If you are one of the administrators in charge of staffing physicians and surgeons for your hospital, you no doubt only want to attract the best of the best.
Many locum tenens agencies make it a point to recruit higher caliber physicians and other healthcare providers.
Although agencies will screen candidates, there are certainly areas that you will want to make sure are covered.
Here are some requirements:
Track Record of Solid Decision Making
If locum tenens hospitalists were professional athletes, they’d be free agents. As such, they are going to be extremely self-aware.
That means that they likely have a track record of making decisions on the fly and in the best interests of patients. And that’s what you’re looking for in your hospital.
Whether you’re placing a temporary physician in your emergency department or need a relief internist for a med/surg floor, you’ll want a leader who can make smart choices on the fly.
Focus on Patient Care
Patients are the lifeblood of your business, so it’s imperative that any team members you have at your hospital share a commitment to providing the best patient care possible.
Many factors are integrated into this component, including having a great bedside manner, actively listening to patients’ and family members’ concerns, and excellent communication skills during what could be a stressful time.
Long-term Relationships with Existing Hospitals
A strong network is invaluable, no matter your profession.
As a locum tenens hospitalist in a hospital, it can be a real benefit to have connections to local and nationwide professionals and hospitals. While a local hospitalist may know people in that region, locum tenens hospitalists come to you with a wealth of experience at facilities across the country, which broadens their reach.
Reliability and Professionalism
It goes without saying that any time you add a member to your hospital staff, you expect them to be extremely reliable and exude professionalism. Since most locum tenens hospitalists have already completed experiences at a variety of facilities and with diverse populations, they are able to maintain their professionalism under all kinds of situations and with myriad types of people. What a great resource to have!