How to Work With a Locums Recruiter

Method for Effectively Working with Locums Recruiters

Prepare. Communicate. Stay connected. These three steps are key to a successful partnership with your locums recruiter, and ultimately, a successful locum tenens job search.

Prepare for Your Job Search

First, update your CV! An up-to-date and complete CV is the core of your locum tenens job search. Your CV must include any and all of your hospital affiliations, past and present. It should not contain unexplained gaps longer than a month in your work history. See Preparing a Physician CV for guidelines on writing an effective CV.

Determine Your Availability

You should have a good idea of your availability for the next several months when you begin a locum tenens job search. Be sure to inform your KPS Locums recruiter of this, and give him/her as accurate an estimate as you can of the days and shifts to which you’re willing to commit. Your recruiter is the liaison who ensures that scheduling terms are accurately communicated to both sides.

Remember that your availability is a determining factor for employers in deciding whether to offer you a position. They know that the more you time you spend at their facility, the more continuity of care you can give their patients. Therefore, we advise that you give the most optimistic, yet realistic, estimate of your availability.

Determine What You Want in a Locum Tenens Position

It’s important to have a basic idea what you’re looking for when you start your search for a locum tenens job. By communicating your “wish list” to your recruiter, you can have a more productive dialog about where to start looking for a new position.

Consider especially the following factors:

• The kind of facility at which you’re comfortable working (pace, acuity level, patient load, etc.)
• The commute (the length, the traffic conditions during your drive times, etc.)
• The duration of time you’re willing to be away from home
• The schedules you’ll be expected to work (e.g., the occasional day vs. blocks of shifts in a row)
• The rate you’ll be earning per hour

Assemble the Necessary Documentation

Any hiring facility will require certain types of documentation before you can begin work. KPS Locums recommends organizing the necessary documentation in advance, as one missing document can delay start of work by as much as a full month.

In order to apply for an assignment, you’ll need copies of the following documents:

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Medical School Diploma
• Internship, Residency, and Fellowship certificates
• Specialty Board Certificates
• Current state license card for each state in which you are licensed
• ECFMG
• DEA license
• State controlled-substance license (if applicable)
• Passport-size photo (preferred) and/or clear copy of your driver’s license (may be required for privileging and/or licensing)
• Record of CMEs obtained during past two years
• Application for Medical Staff
• 3 professional references

TIP: To make distribution easier, have your documents digitally scanned, converted into PDF files, and saved in a folder.

Choose Your References

You’ll need at least three references, preferably ones in the same specialty, with whom you’ve worked in the past year. These should be people who can be reached easily. Therefore, check to be sure all their contact information is current.

For each reference, provide:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Where they practice

Complete the Necessary Applications

Complete any and all applications in a timely manner to ensure your desired start date. You should be prepared to provide these within a week from the day you receive them.

Communicate Promptly With Your Locums Recruiter

Stay connected with your locums recruiter. A good locums recruiter has a finger on the pulse of the job market you’re interested in and is a firm ally in your locum tenens job search. They know the kind of situation that interests you, will only contact you about those situations, and can give you options for alternative opportunities.

Unexpected details may surface during the credentialing process that need to be addressed on very short notice. Being accessible to your locums recruiter — taking phone calls, returning messages, and making time for follow-up calls — helps ensure a successful conclusion to your search. Furthermore, this level of immediacy in your interaction with a recruiter enables him or her to identify future opportunities for you as soon as they become available.