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Locum Tenens ideal for retired physicians looking to rejoin the workforce

Author Healthcare Career Blogger | 07.10.2009

Coming out of retirement isn’t easy for anyone. Especially for doctors who haven’t practiced in a while.

Doctors looking to re-enter the workforce after a brief career solstice face a number of challenges. Depending on how many years you’ve been out, you may have to catch up on continuing education credits, learn new technologies and be flexible in your medical setting. Either way, the medical profession beckons your skills, even if just for two to three shifts a week.

What’s the solution for a doctor coming out of retirement?

First thing, says Dennis Urbanski, American Traveler Managing Director, is to find a locum tenens agency experienced in matching older physicians with the medical facilities that need them.

“With the physician shortage the way it is, putting a retired doctor back in the workforce is a godsend.”

Urbanski says locum tenens is ideal both for doctors in search of 20 or 30 hours of practice and for providers looking to supplement quality patient care. Top salaries are available, along with mal practice insurance, housing, paid travel and competitive locum tenens benefits.

Urbanski suggests that older, retired doctors make a realistic assessment of their current skill set prior to calling a locum tenens agency. This helps recruiters determine the most efficient course for re-entry and employment. Typically, physicians out of work for a year or less are easier to employ than those who haven’t practiced for two years and more. This, of course, depends on specialty, said Urbanski.

“Hospitalist jobs, for instance, are ideal for doctors coming out of retirement. For those who possess the needed proficiency in inpatient medicine – and who don’t mind working weekends or night shifts – there are hundreds if not thousands of available jobs.”

Once thing retired doctors must consider prior to re-entering the workforce, say experts, is that things will not be the same as when they left. A doctor may find physician jobs in rural areas easier to get than in big city hospitals and university settings. Conversely, high-need areas of the country, often associated with low-income households, are quicker to employ retired physicians because of needed skills and an increased demand for healthcare.

“There are plenty of jobs out there for doctors, retired or not,” said Urbanski. The challenge is; effectively marketing their skills among locations and medical settings in demand. Hospitalist jobs and primary care jobs are hot right now.”

Last month alone, 20,000 people searched Google for locum tenens and more than 27,000 searched for hospitalist jobs.

Find physician reentry resources

Reader's Comments

  1. Judy Kuriansky | July 28th, 2009 at 9:42 am

    I am writing with a unique opportunity. US Doctors for Africa is making a medical mission to Gabon , Africa . This is being supported and funded by the government of Gabon.

    US Doctors for Africa has been sending medical missions to countries in Africa , similar to the missions of Doctors Without Borders

    Please see http://www.usdfa.org, and the below description of our work, for information about US Doctors for Africa .

    Briefly,
    WHO: about 5-7 physicians, nurses, PA (Physician Assistants), residents, and retired Docs.
    WHAT: travel to Gabon for a 15-day mission. You would be engaged in primary care services in rural settings. Most of the medication will be provided by the government
    WHEN: The team would have to leave at the beginning of August – August 7th-12th — returning on August 26th.
    FINANCES: All expenses are paid. This includes business-class airfare, all housing and ground transportation, as well as meals during the entire stay in Gabon . In addition, a few thousand dollars honorarium would be provided.

    Please contact Dr Judy Kuriansky immediately if you can do this, as time is of the essence in planning. Email a note and CV to USDocsAfricaMission@gmail.com

    Please feel free to forward this to colleagues who would be interested.
    I hope you can join us on this amazing trip.

    Best,
    Ted Alemayhu,
    Chairman of the Board, Founder and CEO , US Doctors for Africa
    and
    DrJudy Kuriansky
    Board member, US Doctors for Africa
    Director, psychosocial services

    Our Mission
    THE MISSION OF US DOCTORS FOR AFRICA: US Doctors for Africa is a humanitarian organization committed to increasing access to medical care for diseases and conditions affecting the people of Africa . By mobilizing and distributing medical manpower, supplies, and equipment to medical institutions throughout thecontinent of Africa, we are able to provide medical and preventative healthcare and capacity-building to regions of Africa without available medical services. US Doctors for Africa believes that healthcare is a basic human right, and recognizes that a healthy population is essential for growth, development, and prosperity in every society.
    Ted M. Alemayhu
    Executive Chairman & CEO
    US Doctors For Africa
    ph: 818.728.6629
    url: http://www.usdfa.org

  2. Paul Smith | November 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    The smartest locums try to make life for the practice manager easier. By doing so, they create a relationship where stability around job retention is better.

    If you are a locum, you should look at Locum Calendar. This free online software tool will allow your regular practices to always see your availability, book you within 2 clicks and get to you anywhere from net to cell phone.

    All you do is set your dates up, let your regular practices know about it and both you and them can communicate for free. It is that simple. Smart technology just goes a long way.

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