Frequently Asked Questions: Your Guide to Locum Tenens Staffing

Whether locum tenens suits your career goals depends on your personal and professional aspirations. It allows you to sample different practice environments and locations before committing to a permanent position. With Trusted Locum Staffing support covering licensure, malpractice, travel, and housing, physicians, PAs, and NPs can focus on patient care and networking with colleagues nationwide. It’s a popular choice for recent graduates seeking varied experiences before settling down.

Accommodation varies based on assignment length and location, ranging from apartments and hotels to private homes. While short-term assignments typically don’t accommodate family members, longer placements may offer options for spouses and children.

Assignment durations vary but typically range from two weeks to two months, tailored to individual preferences and needs. Some physicians may even receive permanent offers from their temporary placements, highlighting the mutual benefits of the “test drive” approach.

Today, temporary physicians are well-regarded within the medical community, thanks to stringent referencing and licensure procedures implemented by staffing firms and healthcare facilities. Patients also trust temporary doctors, recognizing their qualifications and experience.

Prior to confirmation of your locum tenens assignment, you will generally be required to provide the following documentation:

• A fully filled-out application and any additional supplementary forms
• A signed agency agreement
• State Licenses
• DEA and CDS (As applicable by state)
• Medical Education and Training Certificates
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV)
• Peer references
• W-9 Form

The timeframe for securing a locum tenens position varies based on factors such as paperwork completion, reference availability, and individual circumstances, ranging from a few days to several months. Trusted Locum Staffing provides assistance throughout the credentialing and privileging process, in addition to facilitating the hiring facility’s own credentialing and privileging procedures, where applicable.

Attention to malpractice insurance is crucial. Reputable firms maintain comprehensive coverage, but it’s essential for physicians to inquire about coverage details, including limits, admitted states, and carrier ratings, to ensure adequate protection.

You will be paid as a 1099 independent contractor, meaning you assume responsibility for handling your tax obligations. Unlike traditional employment where taxes are withheld from your paycheck, as a 1099 contractor, you are required to calculate and pay your taxes independently. This entails setting aside a portion of your earnings to cover federal, state, and possibly local taxes, as well as self-employment taxes, which contribute to Social Security and Medicare. It’s advisable to consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance with tax regulations and to efficiently manage your financial responsibilities as an independent contractor.

Yes, as independent contractors, locum tenens providers are responsible for managing their own taxes, including quarterly estimated tax payments and self-employment taxes.

A locum tenens agency provides various support services, including job placement, credentialing assistance, travel and housing arrangements, and malpractice insurance coverage. They also offer ongoing support throughout the assignment.

The credentialing process involves verifying a provider’s qualifications, including education, training, licensure, and work history. The agency assists with gathering the necessary documents and submitting them to the hiring facility.

Various healthcare facilities utilize locum tenens providers, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, urgent care centers, and long-term care facilities. These assignments can be in urban, suburban, or rural locations.