Some physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other medical practitioners, known as locum tenens, freelance their work at various health care facilities around the United States. Locum tenens provide valuable benefits to hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities.
What Is a Locum Tenens?
The term “locum tenens” is Latin for “to hold the place of” or substitute for. In other words, locum tenens are licensed medical practitioners of various fields who travel to facilities to substitute for existing physicians or health care staff. Locum tenens contract with hospitals for a set period of time without being full-time employees. Here are five ways locum tenens are beneficial to hospitals.
They’re Cost-Effective for the Hospital
Locum tenens are not full-time employees. Therefore, hospitals don’t have to pay them benefits. Hiring a locum tenens is a good way for the hospital to gain qualified physicians at a fraction of what it would cost them to hire a full-time medical specialist. Hospitals pay locum tenens by the hour, day, or week, and the locum tenens typically pay for their own health insurance.
Locum Tenens Can Turn Into Permanent Employees
Locum tenens often travel to various hospitals to see if they would benefit from working at a specific location and facility. Finding a replacement medical specialist can take a long time for hospital administrators. If the locum tenens and hospital staff find they would be a good fit, the locum tenens becomes the right candidate for the position.
Hospitals Benefit From Staffing Flexibility
Medical specialists contracted with a hospital sometimes take vacations, go on maternity or paternity leave, or volunteer their services. When the specialist takes time off, the hospital may become understaffed. Having a temporary doctor fill in for these short times helps with staffing flexibility.
Locum Tenens Ensure a Positive Patient Experience
When medical staff takes a leave of absence, a locum tenens can help with continued patient care. The patient gets the care they need without putting excess burden and workload on the other medical staff. Patients not having to endure long wait times for care or consultations have a positive experience. Increased patient satisfaction gives the hospital a good reputation for patient care.
Locum Tenens Can Care for Patients in Rural Area
People who live in rural or hard-to-reach areas may go without health care if the hospital is hard for them to reach or the hospital doesn’t have enough staff to send out. A locum tenens working for the nearest hospital can go to the patient and care for them. The hospital benefits by expanding its service area while ensuring they have enough medical staff on-site.
The Talent Society connects world-class locum tenens health care practitioners with high-quality facilities across the nation. Every locum tenens provider is carefully screened with background checks, and their licenses are checked and verified by The Talent Society’s team. Contact The Talent Society today to learn more about their health care facility connections and locum tenens providers.
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