We sat down with Consilium Regional Vice President and Partner Jake Raper to ask him why locum tenens is a lucrative option for facilities as well as physicians, CRNAs, CAAs and other healthcare providers. Read what he had to share.
Editorial Team: “Hello, Jake. Thank you for sitting down to talk about locum tenens.
“Consilium just released ‘Trends in Locum Tenens 2024,’ in which there are insights around locums and the flexibility locums provides to physicians and to facilities. The report states that the #2 benefit that facilities realize when hiring locum tenens is “quick availability,” with “continuity of care” coming in at #1.
“And a notable 66% of the healthcare administrators that responded to Consilium’s survey said they anticipate ‘maintaining or increasing their use of locum tenens in the coming year.’”
Jake: “Yes, our research reflects what we already knew, that locums and their availability to fill physician gaps in coverage is a true benefit to facilities for many reasons.”
ET: “In terms of flexibility, is it true that someone can work locum tenens for one day or one year, or more if the facility needs them?”
Jake: “YES! The beauty of having a locum tenens provider is that you can use them for the exact situation that your facility is in. For instance, your facility may just need a day of coverage because your current provider is going to be out of town at a conference. Also, your site may have a search open that is a more difficult search. You can bring in a locum provider to see patients while you focus on finding your long-term solution. As some permanent searches can take years, a locum can provide stability in the facility. We have some locum tenens providers who have worked at the same facility for over 5 years!”
ET: “Wow, that’s truly great. And we know that locum physicians, CRNAs, CAAs and other locums love the work-length flexibility as well. What is the average length of an assignment?”
Jake: “The average assignment length for a locum tenens provider is anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Some facilities find that they don’t need a locum provider for that long, while other facilities may choose to extend the contract of their locum tenens provider. But again, someone can work for one day or for years. It’s that flexible. And we’re able to place people for any length that the facility needs.”
ET: “That sounds right. Our report showed that 23% of respondents said the average locum length in their organization was 3-5 months. And 37% said 6+ months. So that lines up.
“Ok next question. Does working locum tenens offer flexibility for the provider? If so, how? (I guess that’s two questions!)”
Jake: “Yes. One of the main reasons physicians and advanced practitioners choose to work as a locum is because of the flexibility it affords them to have in their lives. Many locums are looking for ways to supplement their full-time jobs. Being a locum allows them to work shifts at other facilities in their free time or down time.
“Also, Consilium facilitates any required travel, plus the process of obtaining new state licenses. So a provider can be home during the summer then fly down to Florida and work an assignment there for the winter!”
ET: “It sounds like “flexibility” is a benefit that applies to practitioners as well as the facilities. Is there anything else you can think of to share with us?”
Jake: “Sure! I would say that many people think “Locum Tenens,” and they think “temporary.” That isn’t always the case. If a facility needs temporary coverage, locums can cover that. However, if a facility needs long-term, ongoing coverage, then a locum can cover that as well! It all depends on what the facility needs. And whatever that need is, Consilium will find it for them!”
Download the full report, “Trends in Locum Tenens 2024”
