Choosing a Locum Tenens Agency: 8 Things to Look for

TLDR; Choosing the right locum tenens agency is crucial in addressing today’s healthcare staffing shortages and preventing staff burnout. A reliable partner offers tailored solutions, industry expertise, and a commitment to fostering long-term relationships.

We’re entering a new era of healthcare, where securing talent in specialized fields is more challenging than ever. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts the US will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036. Critical specialties have even worse projections to the tune of up to 19,900 surgeons in shortfall — as much as 74% of the total needed. 

As someone responsible for recruiting these top physicians, you already know how much pressure that brings, and how crucial it is to have a reliable locum tenens agency at your side.

Honestly, the labor shortage puts pressure on your entire team, not just the recruiters. Physicians and ancillary staff are experiencing higher rates of burnout in part because of these shortages. In 2023, nearly half (48.2%) of physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout, according to the AMA. While you may need to fill gaps caused by vacations, unexpected absences, or recently vacated positions, you can strengthen your long-term staffing game by building a partnership with a locum tenens agency.

To help you combat these staffing shortages, your trusted partner must understand your needs and the needs of top talent physicians. As responsive, experienced and empathetic medical matchmakers, your locums partner should be committed to helping you not just survive these projected shortages, but thrive in the face of the obstacles they pose. That’s where Era Locums comes in. 

Era Locums is your modern solution to today’s healthcare challenges. With an average of 12+ years of industry experience, our team understands the nuances of physician staffing. We offer concierge locum tenens solutions that match top talent to the right facilities. So why should you be in this new era with us? We're so glad you asked.

What to Look for in a Locum Tenens Agency Partner

• When to Use a Locum Tenens Agency
• 1. Concierge Service
• 2. Continuity of Care
• 3. Industry Expertise
• 4. Happier Physicians
• 5. Rigorous Credentialing
• 6. Transparency
• 7. Cost Effectiveness
• 8. Long-Lasting Relationships
• Discover a New Era of Locums

When to Use a Locum Tenens Agency

There are many situations in which healthcare organizations turn to locums staffing. The most common include short-term coverage and staffing gaps, like when you need temporary coverage for a physician's absence due to vacation, maternity leave, or illness. You may also experience seasonal spikes, with high patient volume or emergencies. Locums agencies also assist with specialty needs, which arise when you require a specific specialty that is hard to fill locally. Locums staffing agencies also help in areas that face geographic challenges, where it can be hard to attract permanent staff into serving historically underserved areas.

Administrators know the drill when it comes to working with large staffing vendors: you’re a account number, and your complex staffing challenges are reduced to a ticket in a queue. For an administrator who needs strategic solutions, not just warm bodies, that model is a liability. Partnering with a smaller locum tenens agency is a deliberate choice to change that dynamic. Here, your success is our survival. In our organization, every placement is a priority, and every client relationship is personal. This means that the consultant you work with has the full backing of a tight-knit team, including leadership that is actively involved in ensuring the partnership delivers.

1. Hands-on Concierge Service

A good locums partner establishes strong relationships with the physicians themselves, providing them with personalized career support as they look for and move into a new role.

At Era, we take a concierge approach to staffing. That means comprehensive service, from our initial consultation to interview support to finalized assignments to on-the-job support. We’ll help manage the locum tenens physicians, find them housing, and even assist with grocery deliveries to ensure you don’t have to stretch your already-limited time. We even partnered with ScribeAmerica to provide locum tenens physicians with much-appreciated virtual scribes to help them complete hospital paperwork. (Yeah, we know paperwork a top complaint in physician burnout studies.)

All this allows you to focus on what matters most: ensuring you have the talent required for your facility to deliver outstanding patient care.

“Era Locums took the time to understand the needs of our organization and worked diligently to locate appropriate candidates. They were proactive, timely, communicated well, and took the initiative to connect with supporting departments within my organization so that I did not have to act as a go-between. They really streamlined what would normally would have been a time-consuming effort.”

—Julian F., Sutter Health

2. Continuity of Care

Uninterrupted patient care is non-negotiable. That’s why a strong staffing partner should maintain a robust network of highly skilled physicians in a wide range of specialties who are fully prepared to step in and meet your staffing needs.

At Era Locums, we have the talent necessary to prioritize urgency without sacrificing quality. With our streamlined processes and proactive approach, we fill roles promptly so your patients receive the continuous, high-quality care they deserve. We continuously optimize our process to make it easier for us to find the top specialists for you.

3. Unmatched Industry Expertise and Specialization

Each healthcare facility is unique, with its own set of challenges and requirements. The right agency partner will have extensive experience in the locums industry that includes a deep understanding of these nuances. We've seen first-hand how unparalleled expertise drives hospital and physician satisfaction in the matches we make.

That's why our agency specializes in making real connections - with you and your team, your facility and the roles you need, with the physicians and their dream jobs. Those connections ensure that we're providing your facility with highly qualified MDs and DOs in key specialties such as psychiatry, OB-GYN, and hematology-oncology.

Our targeted focus enables us to move faster, which is critical for matching you with top candidates who are experts in what your facility needs and who bring a record of exceptional patient care.

Our focus goes beyond filling positions: We provide specialized talent to help your facility thrive. We recognize that the right match makes all the difference. Our highly-experienced team ensures that your own roster is strengthened with the best physicians on the job market.

4. Happier, More Productive Physicians

Happy physicians are one of the most notable signs of a strong locum tenens partnership. Patients of fulfilled physicians report higher levels of satisfaction. At the same time, low professional fulfillment is associated with an increased chance of medical errors, according to a cross-sectional study published by the National Institute of Health. 

At Era Locums, we're dedicated to physicians’ satisfaction by empowering them with a flexible, rewarding career. Our concierge services cover their most essential needs, ensuring that they aren't needlessly preoccupied with the challenges of relocation. At the same time, by trusting locums to step in and reduce workloads during busy periods, you’re likely to see higher job satisfaction in your permanent physicians. 

Providing additional support for your team improves workplace culture and allows your facility to enhance patient outcomes. At the end of the day, it's all about that: offering the patient care possible.

5. Rigorous Screening and Credentialing

The credentialing process is one of the most significant challenges healthcare facilities face. When it comes to credentialing, the right locums partner is transparent and supportive throughout the process, ensuring that it moves as efficiently as possible. A strong partner shares details about credentialing with their physicians up front so they know what to expect, and they will assist both parties every step of the way.

At Era Locums, we pride ourselves on our proactive approach to candidate screening. To make the process as frictionless as possible, we collect and organize all the necessary documentation, helping you fill critical roles faster while maintaining the high standards your facility requires. In addition to our thorough vetting process, we conduct a detailed assessment of each candidate’s experience and skills, ensuring we only present the most reliable professionals in the field. Our locum tenens physicians are highly-qualified specialists, giving you the peace of mind that your patients are in the best hands.

“Era Locums Credentialing - Amy Comalli is amazing to work with, she is professional and dependable. She is prompt in responding to emails, she makes sure a provider’s files are complete and she always asks clarifying questions when necessary. I really enjoy working with her.”

—Shannon, Washington State, Critical Access Hospital

6. Full Transparency in Agency Processes

Transparency is everything in the locums space. Transparency builds trust between all parties and ensures lasting, successful partnerships. You'll know you have a strong agency partner because you'll feel informed at every step of the process. Whether selecting the right physicians, managing credentialing and compliance, or coordinating travel and accommodations, you’ll always know exactly what’s happening and when.

You can trust Era Locums to handle the complexities of staffing with openness and honesty. We make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions. With us, there are no hidden steps or unexpected hurdles. We prioritize clear, straightforward communication so you feel confident in our ability to take the work off your shoulders. 

7. Cost-Effectiveness

Working with locum physicians helps you manage staffing needs without the long-term financial commitments of permanent hires and the costs that come with them. The flexibility locum physicians provide allows you to staff your healthcare facility efficiently, which can also lead to significant savings.

Locum tenens physicians also help ensure your facility remains fully operational, even during peak periods or unexpected absences. This helps support continuity of care and maintain consistent revenue flow.

Transparency is a top priority when it comes to costs, too. At Era, we have no hidden fees. You’ll always have a clear understanding of where your money is going, allowing you to manage your budget effectively and confidently.

8. Long-Lasting Relationships

The locum tenens industry is built on relationships, which is why a good agency emphasizes building theirs with physicians and healthcare leaders. When you're looking for a partner, it should be easy to locate information about partnerships such as testimonials or physician's stories. A history of award-winning locums staffing? Clearly a great sign. By cultivating solid and collaborative relationships, the right agency anticipates your needs and delivers solutions that make a difference. Their goals reach beyond those of a service provider — they're invested in, and support, your facility’s long-term success.

Having a trusted partner to help you navigate the new healthcare era makes all the difference. At Era Locums, we’re committed to being that partner who understands your recruiting challenges and shares your vision for a thriving, patient-centered facility. 

Discover a New Era of Locums

So, looking for a new locums partner? Era helps you find your people. Contact our expert recruiters today, or start browing open locum tenens positions on our job board!

Resources

• Featured Photo by Patty Brito on Unsplash
• Smiling Physician Photo by CDC on Unsplash
• Piggy Bank Photo by Konstantin Evdokimov on Unsplash

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