LocumLife - February 2009 - (Page 14)

Opening the door they have not known me too long. I am always willing to see patients.” Although Dr. Pantangco has been returning to the same facility a few weeks at a time for the past 3 months, hospital administra“I have learned that by tors have not yet extended an offer to come aboard permausing a staffing firm, nently. Rather, he is in negotiaI have knowledgeable tions with a facility in another town. “If that arrangement representatives going to does not come to fruition, bat for me, negotiating then I will continue searching via locum tenens contracts,” the contracts and he comments. “There are so conditions.” many opportunities out there, you are truly limiting your—Vicki Gordon, MD self by not at least exploring a few.” SEEKING THE RIGHT FIT Vicki Gordon, MD, has gained a plethora of experiences in her 5 years of practicing medicine. The internist with one state license has set up independent contracts, run a private practice, and for more than 2 years, has been fulfilling locum tenens opportunities through D&Y, a staffing agency based in Huntsville, Alabama. She has lived and worked in busy, large cities and quaint, rural communities. Also, she has cared for patients in private acute care hospitals as well as federally run facilities. But it was not until her current opportunity in the Midwest that she felt she had happened upon a potentially permanent position. “I would like this particular contract to become permanent, and all the signs are pointing in that direction,” she confirms. “Havthe people, This career alternative ing gotten to knowinteractions I have enjoyed my can make you more with them. I consult with the marketable for other doctors, who are very approachable.” permanent practice. After residency, Dr. Gordon briefly operated as an indepenAccumulating varied dent contractor before estabexperiences quickly adds lishing a solo private practice. my business was getting off to your attractiveness. “As ground, I did some moonthe lighting for local vacationing doctors,” she adds. After a while, Dr. Gordon decided to test different waters by agreeing to locum tenens opportunities. “A friend of mine from medical school began accepting short-term contracts right after residency and she seemed to really enjoy it. I thought it was a chance for me 14 LocumLife FEBRUARY 2009 to actually experience a practice setting before making a more deliberate decision. “I have learned that by using a staffing firm, I have knowledgeable representatives going to bat for me, negotiating the contracts and conditions,” she says. “When I did it on my own, I did not know what to specifically ask for, and it was a steep learning curve.” Now on her fifth contract, Dr. Gordon is ready to try her hand at a full-time staff position once more. What is different about this facility? “I appreciate the patients here. They are intelligent and ask pertinent questions,” she comments. “Also, I am the only internist at the moment, but there are other specialists, and consulting with them helps me improve my skill set and grow professionally, which is very important to me.” On a personal note, Dr. Gordon embraces the rural surroundings. “I have always wanted to work in a small town—I am a homebody. This area is surrounded by water, which I love, and I think it is very scenic and beautiful. Come springtime, I plan to take long walks and grow a garden. I am most interested in making a beautiful home life. To me, that is exciting.” As she waits for details of a staff position to be finalized, Dr. Gordon intends to stay on as a locum tenens physician. “I do expect a decision one way or the other in the next few weeks.” She concludes, “If things do not work out, then I can move on to another locum tenens opportunity.” BEST FOR EVERYONE Clearly, locum tenens opportunities can assist you in evaluating practice settings and locales. But what are some of the ways that this career alternative may make you more marketable for permanent practice? For one, accumulating varied experiences quickly adds to your attractiveness. “When you practice at a lot of facilities,” notes Dr. Gordon, “you learn to adapt quickly to different needs and develop a sense of flexibility; therefore, you prove that you are a valuable employee or partner.” The arrangement works both ways. Short-term contracts allow the core staff and administrators the chance to observe you interacting with patients and colleagues in real time. “It is a recruitment tool that is becoming more prevalent,” says Ms. Knippenberg. “Clients can evaluate candidates’ skills and how they adapt to that specific environment.” “If I were hiring,” offers Dr. Pantangco, “I would want to make sure doctors’ decisions to join the 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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