Making a Difference: 3 Ways Locum Tenens Clinicians Meet Needs and Impact the World

Refugee Care

In 2021, LocumTenens.com had the honor of providing physicians and advanced practitioners to care for Afghan refugees who were housed in U.S. military bases. Providing care for refugees is complex and complicated; while they are out of immediate danger and receiving much needed care, they continue to face struggles unimaginable to most of us living in the U.S. However, this is exactly what made this opportunity so uniquely rewarding for both LocumTenens.com associates and our clinicians.

“This is a challenging position but truly a humanitarian mission...kind of like the Peace Corps but in the U.S.,” shared one LocumTenens.com clinician who provided care for these patients. “The patients are really grateful, and the stories I have heard will just make you cry."

Because of the flexibility of locum tenens staffing solutions, LocumTenens.com was able to keep up with the everchanging needs of this patient population while providing care during one of the darkest and scariest times of their lives. The incredible clinicians we have the privilege of working with made an immeasurable impact, and I am confident they will continue to do so, should other, similar needs for their services arise in the future.

Makeshift COVID Units

Throughout the pandemic, locum tenens clinicians from across the country have selflessly traveled to COVID hotspots, wherever and whenever their help is needed most. Many healthcare facilities set up makeshift COVID units during times of high volume that have ebbed and flowed, and because of the flexibility of locum tenens staffing solutions, they ensured they had the staff to meet the demands of their high acuity patients.

"I made the decision to serve in a hotspot because I took the Hippocratic Oath,” explained a LocumTenens.com CRNA. “I knew I was needed there. I'm trained to serve, and I work well under pressure. My previous experiences have collectively given me the hands-on experience I needed to be able to help.”

Although COVID case numbers are continuing to decline, LocumTenens.com has the resources to help healthcare facilities in similar ways during future COVID surges, flu seasons and other times of higher-than-normal volume.

Prison System

Working in the correction system can be challenging and also rewarding. Many of the patients you encounter in the prison system come from underserved communities. There is a real opportunity to make an impact on their health and long-term outlook.

MaryAnn Curl, M.D. has worked locum tenens for the prison system in Virginia for a number of years. She has even chronicled a few impactful patient experiences.

“On deciding to try out an assignment at a prison, I had a million questions, but the first on my mind was, ‘Is it safe?’,” said Curl. “The medical director put my mind at ease by describing the many measures that are taken including physical barriers, protocols. Through my connection with LocumTenens.com, I have been able to secure permanent employment in a corrections setting.”

Mental health is a particular area of focus in prisons. There is a large percentage of the population who suffer from mental illness, many of whom may not have been formally diagnosed. As a result, many corrections facilities provide a wide range of mental health services. Clinicians have an opportunity to make an impact on this population and provide valuable care, even for the duration of a locum tenens contract.

Locum tenens work can be fulfilling and impactful for clinicians. As a result, there are a broad range of clinicians who choose to work locum tenens, which gives LocumTenens.com a wide spectrum of experienced clinicians who have expertise in any setting. This level of staffing support can bring flexibility and scale to an organization, while ensuring access to care for patients.

If you’re interested in learning more about how LocumTenens.com can help meet your facility’s staffing needs, or if you’re interested in working locum tenens, speak with an associate today.