LocumLife - February 2009 - (Page 1)

LocumLife THE MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO LOCUM TENENS PHYSICIANS INSIGHTS Editorial Editorial & Advertising 106 Milford Street, Suite 105, Salisbury, MD 21804-6966 (410) 749-3200 • (800) 948-8728 • Fax (410) 742-3235 For subscriptions, call (877) 922-2022. GROUP EDITOR Patricia Stille Lederman, plederman@advanstar.com MANAGING EDITOR Patricia Cusimano, pcusimano@advanstar.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dollars and sense ast issue, I touched on the troubled economy and suggested if you had always wanted to try the locum tenens lifestyle, now may be a good time to hit the road. That statement is no less true this month. Also true, however, is that job losses are continuing to rise, hospitals and medical practices are tightening their budgets, and the market is becoming more competitive. So how can you take steps to ensure you are considered for as many contracts as possible? To begin with, honestly assess (or reassess) your goals and objectives for locum tenens practice in this economic downturn. Whether you are or will be providing services part-time to supplement your income—or choosing the road full-time as a way of life—determine which aspects of the lifestyle are most important to you. Ask yourself if you can comfortably adjust what you are willing to negotiate in a contract. Flexibility is more important than ever in the contingent staffing industry—and it is key to making locum tenens careers “recession-proof.” By remaining flexible on geographic areas, shifts, and types of contract facilities and practices considered, you can maximize the number of offers you receive. In addition to being more flexible, hone your professionalism. Remember, you are supposed to assist permanent staff in providing quality services to patients, not change routines. Be pleasant, attentive, and willing to go above and beyond when nec“TAKE STEPS TO essary. After all, your actions on location can leave ENSURE you are an impression that could result in later extensions or considered for as many even recurring or seasonal contracts—not to mencontracts as possible.” tion offers to accept permanent positions, as highlighted in our cover story, beginning on page 10. Another tip: Make your qualifications stand out from the crowd. Invest in marketing yourself through additional certifications, fellowships, multiple state licensure, and letters of recommendation from former colleagues. And partner with several locum tenens companies to ensure that you are receiving the best selection of opportunities available. Also, think about the unique tax issues for locum tenens physicians and nonphysician providers—and how they could affect your financial situation. If you have more than one active license and provide services in multiple states, do not miss this month’s “Money Matters” department (page 6), which describes steps you can Patricia Stille Lederman take to reduce the complexities of filing your Group Editor state returns. L L plederman@advanstar.com Karen Tull, ktull@advanstar.com ART DIRECTOR W. Kevin Wolff GROUP PUBLISHER Cary Jon Lederman, JD clederman@advanstar.com NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Diane Ward, diane.ward@advanstar.com LIST ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE L Renee Schuster, (440) 891-2613 REPRINTS Nick Thome, nthome@advanstar.com (440) 891-2761, (800) 225-4569 x 2761, Fax (440) 826-2865 PERMISSIONS/INTERNATIONAL LICENSING Barry Gilbert, (440) 891-2707 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Robert Ehlers, (201) 690-5456 Production & Circulation 131 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2065 PRODUCTION MANAGER Erin Riley, eriley@advanstar.com (218) 740-6493, Fax (218) 740-6381 PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Debi Harmer, dharmer@advanstar.com AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Madeleine Robins, mrobins@advanstar.com (218) 740-6479, Fax (218) 740-6433 PRESIDENT, CEO V.P.-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Joe Loggia EXECUTIVE V.P.-FINANCE & CFO J. Vaughn V.P.-ELECTRONIC MEDIA GROUP Ted Alpert EXECUTIVE V.P.-CORP. DEVELOPMENT Mike Alic V.P.-HUMAN RESOURCES Eric I. Lisman V.P.-MEDIA OPERATIONS Nancy Nugent V.P.-GENERAL COUNSEL Francis Heid EXECUTIVE V.P.LIFE SCIENCES GROUP Ward D. Hewins CHIEF MEDICAL & COMPLIANCE OFFICER Steve Morris V.P.-OPERATIONS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT John C. Marlow, MD Laura Wagner LocumLife (ISSN 1934-5429 (print), 1946-1097 (online)) is published monthly by Advanstar Communications, Inc., 131 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2065. Periodicals postage pending at Duluth, MN 55806 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LocumLife, PO Box 6014, Duluth, MN 55806-6014. Canadian G.S.T. Number: # R-124213133RT001, PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Bleuchip International, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 CANADA. Printed in the U.S.A. Subscription inquiries/address changes: toll-free 877-922-2022, or dial direct 218-740-6477. LocumLife is distributed free of charge in the United States and Canada to current and former locum tenens physicians and those who would consider locum tenens as a career alternative. Single copies (prepaid only): $8.00 in the United States; $10.00 in Canada/Mexico; $12.00 all other countries. LocumLife is available on a paid subscription basis to nonqualified readers at the rate of: U.S. and Possessions: 1 year, $45.00; 2 years, $80.00; Canada/Mexico: 1 year, $65.00; 2 years, $115.00. All other countries: 1 year, $85.00; 2 years, $135.00. Back issues, if available: $15.00 in the U.S.; $17.00 Canada/Mexico; $18.00 all other countries. Include $6.50 per order plus $2.00 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. If shipping outside the U.S., include an additional $10.00 per order plus $2.00 per additional copy. LocumLife welcomes unsolicited articles, manuscripts, photographs, illustrations, and other materials but cannot be held responsible for their safekeeping or return. LocumLife does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements contained in the publication, and cannot take any responsibility for any losses or other damages incurred by readers in reliance on such content. ©2009 Advanstar Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal/educational or personal use, or the internal/educational or personal use of specific clients is granted by Advanstar Communications Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr. Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400 fax 978-646-8700. For uses beyond those listed above, please direct your written request to Permission Dept. fax 440-891-2650. Advanstar Communications provides certain customer contact data (such as customers’ names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses) to third parties who wish to promote relevant products, services and other opportunities which may be of interest to you. If you do not want Advanstar Communications to make your contact information available to third parties for marketing purposes, simply call (toll free) 866-529-2922 at any time, or fax us at 218-740-6417. Outside the U.S., please phone 218-740-6395. Contact us by mail at Advanstar Communications Inc., 131 West First St., Duluth, MN 55802-2065, USA. MISSION STATEMENT LocumLife and www.LocumLife.com uniquely serve the needs of the locum tenens community. Current, former, and prospective locum tenens physicians can explore the freedom, control, and flexibility of this rewarding practice alternative. Staffing firms can more efficiently identify, recruit, and serve these professionals. Representatives of medical practices and acute care facilities can learn how to integrate locum tenens providers effectively into their staffing mix. Industry trends, available opportunities, and success stories further encourage independent physicians and organizations to connect with staffing companies. www.LocumLife.com FEBRUARY 2009 LocumLife 1 http://www.LocumLife.com http://www.LocumLife.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of LocumLife - February 2009

LocumLife - February 2009 Editorial Insights Contents From Nalto Stat! Money Matters Resources Last-Minute Luxury Opening the Door Med Ec-cerpts Winning the Battle Career Center Advertisers' Index Opportunities Direct Residency Corner Destinations Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - February 2009

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