LocumLife - December 2008 - (Page 19)

Karen Tull W ith roughly 4,000 neonatologists practicing in the U.S., it is not surprising that more facilities and groups are turning to locum tenens physicians to fill the gaps in coverage, bringing expert help to newborns—and needed comfort to their parents—across the country. and whether or not it is in-house coverage. According to the feedback I receive from our physicians, they ultimately earn more money from their locum tenens opportunities and also rack up other perks, such as frequent flyer miles and hotel reward points.” A DYNAMIC CAREER Michael W. Balbus, MD, FAAP, a neonatologist with 20 years of experience, has been practicing part-time locum tenens since 1992. After leaving RISING DEMAND his first permanent position, Dr. Balbus found “Neonatologists have been moonlighting for each himself with extra time on his hands while waitother for years, but the arrangements were less for- ing to be licensed in the state where his next job mal than they are today,” explains Mike Hathaway, was located. A former colleague recommended he director of children’s services for TIVA HealthCare, take up locum tenens in the meantime. Inc., based in Sunrise, Florida. “The rising demand So, Dr. Balbus contacted a staffing agency and for neonatologists, coupled with a more compli- utilized his current licenses to provide temporary cated risk environment, have coverage. “The pediatrician prompted a growing numat a community hospital was “The demand for ber of hospitals and practice going away for a month and locum tenens groups to utilize locum tenens needed someone to attend agencies to facilitate the extra deliveries,” he recalls. “It neonatologists is coverage they need.” was such a great experience, greater today than Who are the neonatologists I called my wife and said, choosing to practice locum ‘That was a lot of fun—I ever before.” tenens? “These physicians could do that again.’” —Mike Hathaway provide specialized care to Since then, Dr. Balbus has babies who are born premaaccepted several permanent turely or with other complications,” he states. “They positions at different locations, yet he continues tend to practice in more populated areas, as these to keep his hand in locum tenens by fulfilling are the demographics needed to support a viable dozens of part-time contracts throughout the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). country. Although his opportunities have been “Neonatologists who practice with our company arranged independently and by various staffing are fellowship-trained and equally varied in experi- agencies through the years, he has chiefly relied ence,” continues Mr. Hathaway. “They represent each on St. Louis, Missouri-based Linde Healthcare to sex and a mix of ages, and are both married and single. secure his engagements. While they usually travel solo, it is not uncommon “Locum tenens has never been my primary for someone to take along a spouse or child. Most of source of income,” he says, “so my availability is our neonatologists choose to moonlight while holding different. I typically provide coverage on weekdown permanent positions, but we do have a number ends, although sometimes I may take a week off who practice locum tenens full-time.” to fill in at a contract facility.” Satisfactory compensation and other incentives Dr. Balbus estimates that he has accepted conadd to the appeal of this lifestyle. “Pay rates depend tracts at approximately 20 hospitals, some of which on a number of factors,” he notes, “such as level of ser- were single weekend opportunities, while others vice, average census, presence of neonatal nurse prac- were ongoing arrangements, involving traveling titioners, number of consecutive days, shift lengths, back and forth for a few shifts a month over a DECEMBER 2008 LocumLife 19

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LocumLife - December 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! The Basics Last-Minute Luxury Mixing Business &�Pleasure Med Ec-cerpts Neonatology Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct On Location Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - December 2008

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