Hiring locum tenens? What you must know

Hiring locum tenens is very different from hiring nurses or allied health professionals as temporary staff for simple reasons: the unique responsibilities associated with these roles. Whether it’s locum doctor vacancies, NP openings, or CRNA slots, top candidates are needed to fill these gaps. Facilities must consider if the void requires a permanent hire or if utilizing locum staffing is a better solution. While there are valid grounds to pursue locums tenens placements and substantial benefits to short-term hiring, here are four quick tips to keep in mind as you set out to employ Locum Tenens professionals.

#1 You got to know your goals

While locum tenens can be an excellent solution for many healthcare organizations, it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The need for locums often depends on various factors. Generally, going with a locum agency like White Glove Placement is a good option in one of three situations:

There is a temporary vacancy due to vacation, urgency, or other reasons. Many practices will turn to a locums to tackle the staffing shortages during the summer.

There is a need for a permanent position, but the organization prefers to fill the role temporarily first rather than rushing to hire.

The facility experiences inconsistent patient fluctuations, either generally or during specific peak seasons, such as flu season.

#2 Locum Tenens have pros and cons

When comparing locum providers vs. permanent hiring, there are advantages and downsides to both. Based on your needs, you can determine how the benefits outweigh the points against it.

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Rapid Coverage for Staffing Gaps: They provide immediate support during periods of unexpected absenteeism or demand spikes, ensuring continuous patient care.

Trial Period for Assessment: Using locum tenens allows you to evaluate a clinician’s fit within your organization before making a long-term commitment.

Flexibility in Patient Load Management: Locum tenens can help you adjust quickly to fluctuating patient volumes, maintaining quality care without overwhelming your permanent staff.

Support During Permanent Recruitment: Utilizing locum tenens companies can relieve some staffing pressures while you search for a permanent hire, allowing for a more focused and less rushed recruitment process.

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Adjustment to Organizational Culture: Locum tenens may require a longer acclimation period to understand and integrate into your organization’s specific culture and practices.

Potentially Higher Costs: If used for ongoing staffing needs, locum tenens can become more expensive compared to hiring full-time staff.

Training and Onboarding Time: Significant time and resources may be required for training and onboarding to ensure that locum tenens are up to speed with your protocols and processes.

#3 Locum providers must be experts

There’s an outdated misconception that Locum tenen providers can be a patch match until a permanent skilled provider is found, but that’s a false claim. While permanent hires are given more time to acclimate and the right skill training can transform a mediocre professional into a great one, the selection process for locum providers requires more precision. In addition to having excellent skills, they must also be highly adaptable, allowing them to integrate seamlessly into your team.

#4 You need a solid locum tenens agency

To effectively manage your recruitment process and secure the best candidates who fit your organizational culture and specific preferences, it’s a high priority to partner with a reputable locum agency. Noted locum tenens staffing agencies will rigorously pre-screen and interview candidates, ensuring that you receive only the most qualified individuals. White Glove Placement is recognized as one of the best locum agencies in the industry, known for its efficient and seamless onboarding process. They focus on streamlining your hiring efforts and finding the perfect match for your team.