Posts tagged “locums”

It is a typical day for Dr. Green, as she arrives at her large institution’s urgent care department. She has decided to arrive an hour early, 7:00 AM instead of her usual 8:00 AM, to finish her charting from last night’s shift. Normally, she tries to keep up with her charting on EMR (Electronic Medical Record), but last night was especially hectic as two doctors called out sick. The last minute acute abdominal case and sickle cell crisis patients who arrived three minutes prior to closing kept her working well past midnight. Since she lives 110 miles away from work, she ends up spending many nights at hotels, as she is too exhausted to drive back home to her family. This morning, she is on a mission to finish charting and responding to outstanding emails, not to mention her administrative tasks. She is happy because she will finally be able to return the two missed calls from her husband. He should be up by now, she thinks, and cannot wait to say good morning to him and wish him a good day.

The Pressure Cooker

Before she has a chance to place coffee and breakfast on her desk, she is met by a triage nurse frantically explaining how a patient walked into the triage booth with bloody clothes requesting help after being stabbed during an altercation. Dr. Green drops her coat, scarf, and breakfast and springs into action. By the time the stabbing victim is stabilized, and hospital bound, she has nine patients on her queue who need medical attention. Three patients are already roomed, one of which swings the exam door open and begins yelling ,cursing, and threatening to sue “the incompetent doctor that doesn’t give a damn about sick people.” Dr Green checks all three patient charts, reviewing their past medical histories and their reason for today’s visit. The patient yelling obscenities has checked in for migraine treatment. Her list of medication allergies include six non-narcotic medications used to treat pain and migraine headaches. Also, there is an eight-year-old child in the adjacent room with complaints of vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.

Dr Green takes a deep breath and springs into action.

Meanwhile, in the 3rd exam room sits a twenty-nine year old woman with her four year old daughter, who has checked in to have her child examined for signs of child abuse, after spending the weekend with her father two weeks ago. She did not seek care sooner because she did not have time to make an appointment. She also requests a full written report that she can show her divorce attorney.

Tired from having slept only five hours and hungry from having skipped breakfast, Dr. Green decides to evaluate the eight-year-old patient suspected of acute appendicitis. As she walks past the migraine patient’s room who is shouting into her cell phone, she hears the patient say, “be careful in the parking lot tonight.” Dr. Greene suspects the patient is referring to her. She feels tension build-up in her temporomandibular joints.

Before she can attend to her first patient of the day, she has been shouted at, cursed at, and threatened.

Her charts from last night are still not done and a myriad of emails have not been answered, despite cutting back on her sleep to arrive early to complete her administrative tasks. She works in a department dubbed “the trenches” or “the pressure cooker” by other departments in her large organization because daily life for her and her colleagues often feels like a battle in the trenches. During the years she is worked there, multiple staff members have taken medical leave due to stress, depression, heart palpitations, and a host of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal illnesses. A colleague has decided to apply for permanent disability due to health issues. Another previously well accomplished and respected doctor in the department is in rehab for prescription drug abuse and dependence. Many doctors have simply quit.

Unfortunately, Dr. Green’s experience is not uncommon and days like these have become the norm, leading to a never-ending cycle of emotional and physical exhaustion. This never-ending occupational stress has resulted in an epidemic of physician and medical provider burnout.

What Constitutes Physician Burnout?

To understand this occurrence better, we must know what “Burnout” actually means. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational syndrome where the medical provider suffers from emotional and physical exhaustion. Typically, there is a sense of cynicism or negativity related to his/her job. Physicians experiencing burnout will often grapple with a lack of personal sense of accomplishment. They will distance themselves from the offending cause, in this case, their work and, most likely display a marked loss of interest in their work to avoid further stress.

Additional Signs of Burnout

1. Feeling drained and exhausted even when not working.
2. Fatigue that does not respond to adequate rest, sleep, or even time off.
3. Feelings of helplessness.
4. Feeling trapped in one’s current circumstances.
5. Changes in appetite and sleep.
6. Procrastination and loss of motivation.
7. Withdrawing from, and isolating from, work functions, family, and friends.
8. Physical manifestations, such as increased muscle aches, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, and even lowered immunity.

Who Is at Risk?

In a word, everyone, given the current environment. Burnout does not spare physicians in training either. In a survey, 25% of medical residents said they would choose a different career if given the chance. Almost half of Gen X physicians report experiencing burnout. Another survey revealed approximately 46-50 % of physicians exbibit at least one of the symptoms of burnout. Unfortunately, this malady has not improved since the World Health Organization defined burnout in 2018.

In 2020, 42% of physicians reported suffering from burnout. That number rose to 46% in 2021. To elaborate, the Medscape 2021 Physician Burnout and Suicide Report exposed an increase in this problem. Medscape surveyed 12,000 physicians across different specialties.

The results were tallied and reported in various statistical breakdowns with the six most significant findings described below:

1. The highest rates of burnout were reported among Critical Care, Pulmonary Medicine, Neurology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Internal, and Family Medicine.
2. Female physicians reported higher rates of burnout. Not surprising, since most female physicians carry added childcare and domestic responsibilities. Additionally, female physicians often end up caring for elderly and sick parents.
3. Work settings can often contribute to burnout. According to the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundations, medical providers who work at hospitals, large integrated systems, outpatient community clinics, outpatient academic settings, and multispecialty group practices report the highest rates of burnout.
4. Burnout is not due to Covid! In the 2021 Medscape survey, 79% of the physicians surveyed said their burnout started before the pandemic. The remaining 21% of physicians who reported experiencing burnout as a result of the pandemic cited factors such as lack of adequate PPE, stressful work conditions due to Covid cases and watching their patients die alone without their families to comfort them. Of those surveyed, only 8 % reported treating Covid patients a source of burnout, compared to 58 % citing too many bureaucratic tasks as a burnout source.
5. Sources of burnout are not a result of treating patients. Top causes of burnout included bureaucratic tasks, as mentioned previously. Long hours at work, 37%. Lack of respect from administrators/employers, 37%. Another top cause of burnout was insufficient compensation, 32%. The next common source of burnout was the lack of autonomy or control over physician medical decision making, 28%. Next in the survey results was the everlasting increasing computerization of the medical practice, 28%. Lack of respect from patients was another cited source, 17%. Yet another source of burnout was increasing governmental regulations pertaining to healthcare delivery, 14%. Out of all the cited causes, only 8 % of those surveyed cited stress from patient treatment.
6. The causes of burnout have remained constant year to year. Regardless of the pandemic, physicians have cited the ever-increasing bureaucratic tasks as a top contributing factor. This is not to say that the pandemic did not worsen this problem. But the cracks in the system were already there; Covid-19 just deepened the already existing angst and hopelessness among health care providers.

The Mental Health Toll of Burnout

Ongoing helplessness and frustration on the part of overwhelmed, underpaid, and disrespected physicians have led to increased rates of depression. Unfortunately, medical professionals tend to feel inadequate if they ask for help. Other factors keeping affected physicians in an endless cycle of depression, depersonalization, and guilt, are the fear of being judged harshly by peers and superiors if
they seek mental health services. Some even fear retaliation and damage to their reputation and careers
if they are found to be suffering from depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the consequences of not
seeking help can lead to self-medication and even suicide. In fact, physicians are more than twice as
likely to fall victim to suicide than the population at large.

The Wide-Reaching Impact of Physician Burnout

The ability to care for and cure what ails our patients is a source of great personal satisfaction and joy for medical providers. However, regardless of good intentions, it has been shown repeatedly that burned out providers become less effective in their communication with their patients. When information exchange between patients and doctors is compromised, the quality of care given to patients also suffers. What is more, burnout coupled with the pressure of time constraints has been shown to jeopardize patient safety and increase unintentional errors in the delivery of care. It stands to reason that when doctors keep “a stiff upper lip” and push past their fatigue, they can ignore patients’ feelings and wishes in the process.

The adverse effects of burnout on quality medical care has been demonstrated in other countries as well

According to the Canadian Medical Journal, physician burnout decreased productivity, as more physicians call out sick, forcing remaining colleagues to treat a higher number of patients in a shorter amount of time, which led to an increase in medical errors.

Given this unsustainable scenario, one of two things happen. Either more physicians experience burnout and mental health problems, rendering them unable to provide the quality care patients deserve, or the remaining physicians choose to change jobs or careers in order to avoid burnout. Neither scenario is good for health care and will harm the overall health of our communities.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that our health care system needs help!

One way of improving health care is to start focusing on the wellbeing of healthcare providers. For example, if multiple surveys have shown that bureaucratic tasks take time away from the physician’s ability to focus on quality health care, shouldn’t administrators be held to task with regard to simplifying said tasks? Similarly, if long hours on EMR impact the time a medical provider has to interact with patients, shouldn’t we enable EMR to be user friendly and intuitive? In short, when we make physician health and wellbeing a priority, solutions can and will emerge.

Until positive changes occur in the delivery of care, medical providers ought to keep a few things in mind:

1. Remember who you truly are. Who you were before you became a medical provider and where you’d be in life if you didn’t possess the knowledge and credentials you have today.
2. On your worst days, try and remember why you chose your profession and know even the worst days are only 24 hours long.
3. Remember that one of your greatest super-powers is remaining calm. Practice this elusive skill and you will immediately notice the positive impact on your patients, your team, and your wellbeing.
4. Keep in mind, that on your worst days, you still possess the power to treat an asthmatic child who is gasping for breath, you have the power to safely lower your patient’s high blood pressure and high blood sugar. You have the power to calm nerves and to treat pain. You have the power to change the trajectory of your patients’ lives.
5. Remain hopeful that many advances in medicine are headed your way which may be a game changer in how easily you can diagnose and treat a particular disease.
6. Practice self-compassion. It is perfectly OK to set aside time to try new hobbies, make exercise a priority, plan for time away from work, and even time just to be alone and rest. Start planning before experiencing any symptoms of burnout.
7. Incorporate diversity into your medical practice. Consider a salaried part time position while you scale back from private practice. Consider a sabbatical in order to branch out into non-clinical projects, such as teaching or research. Look into an interesting locum assignment either in your area or in another state or country. Locum assignments allow for a great deal of freedom and flexibility, while providing a chance to practice medicine in settings that are new to you.
8. Consider stepping down from a leadership position that no longer gives your life meaning. Conversely, step up to a leadership role.
9. Complete your CME requirements in other states and countries if feasible.

Above all, value your peace of mind and your health.

There is no one else quite as remarkable as you are.

To all health care superheroes, thank you for all that you do.

Ela Grigorian 

Check out my blog at www.thevitaminchannel.com !!

Covid-19 shined a light on the problematic healthcare system in America with over 83 million people lacking adequate access to primary care. Due to the growing Physician shortage, more states are granting Full Practice Authority (FPA) to Nurse Practitioners. According to The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections from 2019 to 2039 the American Medical Colleges (AMC) states there will be a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians with in the next 12 years.

Nurse Practitioners Bridging the Gap

The NP role has been ranked  the number one “best healthcare job” for 2022 by U.S. News. NPs are registered nurses who are licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing in the state where they may be practicing. With an expanded scope of practice, the NP’s role can vary from state to state depending on the Full Practice Authority laws in that state.

If it wasn’t for the great visionary Dr. Loretta Ford, the nurse practitioner role would not exist. Dr. Ford discovered that there was a need for healthcare providers in underprivileged communities. She then realized that nurses with expanded roles who gained specialized training to make clinical decisions on their own would be the perfect solution.

With the passage of the Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965, the need for NP’s increased. A major barrier to practice was direct reimbursement due to NP’s not being licensed. NP’s started advocate for themselves at the state level beginning in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. 

Full Practice Authority

NP’s have been lobbying for FPA and advocating for the expansion for their role since 1994. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Full Practice Authority (FPA) authorizes nurse practitioners to evaluate patients, diagnose, interpret and order diagnostic labs, initiate and manage treatments. This includes prescribing medications exclusively under the licensure under the authority of the state board of nursing.

Current states with FPA include: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts. Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington. and Wyoming.

The Newcomers

The Golden State

Due to the serious shortage of primary care physicians in California, AB290 granting FPA to NP’s was signed into law on September 29, 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The main focus of AB290 is to improve quality access to healthcare. California’s FPA will go into full effect in January 2023. AB290 requires the California Board of Registered Nursing to define the minimum standards for an NP to transition to independent practice. Once that has been met, the NP can prescribe specific functions which include “ordering and interpreting diagnostic procedures, certifying disability, prescribing, administering, dispensing and furnishing controlled substances.”

The Big Apple

New York is now the 25^th state to grant NP’s full practice authority. On April 9, 2022 Governor Kathy Hochul signed into the state budget of New York that NPs who have more than 3,600 hours of experience no longer are required to have a formal relationship with a medical doctor to practice. According to the AANP, NP’s in the state of New York can now evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage patient treatments as well as prescribe medications.

Prior to waiving this law, New York NP’s had a “reduced” practice authority. NP’s were required to have a ‘written practice agreement’ with a physician in their specialty area. This stated that the physician would review patient records, make referrals, be on hand for consultations. Furthermore, if there was a disagreement, the physician would have the final word. Stephen Ferrara, DNP FNP-BC, president-elect of the AANP stated: “NP’s in New York, often times were required to pay physicians in order to have this contract agreement which did not serve the healthcare system very well. New Yorkers now have a greater advantage to access healthcare for both their physical and mental well-being.

The Sunflower State

Kansas is experiencing a healthcare shortage in its rural areas. On April 22, 2022 Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279, a bipartisan bill, which expands the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN’s) removes barriers for them to practice independently. Governor Kelly stated that House Bill 2279 “will empower APRN’s to decrease local and reginal care gaps.” Under HB2279, APRN’s are required to comply with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements for safely prescribe controlled substances, as well as maintaining malpractice insurance and national certification for licensure as an APRN.

The First State

Governor John Carney signed HB141 and H21 into law on August 4, 2021, improving access to primary healthcare to the 1 million residents of Delaware. Bethany Hall is Delaware’s Lt Governor and a nurse. When both HB141 and H21 were approved by 20-1 votes, Lt. Governor Hall was present presiding over the state senate.

HB141 allows NP’s and APRN’s to practice to the full extent of their training removing the prior oversight contract previously needed between a physician and an NP. Some employers in Delaware may still require a physician NP practice contract. HB 21 allows for a ‘multistate” licensure entering the APRN interstate licensing compact. North Dakota and Delaware are the only 2 states to pass legislation even though 37 states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact for both Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses. AARP recently conducted a study in Delaware and found that 86 percent of the senior residents of Delaware stated that having greater access to healthcare was important to them.

States on the FPA Horizon

The Great Lakes State

Michigan introduced SB680, a bill allowing FPA to NP’s on October 5, 2021. The bill is sponsored by Senator Rick Otman and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Irwin, Senator Sylvia Santana, Senator Jim Runestad, and Senator Tom Barett. The bill will amend Public Act 368 0f 1978, inserting and changing language which states “The administrator may issue a controlled substances license to an individual licensed as a registered nurse under part 172 if the individual has been granted a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner by the Michigan board of nursing under section 17210.”

Improving Access to Healthcare Through FPA

The U.S. is facing a significant healthcare crisis with physician shortages in primary care and psychiatry. Currently, there are more than 355,000 licensed NP’s in the U.S. who provide healthcare in communities of various sizes and demographics nationwide. NP’s are known to provide a high level of service and care to over 1 billion patients a year. Research shows that states who adopt FPA have a better advantage to improve access to healthcare, address healthcare disparities as well as increase their workforce.

MedCare Staffing Providing the Highest Quality of Healthcare Providers

MedCare Staffing provides a hands-on professional leadership team. Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to work locum tenens or you are looking to hire healthcare coverage, MedCare Staffing offers dedicated professional support through the entire tenure. With 70 years of combined recruiter experience, we have a reputation for success. To speak to a recruiter today click here.

These days the healthcare industry has left many healthcare professionals contemplating their careers. Locum tenens work offers healthcare providers tremendous career alternatives. Whether you are seeking to transition into early retirement, moonlighting to test the waters in a new organization, or just exploring new healthcare opportunities, Locum Tenen’s work can breathe fresh air into your healthcare practice.

What Is Locum Tenens?

Locum tenems in Latin means place holder. A locum tenen’s healthcare provider is a person who temporarily fulfills the space of another. Many organizations like hospitals, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC), Dental clinics, and Urgent Care Centers employ locum tenem’s healthcare professionals.

Doctors, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Nurses and Physician assistants can all be employed by locum tenens agencies.

Perks of Working Locum Tenems

Locum Tenens companies offer healthcare professionals many benefits. Some of these include:

• Travel: Who doesn’t love a work-vacay? The best part about working for a locums company for most healthcare professionals is the opportunity to travel. Locum tenens companies have assignments in various locations across the country. A change of scenery can work wonders for your career and perhaps help you breathe new life into your practice.
• Better Flexibility: Healthcare professionals have more control over their workload assignments. They have the autonomy controlling their work schedules and tailoring it to their personal needs.
• Trying out new workplaces: It’s kind of like dipping your toe in the pool to test the waters temperature without the full-time commitment. The organization can also see if your personality fits their culture.
• Greater compensation: Healthcare professionals may have a greater earning potential working through a locum tenens agencies. Though agency rates and salary compensations may vary from state to state.
• Less administrative responsibilities: Locums work is temporary and for many this means less administrative responsibilities like teaching, taking call time, and paperwork.

. Locum tenens can be a great way to slowly ease into retirement for many healthcare providers without the fulltime work responsibilities.

NALTO: National Association Of Locum Tenems Organization

Although many locum tenem businesses are independtly owned and operated, NALTO, National Association Of Locum Tenems Organization was created in 2001 to enforce strong industry standards and practices for the locum tenens healthcare professionals. NALTO’s main goal is to set clear and effective parameters of behavior for all individuals affected by the industry, including both healthcare professionals and clients.

Locum Tenens agencies, who are affilitated with NALTO will strive to protect the integrity of their relationships with phycians by completly disclosing information relevant to the healthcare provider, requesting permission before distributing a CV, and striving to maintain strong relationships with a large network of clients.

Choosing A Locum Tenems Firm

In today’s healthcare landscape, there are thousands of locum tenens companies to choose from. So, how do you pick the right company without getting overwhelmed? NALTO has these suggestions that can be helpfull when picking a locum tenens company that provides the right fit. These include:

1. NALTO affiliation? Due to all members having to follow and ethical code, you can rest assured that these companies follow the highest standards of service.
2. Malpractice insurance coverage? Does the company cover the healthcare professional and are they concerned if you carry your own coverage?
3. Can the company pay their employees on a regular basis? Does the company have the financial resources to do so?
4. How accessible is your recruitment representative? Are they available to answer your questions and help you through the locum tenes process?
5. Will the locum tenems company be taking care of all your sign on details which include: licensure, credentialing, hospital privileges, proper travel and housing arrangements? 

Best Practices

NALTO enforces ‘best practices’ for all their affiliated Locum Tenen’s organizations which include:

• Obtaining signed contracts and fee agreements before CV’s are submitted for considerations.
• Healthcare workers permission must be requested before submission of CV
• Seek to resolve disputes between companies with minimal involvement from healthcare workers.
• Honor all contract agreements with clients and maintain communication
• Represent all client agreements and opportunities accurately and completely.

Furthermore NALTO offers standards of practice for both clients and healthcare providers to ensure the best possible business relationship. Clients and physicians should:

• Agreements and contracts with locum tenem companies should be honored and other forms of communication from companies where no formal working agreement exists should be rejected.
• Keep good records of all communication
• Communicate to the locum tenems company any changes in intention and or search criteria
• Respond promptly to communications from the locum tenens company
• Report any violation or infraction of the NALTO code of ethics.

COVID-19 has exasperated the healthcare workforce at many healthcare organizations. Locum tenens offers a fresh alternative for healthcare organizations to replenish their workforce. Healthcare professionals can also explore locum tenems work as a way to take break from their regular healthcare employment or as an alternative to extra income

Community health centers exude cultural diversity. They are fun and exciting places to work as a healthcare provider. Most Community health centers can be found in inner cities and rural farmlands which offer opportunities to connect on a more intimate level with diverse populations.

The experience of working at a Community Health Center usually starts on the streets before you enter the clinic. You drive by acres of rural farmlands that offer the sweet scent of manure as migrant workers pick their crops. You may pass many make-shift tents that serve as housing for the homeless population in an inner city. You may walk by street vendors making savory tacos that make your mouth water while small children walk hand in hand with their parents. As they see you, they may start screaming “Doctora, Doctora” and offer a sweet smile and a kind waive with their hands because they remember who you are. This scenic landscape before entering through the community health center’s doors begins to tell a story of what terrain your patient’s may have conquered before presenting themselves to you in your exam room.

“I usually have diarrhea from my mouth, but today it’s coming from my butt!” A quirky 5-year-old Latino American girl sits on my exam table and blurts out the phrase trying to stifle a laugh with her hands pulled immediately to her face. Her mother just rolls her eyes and smiles while her ‘abuela,’ sits back in her chair, eyes bulging, looking mortified. I laughed and ask, “Are you trying to be Sarah Silverman?” “Who’s that?”  she squeals as she proceeds to giggle and spew off several more jokes as I try and examine her. This family of 3 had to take several buses through an overcrowded urban city to show up at the clinic as a walk in. It also saved them a visit to the Emergency Room.

Community health centers are unique and special places. And yes, on many days they can resemble comedy shows which adds to the fun of working at them! One of their main purposes is to serve underprivileged communities, increasing access to timely care and to avoid costly Emergency Department (ED) admissions.

When you are working at a Community Health Center, it’s not just about the patient you are seeing, but about the whole family structure. It’s not uncommon for a mother, father, siblings, grandparents and even great grandparents to be present at a newborn’s first well check. This offers a great opportunity for assessment and teaching on so many levels as a practitioner.

Originally, community health centers were started in 1965. They were launched as a small demonstration program in conjunction with President Johnson’s ‘Office Of Economic Opportunity’ with a main focus on medically underserved communities. Today, clinics can be found in inner suburban cities servicing the homeless population to rural locations servicing migrant farmworkers.

Approximately 1400 community health centers provide healthcare to 28 million people throughout the United States. The main source of funding for these clinics is Medicaid along with other sources of funding which include Federal Community Health Center Program 330 Grants, Ryan White Funding, Title X Funding, and local county funds. The Affordable Care Act also offers additional funding.

Many clinics deliver a broad area of services which include mental health, dental, podiatry, maternal child health, pediatrics, HIV services, and Transgender services. They specialize in diagnosis and management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease, depression, cancer and HIV/AIDS. One of the main goals is to reduce mortality, health disparities and risk of low birth weight with the care they deliver. Services such as transportation, translation, case management, and health education are offered to ensure continuity of care.

Working with a lower socioeconomic population can offer challenges as well as a variety of learning opportunities which may include language barriers, poverty, and compliance to healthcare regimens. Community Health Clinics offer healthcare providers an opportunity to flex their creativity, employ a sense of humor and have an open mind in order to better meet a patient’s needs.

Community health clinics are great places for Physician’s, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Dentists, and Psychologists to practice. They offer an abundance of experience that can only be acquired at the rural clinic level and inner city. It’s a rich cultural exposure that can be incredibly humbling. You don’t necessarily have to be a comedian to work at one, but it doesn’t hurt.

Ersilia Pompilio RN, MSN, PNP

References

https://www.chcchronicles.org/stories/community-health-centers-chronicling-their-history-and-broader-meaning

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26153303/

What is a Community Health Center?

What is a Community Health Center?

Can Locum Tenens Be Your Sweetest Gig in Healthcare?

Nurses, Advanced Practice Healthcare Professionals, Physicians and Dentists work in hazardous environments. They are riddled with different types of biological exposures; diseases, chemicals, environmental hazards, physical hazards like radiation, and sometimes violence. Still, healthcare professionals are often viewed as immune to injury or illness. Many times, hospital, healthcare management and administrators tend to turn a blind eye to complaints of unsafe work environments.

With the COVID19 pandemic many nurses and healthcare providers in general were denied Personal Protective Equipment. Providers were told that they would lose their jobs or be placed on suspension for bring their own from home. Others were told to clean and recycle masks.

There are more than 18 million healthcare workers in the United States. PPE’s are used to protect healthcare providers from disease as well as protect immunocompromised patients. Improper use or lack of there of place employees and patients at greater of transmitting disease. Dysfunctional safety standards in healthcare settings have recently imploded like a weeping abscess. Fearing for their safety and the safety of their families, healthcare providers have walked off their jobs.

In recent years the number of violent assaults against Nurses and healthcare providers has increased. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports of nearly 25,000 workplace assaults reported annually. 75% occur in health care and social service settings. Workers in healthcare settings are 4 times more likely to be victimized than workers in private industry. A 2014 survey on hospital crime attributed 75% of aggravated assaults and 93 % of all assaults against health care workers to patients or customers.

What Can You Do To Ensure A Healthy And Safe Workplace Environment While On A Locums Assignment?

Nurses and Advanced Healthcare Providers need to empower themselves to take full accountability of their own personal safety and of their work environment. Employees perceptions and attitudes can differ regarding current safety standards. For example, what an administrator who has had no patient care may see as safe, a Nurse or advance healthcare professional with many years of patient care experience may beg to differ.  

Locums work can take you to a variety of healthcare environments which may not be so safe. Some tips Nurses and Healthcare Professionals can employ when working in a healthcare new healthcare care setting are:

-Be aware of your surroundings: Always be aware of your surroundings when you are on assignment. If you are working in a city or neighborhood you are not familiar with, do your research. Do a computer research on crime statistics, ask fellow coworkers regarding safety of the area. Make sure you have proper supplies and protective equipment before starting your workday.

-Propper PPE’s: Before taking an assignment, it’s best to ask your recruiter and or healthcare facility where you will be working, what their PPE availability along with quantity and reuse.  If they are lacking in supply, you may need to ask if you can supply your own.

-Trust your intuition: Your intuition is your best guide to safety. Per Gavin De Becker the author of “The Gift Of Fear, he states “Nature’s greatest accomplishment, the human brain is never more invested than when it’s host is at risk. A strong intuition comes from experience. If you are feeling uneasy about your surroundings or a certain situation, it’s best to stop and evaluate how you feel and why?

-Ensure your own safety: You are in charge of your own personal health and safety. If you do not feel safe in, then it is your responsibility to report it to your supervisor, office manager and your recruiter. If you and your management team cannot agree on proper safety measures then you may have to re consider your assignment and your options.

The safety of Nurses, Advanced Healthcare Providers, Doctors and Dentists is not an option, it’s a requirement. When healthcare employees are made to feel safe on the job, their patients and patient care will also be safe. All healthcare providers need to take full accountability of their own PPE’s and the safety of their environment.

Ersilia Pompilio RN, MSN, PNP

Locum tenens workers are in high demand nowadays due to many factors, including the increase in demand for clinical services from newly insured patients, and the increase of physician shortages across the country. Locum workers are most highly used in psychiatry, primary care, and hospital medicine, but have continued to needed across a multitude of other specialties. With the rising demand for services, healthcare leaders have begun to turn to locum tenens to fulfill their staffing needs increasingly. Having locums workers on your staff helps to provide a continuity of care while allowing flexible staffing solutions.

Locum tenens assignments help provide physicians and advanced practitioners with greater flexibility and career experience. Working locum tenens also allows them to travel, choose where and when they want to work, and decide if they wish to work part-time or full-time. 

Why are Employers turning to locums?

More healthcare organizations are making use of locum tenens physicians today than they have in the past. Locum workers used to be seen as a temporary fix to staffing issues but are becoming a vital part of the continuity of patient care.  

In addition to the issues the healthcare world faces with physician burnout and the uneven balance between supply and demand, facilities can’t afford to have gaps in their care. Vacancies in their facilities lead to long wait times, and delays in treatment, hiring locum tenens workers can bridge those gaps and help the facilities and continuing their high quality of care. 

Why are so many clinicians choosing locum tenens?

As the medical world continues to evolve, clinicians have more options than ever before. The flexibility offered by locum tenens work is only one factor in why it’s so popular. Clinicians get the chance to travel and experience a wide variety of different facilities. 

Getting to experience different facilities can broaden their knowledge, especially if clinicians choose to take an assignment in a rural or urban location. Getting to work and live in different areas helps to expand their horizons and could help them decide where they want to practice full time. But the main reason so many clinicians are turning to locum tenens is their ability to choose where they go on assignment.

Why choose MedCare Staffing?

It can often be hard to choose the right company for you when you choose to start working as a locum tenens clinician as there are so many available. MedCare is an excellent option for those just beginning in the locum tenens world, and we are a small, close-knit company that values not only the providers we work with but our clinicians as well. 

At MedCare Staffing, you are not only getting to work with a fantastic team, but you have a chance to work with the managing partners. This is a unique experience that sets MedCare Staffing apart from other larger staffing agencies. 

Reach out to us today and join our family, we’ll make sure to take care of you and yours.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

Tax time is around the corner and locum tenens offers a new type of freedom with many benefits to those in the medical field. From schedule flexibility to traveling all over, the possibilities are endless. Accepting temporary contracts through locum tenens also provides an opportunity for supplementing your income.

While locum tenens professionals work with a staffing agency, they are not employees of that agency or the healthcare facilities they work in; they are independent contractors. This brings its own fiscal responsibilities, so we have compiled some tips for being money-smart while working locum tenens jobs.

Set Aside Funds for Taxes

Locum tenens workers are compensated in gross, which means that they are paid in full for the hours they work without any state and federal tax deductions. You are still responsible for paying taxes on your income earned during each contract. Most contract workers and financial advisors suggest that you set aside a portion of each paycheck to account for tax payments. That way, when April 15 rolls around, you won’t be caught off guard with a hefty tax bill. The IRS has a helpful form, IRS Form 1040-ES, that helps you calculate how much you will owe in taxes. 

Pay Estimated Quarterly Taxes

Most state tax agencies and the IRS encourage contract workers to make estimated payments every quarter, which means paying them in April, June, September, and January of the following year. There could even be late fees applied for missing these deadlines. It is also essential to know that contract workers are required to pay self-employment tax. This tax covers social security and medicare, and this payment typically occurs when filing your annual tax return.

Contribute to Retirement Accounts

A great idea to make sure that you have a retirement fund set up. An easy way to make sure that you pay into it is by putting away some money when paying your quarterly taxes. Not only are you helping to set yourself up in the future, but most of these contributions can be considered tax-free, thus lowering your overall taxable income. 

Keep Track of Records While on the Road

Conveniently, locum tenens staffing companies take on the cost of housing and transportation for assignments. While they take care of the basics, you are going to inevitably have some expenses while on contract, including meals. The IRS allows you, as a contract worker, to deduct costs of doing business away from home that are not typically reimbursed (i.e., meals). 

You should be keeping track of your receipts for the purchases made while you’re on contract. Still, you should also maintain a record of healthcare insurance premiums, licensing, and professional services, such as hiring a lawyer or accountant. These can be submitted as deductions, which are typically done with a profit and loss statement in your tax return. 

Dailyfinance.com states that contract workers who claim less than $5,000 in business expenses and who do not report net losses can use the Schedule C-EZ Net Profit From Business form.

Whenever taxes or finances are involved, it is always a good idea to be safe and check in with a tax specialist or a certified financial advisor, to make sure that you are on track.

While a locum tenens lifestyle requires you to assume a more proactive approach to managing finances, it is also true that this lifestyle can provide an impressive return on your investment in it. 

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

When talking to providers about practicing in a rural location, we hear “I need a Starbucks” or “My family needs a community with an Apple store and a 20 theatre movie complex.” We understand. Cities like Atlanta or Denver offer you countless activities, housing, schools, etc. but rural locations usually see the most value. You can get higher pay, lower cost of living, and most of all, provide care to underserved communities. Rural communities traditionally have had a difficult time attracting physicians. recent survey posted on FierceHealthcare found most new doctors (65%) would prefer to work in communities of 250,000 or more.

Want to see a few benefits of working in a rural location? Read on below.

1. Excellent Work-Life Balance

Do you desire to spend quality time with your patients? It’s possible in a rural area. With fewer patients each day, you can work at your own pace. Then you can less time in the clinic or facility, and more time to enjoy activities outside of work. Practicing locums in rural areas will go a long way in creating your work-life balance. Since we all need more balance in our hectic lives, this is a bonus.

2. Introduction to Different Patients and Styles of Training in Rural Locations

If you choose to practice in rural locations, you will have the opportunity to provide care to an assortment of patients. Creating a chance to encounter various styles of training as you give the patients care. As a result, you can expand your experience with medical procedures and tactics.

3. Higher Demand Means Higher Pay

With the shortage of physicians in rural areas, some offer a higher rate for qualified physicians. Add this to the cost of living, housing, etc. you not only make more but save more. Some physicians and advanced practitioners use the savings to pay off debt, save for retirement or pay for unexpected expenses that happen in life.

4. Provide Care to Underserved Communities That Need It!

In an article posted on Becker’s Hospital Review, the following quote really hits home. “Physicians are disappearing from the map of rural America. Twenty percent of the country’s population lives in a rural area. The ratio of physicians to patients is 1 to 2,500, which means that 60 million people are dealing with the impact of this shortage.” Based on the shortage, you will be giving back to a community and the overworked providers. Just another added benefit of practicing in rural or remote locations.

Are You Ready To Practice In Rural Locations?

Since rural locations have more to offer, consider experiencing it for yourself. Give us a call or click here to see our job board.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

When it comes to the medical world, primary care physicians bring a multitude of valuable qualities to the table with their ability to be versatile, flexible, and with their full breadth of general medical knowledge. Because of these beneficial characteristics, primary care physicians can provide comprehensive care, treat a range of medical conditions, and can cover treatment in numerous specialties, including preventive medicine, family practice, adolescent medicine, and public health.

The demand for readily available access to primary and preventative care has significantly increased over the past few years, outpacing the increase in the supply of this care, which in turn creates shortages in various communities across the country. Because primary care physicians are brimming with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience, they are placed in a unique position that allows them to fill in the need for quality patient care in the following ways.

1. Becoming a valuable member of medical care teams

Primary care physicians have the opportunity to become valuable members of medical care teams at hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities that offer high quality, cost-effective, and continuous care to patients.

Understaffing and gaps in primary care can lead to patients’ medical needs not being met in a satisfactory or timely manner. Most importantly, that puts patients’ health at risk and can cause an existing condition to worsen drastically. And secondly, there are financial ramifications to patients not receiving the preventative care they would be getting at an adequately staffed facility. It is cheaper for the patient if problems are caught early on as opposed to treating them when their condition is advanced and has become a severe enough illness to require specialized care. With their extensive knowledge and expertise, primary care physicians can fill gaps where needed to ensure patients and their essential preventative care do not slip through the cracks at understaffed facilities.

2. Managing costs of patient care

Primary care physicians are often seen as the jack-of-all-trades in the medical industry. They specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide variety of conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. They also have the ability to screen for all significant health-related conditions, order prescriptions, and handle other essential responsibilities that prevent or manage several illnesses.

Because primary care physicians have a vast knowledge of many different conditions, they can help keep patients out of the ER. By keeping patients out of the ER, primary care physicians can save them around 33% on their healthcare in comparison to their peers who primarily see specialists, according to nonprofit organization Primary Care Progress. The availability of primary care physicians helps to ensure that patients’ needs are not going unnoticed, which in turn prevents issues from growing out of control and costing them more money.

3. Improving the overall quality of care especially in rural areas

Rural areas often suffer from a lack of quality primary care providers. The lack of providers places a burden on patients, forcing them to either altogether forgo preventative care or drive long distances in order to receive the services they need.

These underserved areas provide multiple opportunities for providers to improve the overall quality of care for at-risk populations, which in turn helps aid efforts in the advancement of public health. If patients are able to access qualified, knowledgeable, and skilled primary care physicians without having to spend vast amounts of money and time driving out of their area, they are more likely to maintain and manage their health properly.

Primary care providers are needed in the locums industry

There is a great need for primary care providers in the locum tenens industry. Primary care providers are essential to support the healthcare system and expand access to quality care around the country, especially in more rural and underserved areas. With their variety of medical knowledge and vast experience, primary care physicians are the perfect candidates to provide care on the frontlines of healthcare and fulfilling the fundamental medical needs of a variety of patient populations.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

We all have heard that everything is bigger in Texas and MedCare Staffing has a way for you to find out! If you are a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, would you consider working an assignment in this great state? Even better, some of our jobs will be working with one of our government clients. Any active state license will work!

Texas not only is the second largest states in the U.S., but it is also home to a big chunk of our clients. Below we list a few experiences you can have while working in Texas.

A Plethora of Outdoor Adventures

Big Ben in West Texas is a hiker’s paradise with over 150 miles of trails. Both experienced backpackers and day hikers alike will enjoy the boundless beauty of this masterpiece.

Visit the Grand Canyon of Texas! Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the country and lies in the heart of the Panhandle.

Like to visit the beach? Galveston Island State Park offers activities for every coast lover. Click here to explore this beautiful location!

Experience Texas Food! (Or Should We Say Barbecue)

Did someone say BBQ? With the endless amount of BBQ joints across Texas, some may consider taking an assignment just for the food!

Sporting Events Everyone Can Enjoy

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to just about every major sporting event or team. Whether it’s the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks or the Dallas Stars, take your pick. Oh and don’t forget Nascar and PGA golf!

Want To Work in Texas For Your Next Assignment?

We would love for you to consider working with MedCare Staffing. Click here to see our job board now or feel free to call us at 888-474-3380 and let’s begin the conversation today!

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, Veteran-owned, family-oriented team, we start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers. 
What we do. We place Physicians & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs.