LocumLife - November 2008 - (Page 8)

RESOURCES Residency Corner Job search tips from industry insiders Thinking ahead Locum tenens offered Melanie Watkins, MD, the opportunity to step into post-residency psychiatric practice on sure footing. Amy Sutton gave me the chance to make decisions independently.” NEW FACES, CHALLENGING CASES The diversity of the patient population challenged Dr. Watkins’ residency skills immediately. During her 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday/Sunday shifts, she cared for patients in the 43-bed inpatient psychiatric ward of a 208-bed acute care hospital. Occasionally, she covered for an additional day or two during holidays, but no on-call duty was necessary. “It was a county hospital setting, so I knew that I would get patients who presented medical challenges. Not only were many patients low-income with few resources, but we also cared for patients with co-morbid medical problems as well as psychiatric concerns such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use.” Dr. Watkins—who now has 3½ years of practice experience under her belt— notes the interaction between departments as one of the highlights of locum tenens practice. “I enjoyed collaborating with the weekend internist while caring for patients with co-morbid conditions. It proved to be a great place to see cases that I would not normally be exposed to in residency.” For her weekend opportunities, Dr. Watkins flew from her home in a snowy western resort town to the contract’s beachside location on the West Coast. Occasionally, she was accompanied on her twice-a-month sojourns by her teenage son or a friend, but most of the time, she enjoyed the solo downtime. Once she finished her shifts, she kicked back in her comfortable accommodations. “I thoroughly enjoyed the West Coast beaches, and the staffing F or psychiatrist Melanie Watkins, MD, adding weekend locum tenens contracts to her schedule proved a priority as she prepared to choose a practice setting after residency. “As I considered future job opportunities, I looked to gain more experience, especially in a county practice setting,” she recalls. “Locum tenens has the added benefit of allowing me to travel to different parts of the country. And the compensation helped, too—I was not making much money as a resident, and doing locum tenens helped supplement my income.” Before completing her first locum tenens opportunity with St. Louis, Missouri-based Linde Healthcare in 2007, Dr. Watkins foresaw the advantages of experience, travel, and added income. But what she quickly learned is that locum tenens also provides graduating residents with the valuable option of testing their decisionmaking skills. “The autonomy I experienced on temporary engagements company I contracted with put me in a nice hotel right on the beach. This luxury definitely made my practice more enjoyable, knowing that I had a nice place to go to at the end of the shift.” At her home away from home, Dr. Watkins often ventured into the surrounding community—not only to take in the temperate climate, surf, and sand, but to sample some of the local cuisine as well. “I had my favorite, regular breakfast spot that I would go to every time I was there,” she says. “I got to know the restaurant staff very well—they even knew my order every time I visited. The community was very friendly.” PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REWARDS One thing that she finds personally rewarding about locum tenens is that staff is usually so grateful to have the assistance. “With the staffing shortages, you are valued more as a physician. Not only is the nursing staff thankful, but also medical colleagues are pleased that someone is regularly available to cover. They appreciate the consistency of having a locum tenens doctor at the hospital who can develop relationships with the staff and patients over time.” Dr. Watkins believes temporary opportunities offer numerous professional benefits as well. “I am able to keep my skills sharp and to apply these newfound talents in many different settings. For me as a resident, it was a big confidence builder to find that the skills I acquired in medical school could be used in another setting.” www.LocumLife.com THE BENEFITS . . . Test decision-making skills on the job Treat diverse patient populations Rejuvenate in relaxing accommodations Develop friendships and community ties in your home away from home Supplement your resident’s income 8 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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