| Most physicians enter into a locum tenen | | | | an acceptable provision for the locum tene |
| agreement because they want the opportunity to | | | | company or the practice, another option is to |
| experience a different region of the country or a | | | | enter into an initial agreement lasting only a few |
| different kind of environment in which to practice. | | | | weeks with the option to extend the agreement. |
| But unless the physician is absolutely certain about | | | | Understand that the locum tenem has certain |
| the terms of the locum tenem agreement, he or | | | | responsibilities to you as well as the practice. |
| she can end up suffering under an abusive work | | | | These include providing malpractice insurance, |
| environment, living in sub-par shelter or even being | | | | ensuring adequate lodging, your travel expenses |
| a virtual prisoner of the clinic or practice. | | | | and a rental car if needed. |
| Most locum tene agreements are entered into | | | | If possible, make sure the company guarantees |
| through a locum tenen company. Remember that | | | | lodging with basic amenities such as a heater or |
| the practice or clinic has paid the company to find | | | | air conditioning. When it comes to payment, do |
| a physician. Consequently, the locum tene | | | | not accept a promise of reimbursement and |
| company may "upsell" a clinic or practices. This | | | | under no circumstances give the locum tenen |
| means what the locum tenem company may | | | | company your credit card. Often times, locum |
| portray as a quaint, country family practice in a | | | | tenen companies can withhold payments for |
| tight-knit community may in fact be understaffed | | | | years. Arrange for the practice or clinic to pay |
| with inadequate facilities. | | | | you directly at regular intervals if possible. Ensure |
| As such, understand that the initial contract | | | | that the company, not you, is getting billed for |
| offered to you by the locum tenen company is | | | | plane tickets and rental car fees. |
| not a final agreement and does not have to be | | | | Also, make sure your contract includes a provision |
| accepted by you. Do not be afraid to negotiate | | | | that guarantees you some time off and the ability |
| your contract or revise the contract sent to you. | | | | to fulfill your desire to explore the surrounding |
| There are several specific terms you should be | | | | region. Some agreements can include geographical |
| sure to include in your agreement, the first of | | | | restraints, such as not allowing the physician to be |
| which is an escape clause in case you do end up | | | | more than a certain distance from the clinic at |
| in an abysmal situation or are simply not | | | | any given time. For many physicians, such a |
| comfortable in the environment. Make sure you | | | | clause would defeat the purpose of entering into |
| include a provision that gives you the option to | | | | a locum tenen in the first place. |
| terminate after one or two weeks. If that is not | | | | |