra money or to pay off your student loans more quickly? Do you want to try out a new part of the country before moving there permanently? Are you just looking for a change of pace?
“I think it's about lifestyle and choosing what you want,” Dr. Sloan says. “If you’re a medical student or a resident trying to decide what you’re going to do, where you’re going to go, it’s a great opportunity to see the world and make some money.”
If you’re a medical student or a resident trying to decide what you’re going to do, where you’re going to go, locum tenens a great opportunity to see the world and make some money.
Once you are clear about the why, think through your expectations and what you want from an assignment. What schedule are you looking for? Are you okay with being on call? How many patients a day are you willing to see?
“My agenda is to make money,” shares Dr. Sloan. “So, if I’m able to get more hours, that's what I’m going to do. There are some locum doctors I work with who are on one week and off one week because they're there to see the world.”
Knowing what you want will help you choose the right assignment.
Position yourself for success: Preparing for a locum tenens assignment
Find the right locums staffing partner
Once you’ve determined your motivation and expectations, it’s time to find the right partner to work with. If you want to have the best experience, find a locums team that suits your personality and has your best interests at heart.
“There are so many companies out there, and you want to know that they're going to take care of you,” says Dr. Sloan.
When choosing a locum tenens recruiter, make sure to look for someone who is honest, reliable, responsive, and knowledgeable about your specialty. You’ll want someone you can trust to find a job that’s good for you, not good for the agency’s bottom line.
Experienced locum Dr. Andrew Wilner, a neurologist, recommends reaching out to several recruiters to partner with. “I would choose a recruiter (or two). Talk to multiple people, but you don’t have to send your CV to everyone. In five to 10 minutes, you should have a good idea of whether you can trust this person. This business has a high turnover, and knowing how long someone’s been in the industry can also be very telling.” You will also want someone who has a team ready to help you throughout every step of your locums journey.
I would choose a recruiter (or two). Talk to multiple people, but you don’t have to send your CV to everyone. In five to 10 minutes, you should have a good idea of whether you can trust this person.
"You want to be able to have an after-hours person, especially if you’re a woman traveling by yourself,” Dr. Sloan adds. “Not just the regular person who does your contracting, but a travel team too. CompHealth’s travel team has been central to making my life easier. And as I get into a groove, they know my routine. I’ve worked with other companies, and it was hit or miss. That makes a difference of who you're going to come back to, because if I’m not comfortable, I’m not going to work with them.”
By partnering with the right locums agency, you’ll have a team to take care of all the details for you — helping with the paperwork, booking travel, getting your housing in order — and everything in between.
Hear why Dr. Sloan has chosen to work with CompHealth:
Getting ready to leave on assignment
According to Dr. Sloan, there are two sides to getting ready for an assignment. The first happens at home.
“I’m a mom of three, married, and my husband has a mega-church here in Houston,” Dr. Sloan shares. “Before I leave on an assignment, I make sure that everything's covered for the family. We have someone to help take the kids to and from events, that kind of stuff, and then we have a housekeeper who can help out while I'm away. So, I’m making sure everything is scheduled here, and everyone has the same schedule, so it runs smoothly without mom.”
After getting her home life settled, Dr. Sloan gets ready to enter the new environment. She recommends having hard copies on hand with all the information for your assignment, including your contract and points of contact.
“I’m still that old-school person,” she says. “Digital is fine, but what happens if you don't have wifi or you can't get to it? I print everything.”
Pediatrician and veteran locum Dr. Trevor Cabrera says that he’s found certain certifications are always required:
Life-saving certifications, such as BLS, ACLS, and PALS
Credentials, such as one’s pictures of one’s board certification, licensing, or NPI
Medical/DEA licenses
Personal identification
“Note that paperwork requirements vary state to state, so do your research ahead of time,” he says.
For easily accessible details, Dr. Sloan also recommends downloading apps to your phone that will make traveling easier.
“I normally load up all my apps, such as the app for the airline I’m flying, the car rental, and the hotel, so that I have all that information already loaded and ready to go,” she shares.
Other useful apps for locums physicians include Epocrates, Waze, and music apps like Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music. (Make sure to download your favorite playlist or podcast to your phone, so you have something to listen to on the plane.)
Verify logistics with your recruiter
Dr. Cabrera advises both first-time and seasoned locum tenens doctors to know the important details about where you’ll be working — before you go.
Whether this is your first assignment or you're a locum tenens pro, it's important to know specifics about the facility where you'll be going.
“Whether this is your first locum tenens assignment or you’re a locum tenens pro, it’s important to know specifics about where you’ll be working,” he says. Here are some of the things he recommends finding out before you go:
Administrative details, such as where the medical service officer is located
Information technology. Who do you reach out to for sorting computer problems quickly?
Another tip? Review hospital maps. “Regardless of your specialty, finding your way around a new place is important. You’ll want to know how to reach the emergency room, different departments, and of course, where the bathroom is.”
Finally, most importantly, he says, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions!”
What to do during the assignment
Here are a few tips and tricks Dr. Sloan has picked up along the way to help your assignment run smoothly.
When you arrive
If there’s one thing Dr. Sloan has learned in her nearly two decades of working locums, it’s to be prepared. She likes to get to an assignment a day or two early to get ready for her first day. She’ll map out and drive the route to the facility, even driving alternate routes in case there’s traffic. She likes to drive around the hospital and walk around inside to get the lay of the land.
She also recommends contacting your locums recruiter to ensure your paperwork is finalized, reaching out to the hospital contact to let them know you’ve arrived, and making sure you don’t need to bring anything.
“I also give them the hotel number and the room number I’m in because there's been places that the cell service was horrible and they couldn't reach me on my cell phone,” she adds.
What'is locums really like? Hear from Dr. Sloan:
Onboarding
If a facility has worked with locum tenens physicians before, they’ll usually have an onboarding routine.
“First-time locums aren’t always anticipating all the things you're going to do their first day — from getting a badge, to having orientation, to doing paperwork and learning the computer system,” Dr. Sloan says.
At some locations, a hospital representative will help you get oriented on the first day. “And then the second time, you’re on your own,” adds Dr. Sloan.
You’ll also meet the team you’ll work with. Pro tip: Dr. Sloan strongly recommends writing down their names.
“It’s respectful to write down names,” she says. “And then you’ll meet the OR nurse supervisor, and believe me, you better write her name down. It's the little things that people notice about you, the type of worker you're going to be. In return, they’ll be more willing to help you while you're there and make your life easier.”
Getting ready to leave
According to Dr. Sloan, there are three parts to your offboarding.
“First is your timesheet,” she says. “In most places, a supervisor has to sign your timesheets, so you want to make sure that's done and taken care of. And second, run the list — who the in-house patients are, their room number, their diagnosis, what day they had surgery, and what they might need in the next couple of days.”
Last, make sure to say goodbye to the staff and let them know when you’re leaving. If you can, let them know who’s coming in next.
Learn from a locums veteran: 5 mistakes first-time locums make and how to avoid them
After your locums assignment is over
Once you arrive back home, let your recruiter know you made it back safely. "And don’t forget to send thank-you notes to the team you worked with at the facility (because you never know when you’ll be back for another assignment)," Dr. Sloan recommends.
And then, it’s time to get ready for the next assignment. "Take note of what you liked and didn’t like about the last assignment and communicate it to your recruiter," she says. "Good feedback will help make your next assignment even better!"
Have questions about locum tenens? Give us a call at 800.453.3030 or view locum tenens job opportunities.
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