Locum tenens opportunities abound. Use this guide from Cross Country Staffing to streamline the process of getting started on your locum tenens opportunity. Learn more at crosscountryhealthcare.com.

More and more doctors are seeking out locum tenens opportunities, while
 hospitals and clinics are also finding it a viable option to close gaps in
 service needs. Medical professionals look for flexibility and travel
 opportunities, while medical facilities, ranging from rural solo practices to
 large metro healthcare systems, seek this type of relationship to augment
 their physician staffing needs &ndash; creating a win-win for both parties.


Physicians and other medical professionals find benefit in:

<ul>
 <li>The flexibility</li>
 <li>The added income potential</li>
 <li>The ability to travel and see new places</li>
</ul>

Hospitals and medical facilities find benefit in:

<ul>
 <li>Filling gaps when someone goes on vacation, sabbatical or quits.</li>
 <li>Assistance for existing staff during peak seasons</li>
</ul>


 If you fall into the category of a healthcare professional seeking out a locum
 tenens opportunity, there are a few best practices to follow to ensure you
 line up the role that is best fit for your skills and objectives.


<h2>A Mini Guide to Finding the Perfect Locum Tenens</h2>


 1. Connect with a locum tenens agency. 
 The first step is to initiate a relationship with a
 <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/" target="_blank"
 >qualified agency</a
 >
 that can help you with locum tenens opportunities. You may find them by
 applying for a specific job that they have posted online or by researching a
 top agency and reaching out directly. This is the best first step because once
 you have this connection with an agency and a recruiter, the recruiter will
 become your partner in helping you define your goals, objectives and
 opportunities.



 2. Determine what you&rsquo;re seeking from your locum tenens
 opportunity. 
 Your recruiter will be your expert advisor to help you understand the market
 and available opportunities. As such, he or she will also gain a deeper
 understanding of your goals for your locum tenens opportunity so the two of
 you can work closely to identify those opportunities that fit your needs.



 3. Drill down on the details of the opportunities that are presented to
 you. 
 As you begin to review locum tenens opportunities, be sure to pay special
 attention to all the details. In the details of the role, you will find the
 skills required, details about the work environment and the length of the
 assignment &ndash; among other things. It&rsquo;s easy to get caught up in the
 location and overlook key details, so this is the chance to review it with a
 discerning eye to make sure it aligns with you and your background. Note the
 pay, duration of the assignment, specific qualification requirements as well
 as other important details. During this process, don&rsquo;t hesitate to reach
 out to your recruiter to get clarification.



 4. Provide all the relevant details to your agency. 
 Your agency will request a few key pieces of information from you,
 including: 
 An up-to-date resume or CV &ndash; You will need a
 well-structured CV to reflect your work experience, qualifications and
 education. Use these tips to ensure that your resume is optimized:


<ul>
 <li>
 Make sure it is updated with new affiliations, licenses, accreditations and
 employment history, including locum tenens roles.
 </li>
 <li>
 pay attention to the details, ensuring that the dates are accurate and gaps
 in employment are explained.
 </li>
 <li>
 Use formatting best practices by breaking up the text with title headings
 and using an easy-to-read font.
 </li>
 <li>
 Customize your resume and cover letter for each opportunity as much as
 possible.
 </li>
</ul>


 5. Obtain the necessary licenses and credentials. 
 Your upcoming locum tenens opportunity may require an additional layer of
 documentation, licensing and credentials. Your recruiter will be a valuable
 guide in helping you understand what is required for each specific role. Here
 is a benchmark of some of the types of things you&rsquo;ll want to keep on
 your radar as you seek out new locum tenens roles.


<ul>
 <li>
 Documentation &ndash; Providing this to your recruiter will
 make it quick and easy for him/her to quickly verify your eligibility to
 work in a particular state and role. Be sure to have your licenses,
 certifications, immunization records, professional recommendations, and
 other vital documents organized and easy to present.
 </li>
 <li>
 Licenses and Credentials &ndash; Each state has a different
 process, and requirements also vary from state to state. You&rsquo;ll want
 to expedite the process as much as possible by getting started on it as
 early as possible. You may want to explore an Interstate Medical Licensure
 Compact (IMLC). Your locum tenens agency will also help you streamline the
 licensing and credentialing process.
 </li>
 <li>
 Hospital Privileging &ndash; Depending on the specifics of
 your locum tenens opportunity, you may need hospital privileges. Your agency
 connection will play a pivotal role in assessing this need and streamlining
 the application for privilege process.
 </li>
</ul>


 6. Work with your agency partner on housing and travel. 
 Now that you are in the final stages of your locum tenens opportunity search,
 you&rsquo;ll need to start working on travel and housing details. Again, your
 agency will play a key role in helping you find short-term housing leads and
 work through the ins and outs of temporarily relocating. You will want to
 confirm details such as who is covering the cost of flights, rental car or
 mileage on your own car, as well as who is paying for housing while
 you&rsquo;re on assignment. You will also want to flesh out any budget caps
 and the best way to submit bills for reimbursement, if applicable.



 <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/" target="_blank"
 >Cross Country Locums</a
 >
 specializes in helping medical professionals find the perfect locum tenens
 opportunity, and we don’t stop there. We get to know you and take the time to
 gain a deep understanding of your skills and goals. Once you’re ready to apply
 for a desired role, we continue adding value to the process by guiding you
 every step of the way. Your success is our metric of a job well-done.
 <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/start-today" target="_blank"
 >Contact</a
 >
 a recruiter to get started today!

6 Must-haves When Applying for a Locum Tenens Opportunity