Jonny Hale

What’s New in Interviews for Locums and Direct-Hire Positions?

The interview is an integral step in any job search, no matter if you are a resident or fellow looking for your first post-training job, an established clinician interested in making a career move, or a provider practicing locum tenens full time. Conversations between facility representative and candidate serve as a “get to know you” exchange.

Not that long ago, healthcare organizations were still conducting the traditional interview format, especially for direct-hire positions. After CV review and initial contact, an administrator or hiring manager would invite the clinician to a series of meetings at the hospital, clinic, or private practice setting. However, the last few years disrupted that approach. Now, many facilities have adopted a hybrid strategy. Larry Misquez, Senior Director for All Star Healthcare Solutions’ Direct Hire Division, explains how there are notable and nuanced differences to know about the modern interview.

Get Comfortable on Camera
Previously, it was the rare exception for hospitals, clinics, or private practice groups to conduct interviews over a video call. Nowadays, the format has become a virtual standard for step one. Facilities use video calls for the initial interview, which supports a face-to-face conversation without the time commitment of flying candidates to the location. (For advice on how to set yourself up for success with video calls, read our blog, “Preparing for Virtual Physician Job Interviews.”)

However, providers looking for staff positions should prepare to receive both video and in-person interview requests.

“While facilities still are conducting video interviews, now we are seeing onsite, face-to-face interviews taking place again as direct-hire candidates progress in the process,” says Misquez. “Most interviews for locum tenens jobs are still done over the phone.”

Casual, But Not Too Casual
The implementation of video interviews also has ushered in a slightly altered set of expectations. Of course, employers anticipate candidates will display a high level of professionalism, however, the virtual setting allows for a slightly less formal approach.

“We see more of a relaxed attitude via video interviews. Some people may prefer to dress up for them, but it is much more business casual,” says Misquez. “When doctors go for site visits, they are expected to dress in business attire. After all, they’re meeting with executives as well as potential colleagues.”

To present yourself in the best light for locum tenens phone interviews, find a quiet, private location. If you have to take the call in a busy setting, like on shift, minimize background noises as much as possible. Check your device for settings that block or mute ambient noises.

Know Your Audience
It’s still commonplace for direct-hire candidates to sit for multiple interviews with a search committee and other personnel within the organization. Before you click the video link, dial in for a call, or arrive on site, your All Star consultant will brief you on the individuals with whom you’ll be speaking.

“If you are going to speak with the CEO, then chances are we’ve spoken with the CEO. We constantly work on developing ongoing, genuine relationships with clients so we can prepare you on what to expect. Knowing that in advance can help calm nerves,” says Misquez.

Raised Expectations
While the interview format may change, the questions probably will ring familiar. Administrators and hiring managers will likely inquire about your education, background, and procedure skillset. Here is a sampling of other frequently asked interview questions from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):

• What do you think you can contribute to this program?
• What problems will our specialty face in the next 5–10 years?
• Describe a particularly satisfying or meaningful experience during your medical training. Why was it meaningful?

“Also, some questions for direct-hire positions may focus on why providers want to relocate to a specific area,” says Misquez.

“Interviews for locum tenens opportunities typically are an abbreviated version. Facilities want to draw a picture of how your skills and experience will benefit their patients as well as how you will support their organizational culture,” adds Robert Jones, Divisional Vice President of Sales for our Locums Division.

In both situations, do your due diligence. Research the hospital, clinic, or practice — check out biographies for key personnel, research grants obtained, as well as recent news or journal articles regarding the staff or facility. Additionally, use the interview as an avenue to collect facts you require to make an informed decision.

“There are so many things to know that are specific to a hospital and the job, including locum tenens. Hospitals expect and want candidates to ask questions,” advises Jones.

To see a sampling of possible questions, go to our blog, “Questions to Ask When It’s Your Turn to Interview Facilities.”

The All Star Healthcare Solutions Advantage
With every interaction, All Star Healthcare Solutions delivers our signature “Red Carpet” Service, where going above and beyond is our standard, not an extra. Your consultant will want to know about your professional and personal goals and how they can be accomplished through a new job or locum tenens opportunities. Simultaneously, All Star consultants will gather as many details from facilities as possible so you have a strong foundation on which to judge an opportunity. The advantage of developing authentic relationships with our providers is that All Star is by your side throughout the entire process, ready to assist.

Start searching for your next job or locum tenens assignment by contacting All Star Healthcare Solutions today! Call us at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

Celebrating CRNAs and The Many Benefits They Offer Facilities and Patients

This week (January 21–27) is National CRNA Week, and All Star Healthcare Solutions joins healthcare organizations across the country in honoring certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). We appreciate the quality care you provide patients every day.

In today’s healthcare environment, CRNAs assume a valuable role in a variety of practice settings, from the busiest level I trauma centers to private medical offices. These advanced practitioners fulfill multiple roles, from being part of surgical teams to assisting in office-based procedures. By integrating CRNAs into your staffing formula, you’re expanding access to critical services. Here, we’ve compiled an overview of some of the key benefits CRNAs offer facilities and patients.

Large Hospitals and Health Systems
Of course, certified registered nurse anesthetists aid hospitals and health systems with busy surgical schedules. They assist in every step, from preparing individuals for anesthesia to monitoring them during surgery to post-operative care. However, their skills are applicable to other departments, too. For instance, CRNAs administer anesthetics in emergency departments or practice in pain management clinics.

Small Community or Rural Hospitals
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 34 states and the District of Columbia authorize CRNAs to practice independently. This autonomy plays to the advantage of smaller hospitals or those based in rural communities. In fact, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) states that many of these facilities rely exclusively on nurse anesthetists to administer general and regional anesthetics along with sedation medications. Bringing in locum tenens CRNAs enables you to offer more services so people don’t have to travel long distances to seek care that requires anesthesia. If your hospital is looking to add CRNAs to your permanent staff, All Star Healthcare Solutions can assist. Our Direct Hire Division has dedicated consultants to help streamline the recruiting process.

Surgical Centers
ASC Data reports more than 80 percent of operations are conducted at the more than 6,100 ambulatory surgery centers in the United States. However, these centers are still working to relieve the backlog of elective surgeries postponed during the pandemic, along with new orders for elective and outpatient operations. This confluence of factors has led to growing demand for CRNAs. Locum tenens nurse anesthetists help surgical centers handle large caseloads, which in turn, shortens patient wait times.

Outpatient Centers and Medical Offices
Research indicates the need for wide-ranging medical services at both outpatient clinics and medical offices will continue to grow at greater rates as the general population ages. Non-surgical medication-assisted treatment or supervised use of ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and other technologies within these environments fall within the scope of highly trained CRNAs. These advanced practitioners also assist a variety of physician specialists, including podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and dentists. Adding CRNAs to staffing rosters, even temporarily with locum tenens, enables clinics and office-based practices to more fully meet the needs of your patients.

All Star Healthcare Solutions Is Your Source for CRNA Staffing
Not only do we have dedicated consultants who specialize in working with certified registered nurse anesthetists, All Star is ready to partner with facilities of all types and sizes across the country. As a full-service staffing agency, our Locums recruiters will match CRNAs to meet your temporary needs while our Direct Hire Division will cast a wide net to recruit nurse anesthetists to join your staff permanently.

Are you ready to expand your staffing strategies with CRNAs, along with physicians, NPs, and PAs? Start by calling All Star Healthcare Solutions today: 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

5 Things to Consider When Accepting Local Locums Assignments

Want to experience the many benefits of a locum tenens practice without flying across the country? All Star Healthcare Solutions continually builds relationships with hospitals, clinics, private practice groups, and other healthcare organizations in every state, so chances are there’s a locum tenens position available not too far from where you call home. Below are five things to consider when accepting contracts nearby.

• Smart Scheduling
  Being able to drive to and from a locum tenens job while living at home can be very convenient. Plan accordingly with the commute time in mind and consider using that time to your benefit by listening to news, music, audio books, or podcasts.

• Expense Reimbursement
  All Star’s travel department books flights, rental cars, and living accommodations for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and CRNAs accepting locum tenens opportunities far from home. While those details may not be applicable for a local assignment, there could be other logistical details that pertain. Check with your All Star recruiter for specifics.

• Call-Duty Adherence
  If your local locum tenens job requires call-duty coverage, plan ahead to make sure you can comfortably stay close by if your home is not within acceptable range. Your recruiter can help you determine the contract’s requirements and whether the facility can accommodate you onsite. He or she can also help steer you toward nearby alternatives, if you need assistance.

• Proximity to Facility
  When considering local options, keep in mind some facilities may enforce geographic restrictions wherein supplemental staff may not live or work within a certain mile radius of the hospital’s campus. If you’re interested in a specific facility, but not sure of their policy, ask your All Star consultant. He or she is a valuable resource on this and all other assignment details.

• Multiple Assignment Locations
  The locum tenens career alternative offers the freedom to mix things up. After a few out-of-state assignments, an opportunity closer to home may be appealing. The opposite is true, too. If most of your locum tenens experiences happen on the local level, change things up with a long-distance assignment. Inform your All Star recruiter about your preferences, and if they change.

If you are interested in adding more location and scheduling flexibility into your practice, contact All Star Healthcare Solutions today. Call 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

5 Easy Ways to Build a Long-Lasting Rapport with Your All Star Healthcare Solutions Recruiter

Your recruiter will become one the most impactful people on your locum tenens team. Here are five simple things you can do to ensure a fulfilling and rewarding working relationship with your All Star Healthcare Solutions recruiter.

1. Be Forthright

Being upfront with your recruiter gets the locum tenens process off on sure footing. Inform your consultant about all the necessary details to advocate on your behalf with hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare organizations seeking locum tenens professionals. What’s more, a complete summary of your education, training, professional experience, malpractice history, and employment gaps can help speed up the credentialing process and get you into a locum tenens job in a timely fashion.

2. Identify Assignment Preferences

We know your time is valuable and best spent treating patients, so All Star’s consultants do their best to present locum tenens jobs of most interest to you. To be truly effective, share your practice preferences. Key them in on your ideal locations, facility type, and contract specifics, including call duty. Also, let your recruiter know which details are flexible. Exercising a degree of flexibility may open the door to unexpected and fulfilling experiences.

3. Ask Questions

Your recruiter will collect a multitude of facts about any locums job before presenting it for your consideration. You will learn about the facility and city, the contract start and end dates, and an overview of clinical qualifications. However, you may wish to have additional details. Ask as many questions as you feel necessary to make an informed decision. This not only helps you assess the opportunity at hand, but it also gives your recruiter a fuller picture of the type of specifics important to you.

Of course, your consultant will ask questions, too. During assignments, they will check in to inquire about your experiences on the job. They also will ask about your final thoughts after a contract’s completion, including how All Star can best meet your needs. Our goal is to support you throughout the entire locum tenens journey.

4. Be Responsive

Communication is vital in any relationship, including the one with your All Star recruiter. Set yourself up for success by stating your preferred modes of communication: phone calls, emails, and/or text messages. Still, some exchanges, such as requests for documentation, are best handled through emails. Perhaps you’d like a heads-up notification via text that there’s an important email on the way. Additionally, it’s beneficial to all when messages and calls are returned promptly to keep the process rolling.

5. Stay In Touch Between Assignments

Whether you choose to accept one locum tenens opportunity after another or only occasionally agree to an assignment, keep the lines of communication with your recruiter flowing. They may call between jobs because a position opens up that matches your profile and preferences. Then again, they could reach out just to hear what’s new with you as friends and colleagues do.

If you are looking into locum tenens, call an All Star Healthcare Solutions consultant today at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

Make All Star Healthcare Solutions Your Timesaving Staffing Advantage

The physician and advanced practitioner recruitment process travels a lengthy journey. It starts with identifying the need for a new provider and the skills necessary to fill the position; then progresses through candidate selection, interviews, and contract negotiations; and finishes with onboarding. Each step requires an investment of a facility’s financial and manpower resources all while maintaining continuity of care as the top priority.

Incorporating All Star Healthcare Solutions, a full-service staffing agency, into your recruitment arsenal can be a significant timesaver, not to mention an effective tool in staff retention and patient goodwill.

• Reduce Caseloads and Patient Wait Times

According to one study, the national median time to transfer admitted patients out of the emergency department and into an inpatient unit nearly hit the 3.4 hours mark. Another survey determined people wait approximately four weeks for appointments with family medicine, dermatology, obstetrics-gynecology (OB/GYN), and other specialty physicians.

Our locum tenens consultants can help facilities reduce delays by increasing the number of clinicians on duty. Temporarily filling slots when patient demand increases; when providers are on vacation, out on family or other short-term leave; or while recruiting for a full-time member, increases the number of people who can be seen and treated per shift.

• Cut Patient Travel Time

Residents in rural areas or “maternity medical deserts,” which are identified as communities without permanent, local OB/GYN facilities, typically have to commute significant distances to obtain medical care, especially from specialists. Critical access hospitals, clinics, and private practice groups in these areas can save their patients time by contracting with locum tenens professionals.

All Star’s consultative approach responds to your unique needs. Our recruiters can help define assignment parameters to best suit your facility’s requirements.

• Minimize Overtime Commitments

When a facility incurs a temporary bump in patient census, during the flu season for example, administrators have options to address the increased demand on staff. Asking personnel to assume larger caseloads or clock more overtime is one possibility. However, that carries a chance of perpetuating provider burnout. An alternative is to book locum tenens physicians or advanced practitioners.

Adding supplemental staff helps facilities avoid overtime even while recruiting for a new permanent staff member. Additionally, your personnel maintains regular shifts, supporting more balanced work/life situations.

• Moderate the Impact of Long-term Vacancies

As a full-service staffing agency, All Star’s Locums and Direct-Hire Divisions collaborate with each other to provide the solutions you need to deliver high-quality care to your patients. If you are looking to broaden your team’s recruiting capabilities, our Direct-Hire Division can cast a wide candidate net and speed up the initial vetting process. Our recruiters confirm all the relevant qualifications to ensure they present physicians and advanced practitioners who meet your initial criteria.

At the same time, our Locums Division can seek out highly qualified clinicians to address your immediate staffing situation. All Star’s Medical Staff Service experts conduct many of the preliminary credentialing steps, thereby accelerating the process required for your facility and get the provider on site caring for patients in a timely manner.

To find out more about All Star’s full-service capabilities, call us today at 800-928-0229 or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

Highlighting Myriad Benefits of Nurse Practitioners for National NP Week

This week, November 12–18, is designated National Nurse Practitioner Week. All of us at All Star Healthcare Solutions extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated nurse practitioners (NPs) across the country. Your presence at hospitals, clinics, group practices, and other healthcare organizations means greater access to high-quality care.

Here, a couple of our recruiters comment on the impact NPs make on patients, communities, co-workers, and of course, All Star.

• Nurse practitioners boost patient satisfaction.

A 2021 survey found patient satisfaction scores increased for hospitals that staffed nurse practitioners. Patients indicated a better perception of quality of care as well as a more effective ability to care for themselves upon discharge from inpatient stays. Also, having NPs in a facility’s staffing mix reduces wait times.

“Facilities want providers who are driven to give high-quality care and make a difference in people’s lives,” says Sadie Fermin, a senior recruiter in All Star’s Direct-Hire Division. “On average, NPs spend a great deal of time interacting with patients and oftentimes are the first providers people see.”

“My favorite aspect of working with NPs is seeing how genuine and warm these providers are,” adds Steven Lewin, a Locums recruiter. “One provider told me about the appreciation she felt from the community because they valued the time she spent with patients, thoroughly explaining their care.”

• Nurse practitioners fill the need at rural facilities.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports NPs account for one quarter of all primary care providers in rural areas. They enable greater access to healthcare services closer to home for residents in these regions. That said, nurse practitioners, with full-practice authority in 27 states, function in a variety of specialties and settings, such as women’s and maternal health clinics.

“We also see locum tenens jobs in large hospital systems and urgent care centers,” notes Lewin. “There’s demand for every specialty area.”

• Nurse practitioners support co-workers.

Whether practicing as locum tenens providers or in permanent staff positions, NPs serve as an effective tool for staff retention. When NPs take on a portion of the caseload, it reduces the risk of burnout among physicians. With nurse practitioners assuming a lead in primary care, for example, doctors have more bandwidth to concentrate on higher acuity cases, a focus some clinicians say promotes career satisfaction.

“Nurse practitioners look for a supportive work environment. They want a place that values and recognizes a team player,” said Fermin. “And of course, they want to enjoy what they’re doing.”

If your facility seeks to add nurse practitioners to your staffing strategy, or if you’re an NP looking for a new position, All Star is ready to assist for both direct-hire and locum tenens. As a full-service agency, our consultants collaborate efforts to meet providers’ and clients’ needs. To get the process started today, call All Star Healthcare Solutions at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

The Rewards of Gifting Your Staff Time Off During the Holidays

A quick look at the calendar and you know the holiday season will be upon us in no time. Have your managers and supervisors already received numerous requests for time off during the next few months? As the holidays draw nearer, the number of people seeking days off will likely increase; however, granting those days off can produce long-lasting benefits for your staff.

• Improve employees’ well-being

A multitude of studies and surveys confirm physicians, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals continue to experience the effects of burnout. Research by the Mayo Clinic states 62 percent of doctors are impacted by at least one symptom, such as emotional exhaustion or physical fatigue. Additional research associates clinician burnout with unplanned absenteeism and lower workplace morale. Taking time off is one strategy to help mitigate the degree of burnout and improve individuals’ well-being. Multiple days away provide your people the opportunity to physically and emotionally rest and relax.

• Boost productivity

After traveling, enjoying time with family and friends, or catching up on favorite binge-worthy programs — even over the holidays — your employees are more likely to return with a re-energized focus toward work and collaboration.

• Reduce unplanned time off

In addition to creating spikes in patient census, seasonal viruses and other illnesses can affect healthcare professionals, too, which leads to people calling in sick. Of course, such maladies occur, but they’re not the only reason staff may call off work unexpectedly. For example, a survey by InnerBody found workers of all ages, from Gen Z to baby boomers, believe taking time off for mental health days is a necessity. A growing number of employers encourage individuals to schedule paid time off (PTO) on a more regular basis to attend to self-care and mental health needs. The holidays can be a tough time for some people, so emphasizing this option this time of year could be another way to show support for your staff

• Reinforce your workplace culture

Heavy workloads are one of the main reasons cited for a person’s hesitation in asking for time off. Concern for patients also plays a major role. Over time, though, an all-work philosophy can chip away at workplace unity. Therefore, policies that position vacations or leaves as a positive for employees reinforce a caring culture.

• Attract job candidates

When comparing potential employers, today’s healthcare professionals weigh traditional perks and salary along with progressive organizational programs, such as employee well-being initiatives that feature flexible PTO policies, including during the holidays.

All Star Is Ready and Available to Be Your Staffing Partner for the Holidays (and all year)
When vacation requests soar — or when personnel sign up for extended leaves or unexpected circumstances create a staffing void —  All Star Healthcare Solutions is ready to assist. We know patient care doesn’t take a holiday and recruiting is a year-round endeavor. All Star’s full-service capabilities can help fill your facility’s staffing needs on multiple fronts. Our Locums Division works to place physicians and advanced practitioners in temporary positions so permanent staff can celebrate the holidays while continuity of care rolls along. Our Direct-Hire Division partners with your in-house recruiters to cast a wide net for diverse, highly qualified candidates. As part of our signature “Red Carpet” Service, both divisions collaborate efforts to streamline processes and better meet your facility’s unique staffing needs.

Start your holiday staffing program today by calling All Star Healthcare Solutions at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

4 Benefits of Locum Tenens for Both MDs and DOs

Osteopathic medical education programs enrolled a record-setting class size for the 2022–23 academic year, according to the 2022 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report. Plus, one-quarter of medical students in the United States have chosen this type of program, estimates the American Medical Association (AMA), indicating the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) training path is gaining greater acceptance by future physicians. What’s more, the American Osteopathic Association indicates more than half of graduating DO students opt to specialize in primary care.

That said, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree remains the most traveled route toward a career as a practicing doctor. The AMA reports that 19,748 U.S. MD medical school seniors registered for the 2023 Main Residency Match program in 2023.

Still, DOs and MDs have plenty in common:

• Graduates with either degree participate in the Main Residency Match program.
• Both types of physicians must obtain state licensure and follow the same prescription regulations.
• And physicians holding either degree enjoy the many benefits of practicing as a locum tenens

The Locum Tenens Advantages

There are multiple rewards associated with the locum tenens career alternative starting with the examples we highlighted below.

• Opportunities to experience a variety of clinical settings.
  Hospitals, clinics, multi-specialty private practice groups, and other healthcare organizations often accept either educational background, which gives doctors a variety of opportunities.

• Determining your own schedule.
  Providers who choose a locum tenens practice full time hold greater authority over when (and when not) they agree to short- or long-term contracts. Physicians who prefer to add temporary assignments to their existing schedules also have the freedom to decide when, where, and why they accept locum tenens opportunities.

• Share knowledge and expertise with co-workers.
  Locum tenens clinicians have the advantage of working with a broad collection of healthcare team members. Each assignment is a chance to exchange best practice experiences, such as the nuances between DO and MD practice styles.

• Immerse yourself in new communities.
  When locum tenens assignments run a few days, weeks, or into a couple of months, it’s an invitation to get to know a neighborhood, city, or region on a more intimate level. Who knows, locum tenens opportunities may place you in cities and towns that end up becoming favorite homes away from home.

If you wish to learn more about the many benefits of a locum tenens career, call All Star Healthcare Solutions today at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

Self-Care Suggestions to Enrich Your Locum Tenens Experiences

“Physician, heal thyself.” That saying dates back to ancient times, however, the 21st century connotation has taken on new significance as clinician burnout remains a critical concern within the healthcare industry. More than half the doctors surveyed for the 2023 Medscape U.S. Physician Burnout & Depression Report stated they are burned out on the job. And of those physicians, more than 60 percent said they’ve been experiencing symptoms for more than a year, including feeling emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.

Hospitals and other healthcare organizations continue to invest in systemic changes to help alleviate some of the factors contributing to provider burnout. That said, there are several actions individuals can take to initiate their own self-care programs. After all, the attitude of taking care of yourself so you have the physical, emotional, and mental well-being to care for patients can be a modern rendition of “physician, heal thyself.”

Living and working away from home while on locum tenens jobs could require altering your self-care habits to accommodate the different environment and schedule. Then again, the circumstances could inspire you to try a variety of different or new self-care options. Check out the following list of ideas that easily fit into the locums lifestyle.

1. Zone Out
   Zoning out is a practice of letting go of one mindset to adopt a more relaxing train of thought. For example, build in a buffer time between work and home by mindfully leaving professional duties behind and focusing on an unrelated topic before tackling the next part of your day. For physicians and advanced practitioners on locum tenens assignments, letting your mind ponder whatever subjects you enjoy as a relaxation method maybe even more conducive than in the daily routine of a permanent job. Being away on assignment creates the mental and physical space to take more time to decompress after shifts because you know you’re not going to be consumed by other commitments as soon as you walk through the door of your temporary home.

2. Strengthen Connections
   Agreeing to practice in a variety of facilities opens the door to meeting a variety of people, on and off the job. These interactions can lead to new additions to your friend circle as well as a professional network that you call on as you move on to other assignments. Having someone (or multiple people) with whom you share good news or discuss concerns is a highly valuable mental health resource. For tips on how to nurture these relationship connections, see our blog, “How to Stay in Touch with Friends and Family During Locum Tenens Assignments.”

3. Exercise Outside
   Sticking to an exercise regimen is as important on locum tenens assignments as it is at home. A big difference, however, is that your environment changes, and that could present new methods and places to get physically active. Take advantage of outdoor amenities, such as hiking, biking, and running trails. Enjoy the beach, plains, mountains, and other unique features of the area while breaking a sweat. Look for seasonal activities, such as snow skiing or golfing on local courses. Feeling adventurous? Seek out chances to try something new or that you always wanted to do.

4. Plan an Informal Meetup
   This idea can combine Nos. 2 and 3: As you make friends on a locums job, take the initiative to arrange get-togethers or outings. If you meet someone who shares your passion for long-distance running or rock climbing, for instance, offer to train together.

5. Clear Clutter
   In most cases, this self-care tip applies to a home or office. Still, locum tenens professionals can adopt the mantra to streamline preparation for assignments. For example, avoid overpacking (see our blog, “Packing Tips for Your Next Locum Tenens Contract”), or convert paper documents required for credentialing and/or licensing into electronic files you can access while on contract. Here’s another suggestion: Clean your phone or tablet of old photos or files to free up space. The options for this self-care action are plentiful.

6. Listen and Learn
   Between travel time to and from locum tenens locations to downtime between shifts, there are opportunities to listen to your favorite podcast or audio book. Better yet, check out a new series or sign up for an online instructional program. Choose something you have a passion for or curiosity about, or that could boost a non-medical professional endeavor.

7. Plan a Getaway
   Locum tenens opportunities may land you in dream destinations or interesting locales you previously hadn’t considered. Either way, you’re likely to find nearby communities worthy of a visit and exploration. It can be invigorating to get out and about in a new environment on days off or after you conclude an assignment and before returning home.

8. Record Your Experiences
   Journaling has long been suggested as a method to privately express oneself and reflect on ideas, concerns, or experiences. However, there are also high-tech alternatives to document your experiences while on contract. If you’re comfortable on camera, video diaries serve as a great medium to archive your locums’ reflections, whether you share it with others or not.

Of course, engaging in locum tenens also can be considered a self-care choice because the ability to flex more control over your professional and personal calendars as well as travel and devote more time to patient interactions are effective practices to beat burnout.

Start your locum tenens journey with a call to an All Star Healthcare Solutions consultant today at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale