Locum Tenens

wpurn0684 · Mar 17, 2015

Any advice anyone ??

Psychcns · Mar 17, 2015

I have been with staff care for four years. I tell them when I can work and they find me jobs. I used to talk with other companies but staff care always came through first.

I would have liked them to pay for my DEA. They wouldn't.

They are organized and they find me jobs i like so I stay with them.

Psychcns · Mar 17, 2015

Just tell them what you want and they will tell you what they can do. They want to place you-this is how they make money. They will help with credentialing and licensing

I get a car, housing in a nice hotel, round trip air plus my hourly salary. It is 1099 so you pay a lot in taxes but you can deduct business expenses. Staff care is a reputable company.

Locum tenens is hard because you have to learn a new system, a new staff, new EMR, all very quickly. Plus you are in a new locale, have to find the grocery store etc

I like just working and not having to be with the politics and I find staff helpful and grateful for my skills

wpurn0684 · Mar 21, 2015

Thanks psych

I am getting ready to start doing it in July.

Glad you like it ! I'm looking forward to starting it because I hate politics and get bored at jobs quickly learning new ehr doesn't bother me . Where do you base out if for the travel assignments ?

aprnKate · Jul 25, 2015

Hi wpurn0684,

I am starting a locum tenens position as well...it will be my first time I am also doing it for the same reasons that you are doing. What company did you decide to go with? I just accepted my first assignment (I am a FNP by the way) I will be assigned to Arizona in September.

Psychcns · Jul 25, 2015

Staff Care

I have considered Barton and Advanced Practice but Staff Care has always come through first.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 27, 2015

Out of curiosity, what do Locum Tenens positions typically pay? I did some travel nursing several years back, and the agency I used to work with still calls me telling me they have positions for me as an NP. I don't feel nearly confident enough yet to jump into it, but am curious to know what they reimburse.

aprnKate · Jul 28, 2015

@ Riburn3,

This will be my first locum tenens...I'm hoping that I will like it. It can be any where from $45 to $60/hr and time and a half for overtime if available. I do get benefits like health/dental/pet insurance, malpractice. They pay for my housing and a certain amount of mileage. I am a w2 employee not a 1099 independent contractor so I am considered an employee of the locum tenens company I work for and they take out medicare, SS..all that stuff instead of doing it on your own. . I don't get paid vacation but I can get 30 days off in between assignments without losing benefits. Its also a way for me to travel away and explore parts of the US that is outside TX. My first assignment is in Arizona near the Four corners.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 28, 2015

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you're gonna be spending some time in Navajo country. Do most of the assignments tend to be in more rural/remote regions of the country when you get offered? I get emails from a company I used to travel with as an RN for NP assignments, and they usually seem to be in middle of nowhere locations.

aprnKate · Jul 29, 2015

The company I will work for (I start in September) has contracts with Indian Health Service (IHS) but they also have other government contracts with Federal Correctional Facilities, VA in other states but they also have private clinics use them to find NP/PA for maternity leave, holiday/vacation coverage...etc. A lot of them are in a rural area/small town...I have looked at some of the sites and they are accessible to a national park or they are in the border of arizona and california...etc. there is even one location that is only an hour away from las vegas, nv.

I also didn't just sign up for this on a whim. I have been talking and emailing my recruiter for a month even before I agreed. He was very helpful and has been answering my questions. He even arranged a phone call between me and another physician assistant who currently works where I will be working and has been with the company for 3 years and got out of the company to settle for a permanent job with IHS now. I got to ask the questions I wanted most important ones were supportive supervising physicians, what does one do on a rural area on their days off. Some assignments in IHS offer like 7 days on, 7 days off. Once I got to talk to the PA who works there, I told my recruiter he could go ahead and present my CV/resume to his contacts for the facility. Then I was chosen to have an interview with the one of the chief MD over the phone. A couple hours later I was told that they wanted me for the job and it was up to me whether I accept or not. The MD talked to me about what the job entails and talked about my experience what I was comfortable with.

I will be working in a flu clinic first couple months going to grocery stores and schools and other towns to get their flu shots and also treat coughs/colds if patients have it. I will be going to these places in a government vehicle and with a public health nurse. Once every one has their flu shots at the end of October, I will practicing in family medicine/pediatric clinic. I don't have a 7 days on, 7 days off schedule. I have 8a-5p Mon â€“ Fri. possible overtime if I choose to (after hours or during weekends)

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 29, 2015

Thanks for the fantastic info. Sounds like it certainly builds your resume and shows how you are able to adapt to multiple environments. You'll have to share your experience with us as you are going through it on here, and let us know how you like it. It would make for a fantastic site blog.

A close RN friend was working for the IHS doing dialysis in the same area you are going to and would basically go to Telluride Colorado, Flagstaff, or Sedona any chance he got. Both are cool places to visit, and if you are over there early enough, September 18th-20th is the Telluride Blues and Brews festival, which is a blast.