LocumLife - May 2008 - (Page 32)

DESTINATIONS La vita locum Memorable tales from the road Keeping it simple Sean Takeuchi, MD, began dabbling in locum tenens opportunities, even before he completed his training. Lisa Daggett “ According to Dr. Takeuchi, keeping both aspects of his career with one company makes everything easier. “The logistics are a breeze. Plus, I am comfortable with the support staff, and they, in turn, are familiar with my personal preferences. Overall, this has resulted in very satisfying locum tenens experiences.” D uring my radiology residency, students were allowed to take a couple of internal locum tenens shifts each month, and I did that as often as possible. Then I took advantage of a similar situation during my fellowship in body imaging. So although I have been a radiologist for 6 years, I have been providing locum tenens services for even longer.” Following training, Dr. Takeuchi held down a few different permanent positions. “The changes I made were largely due to geography. When I completed my fellowship on the West Coast, I went into private practice in the area. But then my wife and I wanted to move east, so I left that practice and found a position near our new home. Once we had a child, however, we returned to the West Coast to be near our family, and I took an employee position with a multi-specialty group.” BEING YOUR OWN BOSS After a year and a half, however, Dr. Takeuchi was ready for a change. “I needed to be more available at home for my family, and I also wanted to be my own boss. Recalling my previous locum tenens experiences, I realized that providing temporary services might help make that possible.” Dr. Takeuchi contacted Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Virtual Radiologic, and was able to devise the ideal situation. “Through that company, I accepted a permanent position doing teleradiology. Now I can work a manageable schedule from a home office. As luck would have it, I was also offered temporary opportunities through their locum tenens staffing agency, Physicians Onsite.” 32 LocumLife MAY 2008 very fortunate to be “I am able to choose both career options— teleradiology and locum tenens.” —Sean Takeuchi, MD In fact, Dr. Takeuchi happily headed off to his first temporary contract even before beginning his teleradiology duties. “Since I had a little time before the start of my new position, I agreed to a 3-week stint in the Midwest. I already had the necessary license, plus at this facility I would be the only radiologist on duty during my shifts. I was looking forward to being out there on my own, boosting my confidence, and seeing firsthand just how much I was capable of.” STAYING SHARP That is not to say that Dr. Takeuchi could not rely on his colleagues.“The other providers were wonderful. I was the only locum tenens physician there, but everyone welcomed me with open arms. When I first arrived, I received orientation on the PAC and dictation systems, as well as the necessary passwords, and within hours, I felt ready to get started.” At the approximately 250-bed facility, Dr. Takeuchi provided services onsite from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. “I never had to work weekends or take call. And since the majority of our patients were 20 to 40 years old, I mostly saw the normal range of standard problems, such as appendicitis and OB ultrasounds. Of course, there were also some more complicated cases, which kept things interesting. And I always felt comfortable calling the emergency physician directly or walking down the hall to speak with someone face to face.” Being able to exercise those interphysician relationships was important to Dr. Takeuchi. “It is great to work with new people and see how they practice. Plus, being onsite allows me to stay sharp in the body imaging procedures such as breast biopsies and abscess drainage, which I obviously cannot do via my teleradiology position.” At the end of his 3-week contract, the client asked Dr. Takeuchi to extend his stay.“I was flattered and agreed to 2 more weeks. After that, however, I was eager to get home to my family and start working full-time in my new home office.” But since then, Dr. Takeuchi has returned on several occasions. “These days, I try to fit in short-term locum tenens opportunities whenever my schedule permits. Enjoying the challenge of practicing in new places, I relish the autonomy of the locum tenens lifestyle. I am very fortunate to be able to choose both types of career options.” LL Lisa Daggett is a freelance writer based in Saugerties, New York. www.LocumLife.com http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - May 2008 Insights Editorial Contents From NALTO Stat! Survey Says Resources Last-Minute Luxury Following the Seasons Neurology Career Centers Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct Destinations On Location Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - May 2008

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