Starting your first locum tenens role is a pivotal moment in your career, offering unmatched clinical freedom, diversity, and professional development. When the journey is tailored to what matters most to physicians, the results are rewarding—personally and clinically. Here are seven key, physician-centric steps to set you up for success on your first assignment:

1. Define Your Clinical and Career Objectives
   • Specialty & Case Preferences: Consider what type of patients, procedures, or acuity levels fit your skills and aspirations. Do you want to broaden your clinical repertoire, serve in underserved areas, or specialize further?
   • Schedule & Lifestyle Goals: Know your ideal workload, call frequency, and shift structure to match assignments that fit your preferred work-life balance.
2. Select Assignments and Agencies that Support Physicians
   • Physician Testimonials: Talk with former locum physicians at a facility or agency to gain honest insights about the role and work environment.
   • Agency Physician Advocates: Prioritize agencies with staff who understand the unique clinical workflow and support that physicians require—not just administrative or HR processing.
3. Own the Credentialing Process—With Physician Efficiency
   • Credentialing Checklist: Maintain an up-to-date digital file with your licenses, DEA, CME certificates, and all relevant documents so you’re prepared for each new opportunity.
   • Streamline with IMLC: Use the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (if eligible) for faster, multi-state credentialing.
   • Personalize Applications: Highlight your specialty skills and unique clinical experiences to help agencies and facilities match your expertise to their needs.
4. Prepare for Effective Clinical Integration
   • Clinical Orientation Inquiries: Ahead of your start, clarify EMR systems, expected patient load, on-call expectations, and consult resources.
   • Standard Order Sets/Protocols: Ask for digital access to care guidelines or order sets tailored to your specialty to get oriented quickly.
5. Coordinate Physician-Centric Logistics
   • Travel & Accommodations: Ensure your lodging is comfortable, close to the facility, and has essentials like quiet space for rest or reliable internet for telehealth needs.
   • Local Medical Society & Peer Networks: Connect with area physician groups for personal support and professional networking during the assignment.
   • Pack for Practice: Bring all your licenses, any preferred specialty gear, and favorite references or devices.
6. Accelerate Relationships & Clinical Impact
   • Physician-to-Physician Introductions: Meet key medical staff, department leaders, and clinical colleagues early to build your support system.
   • Engage in Handoffs & Rounds: Participate in team rounds—sharing expertise and learning from local physicians accelerates your transition and clinical impact.
7. Self-Assess and Advance Your Physician Career
   • Log Key Cases/Procedures: Track unique clinical experiences for your records, maintenance of certification, or future credentialing.
   • Continuous Physician Feedback: Ask colleagues for input on your care and workflow, and use it to fine-tune your practice.
   • Plan Next Steps: Reflect on how each locum assignment fits your broader career plans, CME needs, and aspirations.

How We Support Physicians on Their Locum Tenens Journey

At each step of your locum tenens journey, you don’t have to go it alone. At Alliance Recruiting Resources, we help physicians find the right practice environments and assignments that suit their clinical skills and lifestyle. Our experienced recruiters are committed to supporting you with credentialing, licensure, assignment selection, and ongoing personal attention—so you can focus on delivering care and growing your career.

Learn more about how we support physicians with their locum assignments—including nationwide job matching, paperwork assistance, and personalized attention—by visiting:
https://www.alliancerr.com/locum-tenens-providers/1

Let us help you make every locum tenens experience a launchpad for your success.