The medical industry is in crisis today. Employee burnout, high patient occupancy levels, and staffing shortages plague healthcare facilities. To overcome these challenges, many organizations rely on locum tenens to fill open positions. How do these temporary workers help alleviate problems seen in the industry?
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Staffing Shortages
Hospitals and healthcare facilities frequently cope with physician and other medical personnel shortages by hiring locum tenens workers to provide temporary coverage. They turn to a staffing agency to receive access to qualified professionals who can step in and fill gaps in their staff. These workers may cover individuals absent due to health issues or vacations. Locum tenens might also be used when a medical professional resigns. They fill the position until a new permanent employee can be hired.
Employee Burnout
The medical industry long ago realized employee burnout is a concern. The global pandemic only escalated this issue. Full-time workers often work overtime to ensure patients get the care they need. In addition, these workers are usually stressed, as they lack the necessary resources to provide a high level of care. There are several reasons why these resources may not be available, and the healthcare organization only has control over some of them. Locum tenens help reduce the risk of burnout. They provide respite for full-time workers and ensure these workers can find the right balance between home and work. Providers can step away temporarily while knowing their patients are still receiving care.
Student Debt
Anyone who has attended medical school knows the high price tag associated with this education. Even those who choose to enter other healthcare professions might find themselves overwhelmed with student debt. Working as a locum tenens can help relieve some of the pressure associated with these loans. Locum Tenens’ compensation rates are very competitive, so a person choosing to take on temporary assignments may pay this debt off faster, providing them with needed relief from the stress of owing money.
Operational Costs
Operational costs increase when a healthcare facility is understaffed. Full-time employees will not remain with the organization long, so it must pay the costs associated with recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new workers. Furthermore, the time needed to care for patients increases when the facility is understaffed, leading to higher operational costs. When a facility brings in locum tenens, it is better able to control these costs. The organization can scale services to accommodate patient demand and increase revenue. Doing so allows them to pay fair wages to temporary workers, which encourages these workers to return when the facility again needs more hands on deck.
Improved Patient Care
A lack of adequate medical care remains a concern in rural and underserved communities. When individuals don’t receive care promptly, the need for more intensive care increases, and healthcare costs rise. Locum tenens often go into these areas to treat patients. Preventative care is always best, and locum tenens are usually the ones to provide this care. They may do so alone or support providers in these communities who are overworked and need help. These professionals are also of benefit in cities and metropolitan areas. They fill gaps in staffing to ensure all patients receive the care they need.
Locum tenens fill staffing shortages, but they do much more than this. Any healthcare organization will benefit from the use of these professionals. They are helping take healthcare to a higher level today.