What is locum tenens?
The Latin phrase
locum tenens literally means "place-holding" and is used to refer to a physician in a temporary medical staffing position. In the early days of locum tenens, providers of the service tended to be physicians in the twilight of their medical career who wanted to stay active in the practice of medicine, but in a more flexible and less time-consuming manner than demanded by a full-time practice.
Today, many physicians enjoy the flexibility of locum tenens as a work option at nearly every stage of their career. They enjoy a variety of opportunities to choose what they want to do, to work as little or as much as they like, to travel, to focus on a single specialty or multiple specialties, to improve their quality of life – and their career goes with them. Others choose locum tenens as a result of increased bureaucracy in the healthcare field and rapidly rising malpractice insurance premiums.
Professionals – Physicians who provide locum tenens services as a career.
Graduating Residents – Recently trained physicians who use locum tenens as a means to gain real practice experience for the first time, travel, and determine which type of practice best fits their long-term personal and career goals.
Transitionals – Physicians involved in a career or personal change, i.e., changing prctice locations, relocating to a new geographic area, joining a different group, changing family or marital situation, waiting a fellowship, leaving the military, and have time to devote to providing locum tenens services.
Wind-downs – Fully skilled physicians later in their careers who wish to stay involved in practicing medicine on a part-time basis, enjoy the prospects of travel, and want to share their experience and expertise in assisting colleagues who need their services.
Moonlighters – Physicians with sufficient time available from their own practices and enjoy the additional income or change in practice experience that locum tenens provides.
Whatever your reason for pursuing locum tenens service, Medstaff can help you find the position that matches your career and personal goals.
Medstaff Provider Guide
Whether you're just getting started, ready for semi-retirement, or simply looking for a change, consider the power and 25 years’ experience of Medstaff locum tenens – the network of extraordinary practice opportunities available only from Medstaff. Our providers enjoy access to our powerful networks in all medical specialties.
Additionally, as a locum tenens physician with Medstaff, you can expect the following services as part of our professional relationship with you:
- Careful, close examination of job opportunities that match your interests, skills, and experience
- Professional liability insurance
- Claims and Risk Management
- Assistance in licensure, credentialing and privileging
- Paid travel, housing, and local transportation
- Excellent and competitive compensation
- No placement fees
- 24-hour-a-day availability
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. THE MEDSTAFF PHILOSOPHY
III. MEDSTAFF PRACTICE OPTIONS
IV. HOW DOES THIS WORK?
V. THE PROCESS
VI. LICENSURE AND CREDENTIALING
VII. WHAT ARE THE CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS?
VIII. WHAT ELSE CAN I EXPECT?
IX. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
X. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
XI. SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Medstaff – Your key to exceptional locum tenens opportunities.
For 25 years, Medstaff National Medical Staffing, Inc., has been a leader in the locum tenens industry and has earned a reputation for excellent, prompt, and professional service.
As part of the Medstaff team, you will enjoy flexible scheduling, decreased paperwork hassles, and the opportunity to experience a variety of practice settings throughout the nation. With Medstaff, you can focus on what you do best –– practicing medicine.
THE MEDSTAFF PHILOSOPHY
Medstaff holds the key to helping healthcare organizations provide superior patient care through a variety of independent contractor services. Because of our commitment, Medstaff attracts physicians who meet our high standards and the high standards of our clients. As a member of the Medstaff group of independent contractors, you can take pride in knowing that you and your colleagues are providing the best medical care in the healthcare industry. Quality patient care –– your commitment and our promise.
MEDSTAFF PRACTICE OPTIONS
Medstaff Locum Tenens Practice Options offer you a wide variety of income opportunities. Choose the practice style that's right for you, or change programs as your needs change.
TEMPORARY PRACTICE ASSIGNMENTS
Our Temporary practice assignments provide opportunities to experience a wide range of practice situations in locations throughout the country, typically lasting from one week to several months. Temporary practice assignments are ideally suited for those who desire a great deal of flexibility and want to explore many different options. If you are not quite ready for full retirement, you can enjoy the benefits of retirement without leaving medicine completely. For those who are just completing training, time spent on Medstaff assignments can be a useful step in locating the ideal practice opportunity.
TRIAL PRACTICES
With assignments ranging from a few weeks to one year, Medstaff's Trial Practices provide unique opportunities to experience how a particular full-time position would really work for you –– before you make costly long-term commitments. Because we are dedicated to customer satisfaction, our recruitable independent contractors are given priority for such assignments whenever possible. Of course, if you find that an opportunity doesn't suit your needs, you have no obligation beyond the scheduled locum tenens assignment.
FLEXIBLE STAFFING OPTIONS
Many physicians prefer to limit their practice responsibilities to create free time for other family, social, or professional activities. Medstaff's Flexible Staffing Options are designed to match these providers with part-time practice opportunities that meet those needs. In the military and want to use leave time or weekends to earn additional remuneration? Medstaff's flexible staffing options allow you to work when you want and as much or as little as you want. Fellows, members of large group practices, and physicians currently practicing in other countries all enjoy moonlighting opportunities with Medstaff.
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
From your initial contact, your activities with Medstaff will be coordinated through a Program Planning Team consisting of individuals specifically trained to assist you in your particular specialty area. Your Program Planning Team includes recruiters, account managers, licensure/credentialing, specialist, and marketing professionals who will combine their knowledge and expertise to create a practice program tailored to your specific needs. Throughout your association with Medstaff, you can depend on a special relationship with your Program Planning Team.
OUR MEDSTAFF APPROACH TO LOCUM TENENS
After receiving your completed Medstaff independent contractor application, we will conduct a thorough referencing and credentialing process to verify all information provided. At the same time, we will begin working closely with you to assess fully your geographical and clinical preferences. In order to satisfy your needs, the Medstaff Program Planning Team must understand your abilities, expectations, and desires. Because we get to know you, we can help make your locum tenens experience more exciting and rewarding.
We are often asked about assignment availability in specific geographic areas. While we may not always have assignments in the exact locations you request, we want to know your preferences and will make every effort to seek opportunities in those areas on your behalf. Likewise, Medstaff wants to know how much you wish to practice and when you want to practice. By scheduling around your desire for "free time," we can meet both your personal and professional needs.
Upon completion of our referencing and credentialing process and prior to your first assignment with Medstaff, you will be asked to sign an independent contractor agreement tailored to meet your specific requirements. The members of your planning team will carefully review with you every detail of the agreement and answer any questions you may have. After the agreement is signed and executed, you will begin speaking with your personal Account Manager who will be responsible for presenting opportunities in accordance with your needs, qualifications, and availability. You will come to rely on your Account Manager to make each assignment a smooth, well-orchestrated experience for you.
LICENSURE AND CREDENTIALING
Medstaff's recruitment effort is directed toward well-trained physicians who possess excellent clinical and strong interpersonal skills. We seek relationships with physicians who are committed to the highest standards of patient care. Therefore, prior to presenting your credentials to a Medstaff client, we will conduct an exhaustive referencing and credentialing process. We feel this screening process will enhance our presentation to prospective clients, and we encourage you to assist us by providing any information which may increase client acceptance. Following is a summary of our requirements.
WHAT ARE THE CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS?
We understand that your time is valuable and diligently try to keep all paperwork to a minimum. However, in order to meet our client's requirements and maintain Medstaff's quality standards, the following documentation is necessary:
• A complete Medstaff independent contractor application which outlines your personal and professional history
• Signed release authorizing Medstaff to verify information provided on your application and to check professional references
• Telephone interviews with practicing healthcare providers who can personally attest to your current clinical and interpersonal skills
• Additional written reference letters from providers who have personal knowledge of your abilities
• Medical license verification by our credentialing department, including status on each state medical license known to be held by you, and if warranted, review by Medstaff's Medical Review Committee
• Copies of all pertinent documents required to support privileging and licensure applications, including diplomas, training certificates, DEA registration, license and CME/CEU documents, Specialty Board Certificates, etc.
FREE MEMBER SERVICES
Physicians who contract with Medstaff want to practice medicine, not manage businesses. That's why we've created a network of support services unmatched by any other locum tenens firm.
Professional Liability Insurance
Medstaff will assist you in procuring professional liability insurance through the Lloyd's of London. This policy provides limits of $1,000,000 per medical incident and $3,000,000 annual aggregate(higher limits in Virginia and New York) and is a claims-made policy written on a group basis. Should an incident occur after you have ceased providing services, you will continue to be covered by the group policy. In the event that the group policy is not renewed, an extended reporting endorsement (tail policy) will be obtained at no additional cost to you.
Licensure
Medstaff's licensure department will process all necessary licensure applications on your behalf. With information at hand on specific requirements for each of the 50 states, our experts can complete the tedious paperwork for you in less time and with less effort, not to mention less out-of-pocket expenses.
Travel Services
An in-house travel agency is always available to assist you with your travel and accommodation needs. Our agents develop personal travel profiles on every Medstaff provider insuring that arrangements are made with your personal specifications and needs in mind.
24-hour-a-day Availability
Medstaff is always available for emergencies during evening and weekend hours. When you need us, call our toll-free number, and a Medstaff account manager will be available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
As a Medstaff independent contractor, you will receive remuneration at either an hourly or daily rate, depending on your specialty area. Some assignments may require weekend on-call availability.
The Medstaff Account Manager, in coordination with the Medstaff travel department, will coordinate all transportation and on-site housing arrangements for each locum tenens assignment. Direct billing will be set up whenever possible, and all details of your stay will be sent to you, in writing, prior to each assignment via a confirmation letter.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
As a Medstaff provider, you are an independent contractor, not a Medstaff employee. You will receive the full amount of remuneration as outlined in your agreement with us. We encourage you to solicit the guidance of an accountant or financial advisor to discuss payment of taxes and other issues related to your status as an independent contractor.
Additional information regarding Medstaff locum tenens and your status as an independent contractor will be provided prior to your first assignment.
SUMMARY
Medstaff's success is built on 25 years of experience and a commitment to long-term relationships with our independent contractor providers and clients. We’re about more than just finding a physician to fill a short-term need. We work hard to create satisfying relationships that last.
As you consider your locum tenens options, please keep these two promises in mind:
First, we do what we say we will do. We think that's pretty rare these days, and we stake our reputation on our ability to deliver. You'll always know exactly what your options are and where things stand with your scheduled assignments. We will not make promises we cannot keep.
Second, you can depend on a special relationship with your Program Planning Team here at Medstaff. Our experienced planners know that success means creating practice opportunities that work for you. We are here to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At Medstaff, we specialize in placing physicians in excellent job situations across the country.