Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are transforming the delivery of outpatient care in the United States. With more than 6,500 centers nationwide, ASCs are one of the fastest-expanding practice settings for anesthesia providers.
As healthcare facilities, ASCs conduct a variety of procedures, including knee replacements, biopsies, colonoscopies, and pain management injections. These procedures require adequate anesthesia administration not only for success but also for patient comfort.
Although dwindling in numbers, anesthesiologists and CRNAs are critical members of ASC patient care teams. Losing an experienced provider to retirement or family leave can lead to patient migration. To maintain continuity of care, 80% of healthcare facilities have turned to locum tenens providers.
As a locum CRNA or anesthesiologist, ASCs value expertise in multiple anesthesia specialties as well as clinical experience. Working as a locum in ASCs is a great option if you’re preparing for retirement or improving career skills. Explore how you can take advantage of the opportunities in this growing sector.
What Makes Working as a Locum at ASCs Different?
ASCs revolve around efficiency, patient satisfaction, and outpatient care. From reliable
scheduling to predictable pace, working as a locum at ASCs brings benefits, like the following:
Job security
As outpatient services continue to expand, growth is expected to increase 14% by 2035. While fighting a physician shortage, ASC owners look to locum
CRNAs and anesthesiologists to fill the need.
Locum assignments with ASCs can be extended from just a few months to a long-term partnership over the years. In fact, most locum tenens providers spend six months or more on assignment.
Work-Life Balance
You can find an ASC in most cities nationwide, with one-third of providers taking assignments less than 50 miles from home. For many providers, ASC schedules allow the workday to begin and end earlier.
Additionally, the absence of on-call duties offers greater schedule flexibility. This benefit provides consistent value to healthcare professionals.
Predictable Pace
ASCs also offer a welcome “change of pace” for those seeking variety in their careers. With lower acuity and less complex cases, the environment creates a steadier workflow. This work
environment also offers a more predictable pace compared to other care settings.
Growth Opportunities
Working as a locum CRNA at an ASC is a great way to gain experience while working a schedule best for you. More ASCs are moving toward CRNA-led medicine or medical care teams to provide care during an anesthesiologist (MD/DO) shortage. General, cardiac, and pediatric anesthesia are common specialties needed for ASC outpatient procedures.
Why Are ASCs Looking for Locum Anesthesia Providers?
Understanding the provider experience is only part of the story. Professionals should also look at why ASCs are increasingly turning to locum anesthesiologists and CRNAs in the first place.
- Lean staffing models. Unlike hospitals with larger anesthesia departments, ASCs run with leaner teams. One anesthesiologist on leave can disrupt the entire day’s surgical schedule. Locum providers enable ASC administrators to maintain continuity of care without interruption.
- Scheduling and patient satisfaction pressures. ASCs thrive on efficiency and predictability. Anesthesiologists sit at the center of this balance, supporting both patients and surgeons. Locum coverage keeps cases on schedule and helps surgeons avoid costly delays.
- Future-thinking strategy. ASCs are already planning ahead! They’re moving away from using third-party anesthesia groups, wanting to build strong, in-house teams instead. Locum tenens providers can find success as facilities build future-thinking staffing strategies.
How to Find the Right Locums Partner
With demand for anesthesia providers growing, the next step is knowing how to connect with the right opportunities. When you work with a trusted locum tenens partner, you’re able to find legitimate jobs at the rate you deserve.
In 2024, anesthesiologists and CRNAs worked more than 7,000 shifts through Consilium. Our recruiters and account managers work together as your partner in locum tenens. With our expertise in anesthesiology, we help providers navigate profitable opportunities in the ambulatory surgery centers.
Contact our recruiters to find anesthesia employment opportunities near you today!
