Doctors represent the biggest group that is utilizing this service. Physicians who are semi retired, who have little family concerns, or who are single generally participate in these types of programs. A typical commitment is determined by the facilities need, and can span from a weekend assignment to a long term placement. The standard setting involves the agency that supplies the temporary professionals, the professionals themselves, and the facility that has a need.
The agency is generally in charge of the employment contracts between the facility and the staff they need to engage with. They take care of all the administrative duties such as licensing needs that need to be kept up with, payroll to the employee, and providing insurances. They also take care of the expense of any continuing education that needs to be updated or initiated.
The professional who is interested in this kind of placement answers to the agency that has placed them, they get paid by the agencies and all of the assignments are arranged by them. Basically, they are used as temporary personnel to fill the long or short term needs of the facilities and quite often, placement extensions are made available to the temporary employees who are favored by the facilities.
The healthcare sectors are not the only professionals who utilize this service. Many religious denominations, such as Protestant and Catholic churches have been using this for a long time. It is not uncommon for Protestant clergy to rotate to churches and parishes that are in need of both long and short term helpers. Catholic priests travel between various parishes that are not properly served, and in some instances two or more parishes will combine to create a larger entity, enabling less parochial staffing needs.
There are many benefits of a locum tenens relationship; it is a win win for all parties involved. It allows the personal freedom of professionals to pick and choose which assignments suit them. There is also the possibility of travel, so the unencumbered professional has the option of a greater choice. They also get a weekly paycheck, and their continuing education is paid for in most cases.
The facility that is using the agency as a staffing solution benefits because they are not hiring the professional so there is no burden to them from the perspective of payroll, paying benefits, or providing health care insurance. They also have no obligation to hire these people after the assignment is fulfilled.
As healthcare today is constantly changing, and as staffing needs multiply often, utilizing a locum tenens agency makes perfect sense. Physicians and clergy, as well as a newly emerging need of more mid level providers such as nurses, physicians assistants, practitioners, and physical therapists are provided to facilities that are in need of consistent, reliable staffing solutions.