LOCUM TENENS 101

A GUIDE FOR PHYSICIANS AND ADVANCED PRACTITIONERS. Make locum tenens your full or part-time career. Work the way you want with Medicus locum tenens. 1

MEDICUS LOCUM TENENS, A FIT FOR ANY CAREER STAGE Locum tenens assignments can benefit any physician or advanced practitioner throughout their career! Whether you are a resident, fellow, an established physician, or an advanced practitioner – we invite you to check out the locum tenens lifestyle. Our locum tenens 101 eBook explains what locum tenens is and how it works. Most importantly, it equips you with the necessary tools to take advantage of a lucrative and rewarding career path.

YOUR 1-MINUTE READ ON ALL THINGS LOCUM TENENS Locum tenens work provides you with the flexibility to decide where, when, and how you work — giving you more autonomy over your career. Here are the main aspects to take note of: L You can work locum tenens full-time or in conjunction with your permanent job. L You have the opportunity to help underprivileged areas that are short-staffed. L You earn significant pay advantages. L You can travel 10 or 3,000 miles from home.

Medicus Healthcare Solutions is my preferred locum tenens company because of the flexibility, loyalty, honesty, and transparency of everyone I have interacted with.

L You can make your own schedule. L You have access to personalized health benefits and resources when working with Medicus. L You can select which position is best for you – traditional coverage, consulting, leadership roles, entire program launches, and more.

© Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

– Dr. S, Hospitalist

Table of Contents 01 What is Locum Tenens

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02 Why Work Locum Tenens?

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03 Starting Your Locum Tenens Journey With Medicus

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04 The Anatomy of a Locum Tenens Agreement

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1 WHAT IS LOCUM TENENS? Locum Tenens [lo·cum te·nens] noun 1. Latin for one holding a place. When accepting a locum tenens job, you are essentially filling a shift at a healthcare facility temporarily. Locum tenens work emerged in the late 1970s as rural facilities struggled to hire enough staff to meet the care needs of local patients. It has since surged in popularity and has been adopted by healthcare organizations across all specialties. As healthcare facilities continue to face staffing shortages and physicians and advanced practitioners seek more flexibility in their schedules, locum tenens work has become increasingly popular and promises continued growth.

This was my first locum experience, and it was absolutely flawless. All of my questions and concerns were addressed in a timely manner, and I always felt comfortable with what was expected of me on a daily basis. My recruiter is super organized, and I hope to continue working with them for a long time to come! – Dr. R, Gastroenterologist

© Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

2 WHY WORK LOCUM TENENS? The flexibility of this career choice offers the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country, experience new practice environments, and increase work-life balance! You can work locum tenens full-time or in addition to your permanent position. Transform your future work experience with the following benefits: Autonomy: Take control over your career and personal life. Choose which healthcare facilities and assignments best fit your aspirations. Community: Support major cities, rural communities, or underprivileged areas that are short-staffed and in need of your care. Make an impact while helping to build a healthier future. Travel: Travel 10 or 3,000 miles. Pick the location that best suits your life, while all the logistics are handled by your locum tenens partner. Flexibility: Never miss the next big event in your life. Choose when and where you work with a reliable locum tenens partner. Compensation: Locum tenens come with significant pay advantages. Your locum tenens partner is your advocate, negotiating rates on your behalf. Together, we help you make a difference in the lives of others while achieving optimal work-life balance and financial comfort.

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3 STARTING YOUR LOCUM TENENS JOURNEY WITH MEDICUS 1 Exclusive Jobs Medicus provides hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare organizations with customized resources, services, and strategies to help cover staff shortages, optimize service lines, and build-out departments. Clients turn to Medicus for supplemental and permanent staffing, comprehensive consulting services, program launch support, department restructurings, and help create efficiencies throughout the hospital or health system. Unlike other staffing firms, our full-service solutions and benefits lead to exclusive arrangements and long-term partnerships with hundreds of leading hospitals, physician groups, and health systems nationwide. We have built long-term relationships with physicians, advanced practitioners, and hospitals by focusing on quality, commitment, and accountability.

2 Dedicated Recruiter Your dedicated recruiter takes the time to understand your unique goals and challenges so we are best positioned to help you find — and secure — a locum tenens assignment that meets your aspirations. Before accepting an assignment, your dedicated recruiter handles contract negotiations and assists with credentialing and licensing needs. In addition, they will ensure you have all the necessary information before your first day of work. Once you’re on assignment, your recruiter becomes your advocate checking in to make sure you have the resources needed and are enjoying your new locum tenens assignment. Work the way you want with Medicus locum tenens. Together, we help you achieve your career goals. © Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

3 Licensing It is important to get licensed in the states where you want to work. The Medicus licensing team has existing partnerships with medical boards throughout the United States. We help facilitate and expedite the process, ensuring you have the necessary documentation, and we cover the cost! Learn more about licensure application fees and timelines by state here.

4 Medical Credentialing & References As part of the locum tenens process, you will undergo medical credentialing to ensure you meet the highest standards in patient care. Obtaining the appropriate credentials for your assignment can be complex - but we make it as easy as possible. When working with Medicus locum tenens, a designated team of specialists coordinates and expedites your credentialing paperwork and streamlines the process. The required documents include: ¥ Proof of training, including residency and fellowship ¥ Malpractice claims history ¥ All current medical licenses ¥ Curriculum vitae ¥ Fingerprints and background checks ¥ DEA certifications ¥ Board certifications ¥ Immunization records Lastly, make sure to gather professional references! These are colleagues and co-workers that can attest to your professionalism and skill set. Given the number of documents and references that need to be checked and verified, the credentialing process can be timeconsuming, with some physicians and advanced practitioners not securing work until months after submitting their applications. That’s why partnering with the right staffing agency is critical.

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5 Travel Medicus coordinates and books all your travel arrangements. We work to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while on assignment. We coordinate and pay for all rental car, housing, and flight arrangements. As part of our My Medicus Loyalty Program, we offer premium travel enhancements and other perks to make your travel experiences more enjoyable.

6 Malpractice Comprehensive medical malpractice coverage is provided through Medicus. We are an official National Association of Locum Tenens Organization (NALTO) member agency meaning our malpractice is covered with a quality professional liability policy.

7 Personalized Online Portal Gain access to MedicusIQ, a personalized portal/ app that allows you to effortlessly keep track of your assignment details from start to finish. This is a secure platform that prioritizes confidentiality and your privacy. With the MedicusIQ dashboard, you can access travel arrangements, schedule updates, saved job searches, and more. In addition, your online portal streamlines the entire payment process. Simply submit timesheets directly through the online portal and get paid. MedicusIQ is userfriendly, easy to navigate, and allows you to customize your preferences based on your specific requirements.

My recruiter is always looking out for me. I feel like he is on my side when it comes to negotiations, and he is always available when I need him. – Dr. R, Anesthesiologist

© Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

4 THE ANATOMY OF A LOCUM TENENS AGREEMENT When you accept a locum tenens assignment, you become an independent contractor providing services to hospitals and organizations. Medicus collaborates with you to find opportunities that best fit your personal and professional aspirations. In addition, we have in-house resources to guide you through legal and contractual obligations. Before working with Medicus or other locum tenens agencies, you’ll be asked to enter a locum tenens agreement. It is encouraged to have your lawyer also review the agreement before signing. The basic components of the locum tenens contract include:

file-contract Term, Non-Compete, and Payment Certain agencies use a blanket contract to cover all placements that a physician or advanced practitioner accepts over a given period (typically a year or two). Those details are often outlined in a separate acceptance letter that you will receive. Other agencies do not use a blanket contract and draw a unique agreement for each engagement. The industry standard is a non-compete clause that outlines any restrictions, such as working with another locum agency or permanent placement. When reviewing, make sure to become aware of the ramifications of both the term and non-compete stipulations. Locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners are typically paid by the hour or day. Pay rates are market driven; increased demand for specialties or geographic areas equates to higher compensation. Each agreement should specifically state the amount, method, and timing of your payments. These payments come directly from the locum agency, not the health facility. Agencies, like Medicus, earn their fees in exchange for matching you with specific opportunities, providing licensing and credentialing assistance, arranging travel and housing arrangements, and providing malpractice insurance.

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balance-scale Medical Malpractice Medical malpractice insurance is a critical component of practicing medicine. Many medical providers find navigating policies both overwhelming and expensive. When accepting locum tenens assignments through a National Association of Locum Tenens Organization (NALTO) member agency, malpractice will be covered with a quality professional liability policy. Medicus is an official NALTO member and upholds the locum tenens code of ethics. Be sure your agreement clearly notes that insurance is being provided for you at the agency’s expense.

usd-square Expenses The agreement or a separate policy document should detail which expenses will be covered by the locum tenens agency or the hospital/group and which costs will be your responsibility. When in doubt, ask for clarification!

ban Cancelations It is essential to understand your contractual obligations. Your agreement is a binding legal document that specifies your rights. Effective locum agreements should be fair and equitable to both parties. Medicus encourages you to contact your agency representative or consult an attorney to review the agreement if there are any concerns or questions. © Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

id-badge Licensing Obtaining state medical licenses can be expensive and time-consuming. Initial application fees vary from less than $100 to well over $1,000, and the time required to process medical licenses can be over a few months. Medicus can help you apply for licenses, and we will even reimburse you for licensing fees once you’ve completed a certain number of shifts. It is a good idea to think strategically about which licenses to acquire and when. For example, if you have dreams of practicing in Colorado to enjoy hiking and ski season, consider obtaining a license now so that when your perfect opportunity appears, you’re ready! The Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) can act as a primary source of verification for fixed credentials, such as exam scores, medical school, residency, and fellowship information. It is worth the investment, especially if you are an international graduate or a physician who anticipates applying for several licenses. Some states require the use of FCFCVs, so if you are applying in one, plan for additional lead time. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) and Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) were both created to expedite licensure in multiple states. With a single application, qualified candidates can become fully licensed in participating states, and Medicus will help guide you through the process. With your permission, we are also able to communicate with some licensing boards about the status of your pending application. For more information regarding licensing, visit the following resources: Physicians: Federation of State Medical Boards CRNAs: National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists Nurse Practitioners: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program Physician Assistants: The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants IMLC Map

hexagon Compact Legislation Introduced hexagon IMLC Member State serving as SPL processing applications and issuing licenses hexagon IMLC Member State non-SPL issuing licenses hexagon IMLC Passed; Implementation In Process or Delayed

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building Agency and Provider Expectations Your name or CV will only be presented to a potential health facility after outlining the opportunity and receiving your consent. Then your dedicated recruiter will disclose the area, schedule, patient volume, expected procedures, and level of staff support for each potential assignment. If you regularly practice locum tenens, you can register with more than one company. However, be sure to disclose prior engagements with surrounding locations and different companies so that you don’t unintentionally violate a non-compete clause. It is good to note that a recruiter should never ask you to cancel a commitment with another agency. A locum tenens career involves a series of temporary engagements, but many physicians and advanced practitioners build long-term relationships with one agency.

file-invoice-dollar Accounting & Financial Planning As a locum tenens provider, taxes will not be deducted as they would in a traditional paycheck. Instead, you are responsible for paying the associated tax on that income on a quarterly or annual basis. Some of your expenses will be deductible, which will partially offset your income and reduce your tax liability. Your earnings are reported on a 1099 instead of a traditional W2. Your accountant can help you set up the bookkeeping required to manage your business and provide appropriate tax planning advice. In addition, consider enlisting a financial planner to help with investment and retirement planning. Medicus offers customized tax planning, expense management, and banking services to our working locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners.

“My Medicus representatives are in constant communication with me and are always easily accessible. I feel appreciated because Medicus takes it one step further and offers resources for tax preparation, health benefits, and legal services! This is the first locum’s agency I have seen do this!” – Dr. S, Surgeon

© Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC | All Rights Reserved

medkit Health Coverage As an independent contractor, you are typically responsible for your own health plan and other insurances. Medicus is partnered with a 1099 association benefit platform to provide you with customized benefits and resources while working as a locum tenens physician or advanced practitioner. Medicus will pay your membership fees and grant you access to the platform. From there, you can enroll in health coverage and other support services.

In Conclusion Work with an agency that offers more than traditional locum tenens assignments. Medicus features positions ranging from consulting, interim leadership roles to entire program launches! These unique opportunities enable you to leverage your skills and experiences to positively impact other organizations. When working with Medicus, you gain access to all of the benefits included in our My Medicus Loyalty Program. The program welcomes you into a community of likeminded individuals, allowing you to network across the industry and learn more about locum tenens opportunities and best practices. My Medicus Loyalty Program also gives you access to vendors offering substantial health, tax, and financial benefits, vastly enhancing the value of your locum experience. Whether you are working locum tenens full time or in conjunction with your permanent job, you’re able to choose the where, the when, and the how of your own career.

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