LocumLife - November 2008 - (Page 20)

International colleagues explore the U.S. postgraduate work in Kentucky, so he chose a temporary opportunity there. Others may have a particular region of the country that they like. Each physician is different.” She continues, “We see more interest in certain specialties, such as neurology, internal medicine, and cardiology. Some geographic areas, such as Wisconsin and North Dakota, have difficulty getting neurologists, which creates “We see more quite a few opportunities. In one interest in certain fact,that Iinternational physician represent is presently specialties, such as engaged in Wisconsin.” Ms. Ables currently arranges neurology, internal U.S. opportunities for two intermedicine, and national physicians on a regular cardiology.” basis. They are both male neurologists who speak English —Laura Ables very well. “Each works here twice a year and returns home in between contracts, and both have been asked by clients to come back. “One shares a practice with two other physicians in Pakistan but provides services in the United States every few months, for 2 months at a time. He has a wife and children at home, who sometimes accompany him, and a brother in America. By practicing locum tenens here, he gets to see family, have a vacation, and keep up with the world of neurology. “The other physician spends 3 months at a time here, usually in spring or in winter, and then returns to India for 3 months. Because he makes enough money in the United States, he does not have to work when he goes back home.” What advice do these staffing company representatives have for international physicians interested in practicing locum tenens in the U.S.? “The biggest challenge I have seen is the ability to adapt culturally,” states Ms. Abby. “The best thing an international physician can do is to become well versed in the various cultural groups in the U.S. and learn to communicate with them on a local level. This goes for both patients and coworkers, from physicians and nurses, to ancillary staff.” “Communicating by phone or by mail with a foreign-based locum tenens professional takes more time,” comments Ms. Ables. “So when wrapping up an opportunity, make sure everything is complete, especially the patients’ medical records, prior to leaving the country. Also, if you will be returning to America for another contract, solidify your plans and get your required documentation in order as much as possible before heading home.” EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES Shakeel A. Usmani, MD, hopes to practice locum tenens until he completes a fellowship in cardiology and commits to a long-term position. In 2000, he graduated from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan. After working as an independent practitioner in that country, he secured a research position at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and completed a residency at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, including a year as chief medical resident, this past year. Today, Dr. Usmani practices locum tenens most of the time. “After my residency in 2007, instead of making a permanent commitment to one institution, I decided to look into locum tenens as a way of exploring other areas and different kinds of practices before making a final career decision. I talked to other locum tenens professionals and found the idea quite interesting.” Partnering with D&Y, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Usmani has accepted engagements in two northern Mid-Atlantic cities. He says, “Although I currently hold only one license, I plan to apply for licensure in additional states so that I can explore other regions as well. My contract lengths vary, depending on the facility. That is the beauty of locum tenens.” Now a permanent U.S. resident, Dr. Usmani recently spent 3 weeks as a hospitalist at a 256-bed, Level II trauma center in a small town with a population of less than 30,000. “It is a great facility in a beautiful area,” he says. “The medical center is pretty well established there, and I was amazed to see its equipment and services. The facility offers every kind of specialty and subspecialty, so I never felt hindered, as you might when working in a suburb or rural area. “I stayed in the community for 6 weeks, providing services 1 week on, 1 week off. For 2 weeks, I covered the night shift from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., which included taking care of patients on the floors www.LocumLife.com MUST-HAVES U.S. Medical Licensing Exam before entering into residency programs Licenses in the states where practicing Two years of postgraduate or residency training in the U.S. A green card, work visa, or U.S. citizenship A certiﬁcate from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates 20 LocumLife NOVEMBER 2008 http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - November 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Residency Corner Sailing the High Seas Last-Minute Luxury International Colleagues Explore the U.S. Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct City Beat Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - November 2008

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