A Guide to Physician Assistant Travel Jobs
Healthcare is a dynamic field in regards to patient care as well as the staffing required to provide those medical needs. Job turnover at medical facilities can be high, and demand often exceeds the availability of licensed providers. To fill open positions, either temporarily or permanently, hospitals and clinics often rely on independent contractors. Already alleviating the physician shortage, the physician assistant profession also is a valuable asset in this role.
Termed locum tenens assignments, physician assistants can be “placeholders” for their peers that are on maternity leave or recovering from a surgery, and provide support during times of increased need for care. Traveling long distances is not a requirement, however, for those that like the adventure of practicing in a new environment and location, a locum tenens job is a great opportunity to go anywhere there is a void.
Understanding Physician Assistant Travel Assignments
Each assignment will vary, but your role as a physician assistant will remain unchanged. You will continue to evaluate patients, order and interpret tests, provide treatment, write prescriptions, or participate in surgery. The primary difference is that you will be a temporary employee, typically anywhere from a couple of days, to usually a few months. Transitioning to a permanent position is also possible, especially if there is a mutual fit and enjoyment.
As with most aspects of the physician assistant profession, a locum tenens job offers flexibility. One can decide to seek opportunities on their own, but typically signing on with a registry company is the easiest and most efficient manner to find a position. Speaking with a recruiter, a physician assistant applicant can be selective in regards to where, when, and what employment prospects await.
-Where can be a rural, suburban, or urban setting in a coastal, mountain, desert, or inland location. It can be a few miles from where you live, or clear across the country, depending on your choosing. Chances are, wherever you would like to visit, there is a position available.
-When is the time frame required to fulfill your contract. Usually arrangements are made 60 – 90 days in advance, and the duration of the position can vary, but almost always is less than 3-6 months.
-What are the actual duties the physician assistant will be required to perform. It could be inpatient medical care in a hospital, evaluating pediatrics in an urgent care setting, or seeing adult patients in a clinic. The goal is you are familiar with the type of care; only the location and staff will be new.
In reality, the flexibility extends further and includes part-time versus full-time roles, the chance to practice within different specialties, and work different shifts. It can be an appealing option for newer physician assistants with 1-2 years experience still deciding where they would like to eventually settle, as well as to those who would like a change of scenery from their current job. Even those transitioning into retirement can benefit, usually finding a place to end their physician assistant career and achieve any last goals.
Benefits of Pursuing a Physician Assistant Travel Assignment
Often cited first, flexibility is a major benefit of locum tenens. However, it is only one of many perks. Professionally, locum tenens jobs expose a physician assistant to a new environment, and likely, alternative ways to deliver care. This can improve, or just sharpen, a physician assistant’s skill set. You will learn something from every hospital or clinic you are employed. This knowledge will be incorporated into your personal practice, making you a better medical provider. Additionally, meeting new providers expands your network with both colleagues and national facilities.
Another favorable advantage to this employment is the potential to earn higher income. One can take weekend locum tenens positions to supplement their permanent position salary, or hire on as a temporary independent contractor for increased hourly rates. The extra money can then be utilized to pay down student debt, purchase luxury items, or be funneled into savings accounts. Health, dental, and vision benefits can be minimal, and a 1099 tax form often replaces a W-2, therefore one should also inquire about these changes with their recruiter.
Lastly, locum tenens can be a strategy to avoid burnout and fatigue. It empowers one with control over their schedule and role. Often there are less administrative tasks, relieving the burden of paperwork. And the travel to fresh and unique jobs can revitalize a physician assistant, ultimately renewing their passion to practice medicine.
Challenges and Considerations
With the many pros of locum tenens, it also has its cons. Each new assignment will require learning a new system. This can be as simple as researching the driving route to the new employment facility, or as complicated as navigating different electronic medical records. Integrating the process is often easier than mentally assumed, however the hurdle is inevitably present.
Other obstacles relate to relocating. It can separate a physician assistant from their family and friends, while at the same time, prevent them from developing long term relationships with new colleagues as the temporary jobs are too short in duration. A physician assistant can occasionally feel isolated and often, not a fully integrated member of a team. It is important to consider the duration of an assignment prior to committing, or mentally prepare to sacrifice some time upfront with the benefit of having ample vacation days available when the job is fulfilled.
The brief opportunities also come with an abundance of paperwork associated with privileging and licensing, which partly explains the 2-3 month time allotment needed prior to deployment to your new position. As always, the first time is the most challenging, especially if one chooses to perform the process on their own. To simplify matters, it is best to use a registry agency. The recruiter will then defer the necessary licensing and credentialing to experienced personnel. Often they will take care of everything, including verification fees, application costs, and dealings with each state’s licensing board. Some of the more popular agencies include:
If interested, let them know BillAthePA referred you!
How to Get Started
The majority of hospitals and medical offices have partnerships with various locum tenens agencies to avoid unplanned gaps in coverage, increase staffing during busy seasons, alleviate the burden of high turnover, and secure temporary personnel due to an inability to maintain permanent staff. All these strategies are effective at maintaining workflow, continued quality medical care, and avoiding burnout in their routine staff.
Therefore, the easiest way to obtain a locum tenens position is via a registry agency. You can link on the aforementioned sites or explore different companies via an internet search engine. Mostly all have the same process:
- An initial phone consultation to discuss personal goals and your work history in order to find the best job fit.
- Following, a list of available jobs will be provided which the applicant will review and decide which positions they are interested in filling. The physician assistant will need to provide necessary paperwork, including but not limited to, their resume, current state license, DEA number, vaccination records, and certifications such as ACLS or BLS.
- The hiring medical organization then will interview chosen physician assistant applicants for the position.
- If approved, and both parties are in agreement to move forward, the recruiter will handle the final details. They work closely with the physician assistant to ensure they have the necessary state license, credentialing requirements, independent contractor forms, and travel/lodging details.
An example of a potential job offering is as follows:
Hi, I am working with a facility in Arizona that needs locum coverage. Please review the job description below and contact me or reply to this email if you are interested in learning more. I may not have your updated CV on file, so please send me one for my initial review.
Job Quick Facts:
Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery PA
Job Type: Locum Tenens
Facility Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Service Setting: Inpatient
Reason For Coverage: Supplemental
Coverage Period: Jul 9, 2024 – Ongoing
Coverage Type: Clinical + Call
Shift Schedule: 4 days per month; 7a-3p
Call Schedule: 4 days per month; 3p-7a
Patient Volume: 10-15 CVICU step down patients
Patient Demographics: Adult
Number of Surgeries per day: 1-2
Required Skills: Recent cardiothoracic surgery experience
Special Procedures: Temporary pacemaker removal, chest tube removal, IABP removal, Aline placement.
No. of Beds: 199
EMR: Epic
Travel, lodging, and malpractice insurance covered
Requirements:
Active AZ License
BC/BE
DEA
At least 3 yrs of experience in cardiothoracic surgery with EVH
ACLS and BLS (AHA)
COVID & Flu Vaccination proofs/exemptions
Success Stories
I personally have not taken a locum tenens position but have encountered many physician assistants, through both my place of employment and friendship, that have explored this option. All were satisfied with their decision and were without regret.
Their reasons were different but showed the flexibility and benefits of travel positions. One physician assistant needed to relocate due to his spouse’s new job, and took advantage of the opportunity to search for different positions while learning the environment. Another got to fulfill his dream of living in Alaska through temporary placement at an emergency department. As for me, I intend to discover potential retirement destinations while practicing cardiology over my final months of employment.
Overall, locum tenens is more than the Latin translation of “to hold the place of”. It extends the highly regarded work-life balance of becoming a physician assistant by improving control of your schedule, having job flexibility, and increasing your earning potential. It can be a temporary tool to avoid burnout, or can be a permanent career full of travel to various and endless opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to be a graduate of an accredited physician assistant program and certified by the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants). Typical applicants have 1-2 years of experience in a specific field. Additionally, you will need to obtain a license in the specific state you work, and fulfill each facility’s credentialing requirements.
Overall, the role is similar in regards to the practice of medicine. Differences are attributed to the temporary nature of employment versus permanent. Travel physician assistants are independent contractors and will often need to fill out a 1099 tax form as opposed to a W-2. Furthermore, they often pay for their own medical, dental, and vision benefits, although some registry agencies will cover these expenses. This cost is often offset by lodging/housing and travel reimbursement, as well as higher hourly rates due to the need for these providers on short notice.
Currently there are limited opportunities for physician assistants to work internationally. It is possible, although ongoing regulations make this option more difficult to obtain. The best advice is to inquire with a registry agency about current availability.
The main obstacle is emotionally navigating both a new location and work environment simultaneously, not unlike how you felt when you were first hired at your current job. Most locum tenens jobs have staff to support you each step of the way to reduce any anxiety, answer any questions, and provide assistance if needed.
The best advice is to perform a phone consultation with several registry agencies and link with a recruiter you feel a trustworthy bond with. A good recruiter will make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Although travel positions are not for everyone, if you have a desire to see the country, experience different specialties, and meet new people, a locum tenens position is highly recommended.
