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It's no secret that one of the top reasons medical care providers seek locum tenens jobs is to supplement their income, but more and more, we are seeing medical care providers use locum tenens as their full-time career choice. There is a common misconception that a permanent position might offer more compensation. However, the physician shortage continues to grow, with a shortage of up to 139,000 Physicians expected by 2033, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. So there is a huge demand to fill vacant positions and often with urgent need to meet the demands of patient care.
Locum tenens work also offers Physicians the chance to work in regions or fields that pay more and provides the opportunity to negotiate. That all means working as a locum provider through locum tenens companies could potentially help you be paid even more than your peers while giving you the flexibility that so many of our providers are seeking. So what is the best way to make sure you maximize your locum tenens pay rate? Below is an overview of locum rates and tips on how to negotiate locum rates:
The hourly or daily rates of locum tenens are driven largely by market demand. The current shortage of Physicians working in your specialty, how quickly a facility needs the locum, and the type of shifts needed all factor into the Locum Tenens pay rate. That said, as a locum, you have control over many factors that could boost your pay rate, including:
There is always room for negotiation, so read on for top tips on how to maximize your pay rate:
Ultimately, you are in full control of your work as a locum. Long before you head into negotiations or an offer is ever presented, you need to decide your priorities and what your bottom line will be. What would a dream job offer look like? How much are you willing to compromise on (and what is a deal breaker for you)? The answers are different for everyone, which is actually a good thing. Not all providers are simply negotiating based on desired rate, so you don't need to lower your rate to get a competitive job. Which, if any, of these are non-negotiable for you?
If you can rank-order these in terms of priority, it makes the negotiating process much easier for both you and the facility. Remember, they need you. It's just a matter of finding the best fit.
Locum tenens have the freedom to choose when they want to work and how often they would like to work. The more flexible you are about your schedule, though, the better positioned you are to earn higher pay. Consider the following questions:
Permanent staff usually do not want these shifts, and they are hard-to-staff positions for the facility, so the more of these questions you say yes to, the more a facility may pay you at an hourly or daily rate to cover these kinds of shifts.
An estimated 90 percent of U.S. healthcare facilities use locum tenens providers, with positions available in all 50 states, from small rural practices to large healthcare facilities in major cities. Many doctors prefer to work closer to cities, so rural areas can struggle to acquire and retain permanent staff. That places a higher demand for locum tenens doctors in those areas. As a result, rural facilities usually offer more money to locum tenens providers. Keep in mind that these rates will be adjusted for the regional cost of living. For example, a rural facility in Arkansas will pay less overall than an urban facility in New York, but when compared to the cost of living you will often find the rural facilities are more generous when it comes to hourly rate. However, if rural areas are not appealing to you, there are many desirable (and well-paying) job opportunities near cities.
Like any job and the opportunity for raises over time, the longer you work for a particular facility or agency, the higher rate you may be able to negotiate. Establish yourself as an excellent, reliable, and easy-to-work-with Physician, and the hospital or agency will want to continue working with you as long as possible. Committing to staying at the same facility for longer or accepting ongoing positions may increase your salary. Likewise, if you build a loyal relationship with a locum staffing agency and continue to accept new assignments, this may also help you maximize your pay or other locums benefits.
Like all jobs, experience matters. The more experience you have providing care, and the better reputation you have built, the more appealing you will be to facilities looking to hire. And opportunity grows, too. If you build a reputation as a dependable locum, you will continue to benefit from that kind of experience. Do not worry - Physicians of all experience levels can still find well-paying locum jobs. Suppose you are fresh out of residency and interested in working at a locum tenens job for the first time. In that case, this is a great way to build an impressive and varied resume, make more money and/or have more flexibility early in your career.
PRO TIP: Add a section to your resume for "Licenses and Credentials" that features any active state licenses or special certification numbers you have, the license number, and expiration date. You would be surprised how many providers omit this from their resume! Some healthcare providers work locum tenens jobs in addition to their full-time jobs. That could mean simply picking up additional shifts on weekends to earn more money, expand your network or focus on keeping skills sharp. Some physicians are nearing retirement, and prefer the flexibility of a more custom schedule and the perks of traveling. These veteran Physicians tend to have the highest average locum salaries.
While better rates are often a make-or-break part of negotiations, do not forget: Your compensation as a locum can and should include more than pay. Our providers cite the overall sense of freedom as a major benefit: The freedom to choose when, where, and how often you work. You could travel to and explore a city you have always wanted to visit, or you could expand your resume and professional network. Here are a few additional aspects that may be up for negotiation:
Negotiating pay may not come easy for everyone, and it often leads to fear and anxiety for many people who have not used this skill very often. However, it is important to speak up and ask for what you want. You never know what you can get if you don't ask for it. In fact, many locum agencies are asked to "bid" on the job with a qualified candidate, so the rate is truly up for negotiation. You cannot blindly throw out any amount you want to be paid, though. Here are a few general tips for skillful negotiation to get the best compensation:
Before an offer, write down what is important to you and what is non-negotiable. Keep that piece of paper near you while you speak with the hiring manager or recruiter.
Research the average salary of physicians with the same specialty. Make sure to factor in your desired geographical area, too, because that affects the average salary.
You will likely have a salary range you are willing to accept. Ask for a salary on the higher end of that range and give yourself wiggle room to still end up with a salary you are happy with.
Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your negotiation in the mirror, on a video or with a friend until you feel comfortable that you can clearly articulate your expectations and ideal rate. Have confidence. The worst case scenario is you are told no, but that is better than never trying to get a higher locum tenens salary and maximizing your earning potential.
If this is your first time negotiating a locum contract, it helps to understand what makes up a locum tenens contract. Like any work agreement, the contract will include salary and pay details, working hours, and job duration. There are some additional contract terms you can expect to see:
Your contract will contain other information about insurance, time off, termination, and more. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions should you need clarification on any part of your contract.
Once you have determined how to negotiate rates directly and settled on an agreement, it’s time to get the contract in writing. Ensure that all terms are laid out in a confirmation letter and contract. You will need more than just verbal confirmation for sensitive terms such as pay, benefits, working hours, and other factors. If your employer seems insistent on filing paperwork later on, be wary of this. You should have all paperwork and contract terms signed and verified before you begin working.
Understanding the legality of locum negotiations is important so you can work out the best deal for yourself. Always look out for your best interests and remain professional and consistent throughout the process. Once the agreement is sorted and in writing, you can look forward to the next chapter of your career journey.
If you are looking for locum tenens work and need a reliable agency to help, Caliber is the team for the job. Our locum tenens staffing solution delivers more accessible access to talented physicians and practice providers. We believe every patient deserves access to medical care that makes them feel cared for, which is why we work to place qualified healthcare professionals in roles that fulfill them.
Ready to get started? Contact us today.
Locum tenens contract terms can vary, so if you want to end your contract, you will need to follow the proper guidelines. Some contracts require a 30-day notice; others may require more. Talk with your locum agency about how to end your contract if the position no longer suits you.
A locum tenens job can last anywhere from a few weeks to a full year, depending on how long the role needs to be filled.
To negotiate your locum tenens contract, make sure you know your priorities, what terms to ask for, and speak up for what you want. A strong negotiator will be clear with their expectations and articulate in their speaking.
