Tired of working insane hours and missing out on things you love or time with family? This podcast is for physicians that are ready to take control of their skill set and create more balance using locum tenens work. This is not a sales pitch for locums but raw and real conversations with surgeons I've worked with plus inside industry perspectives. I've created over $36 million in income for the 230+ physicians I've worked with and look to share my best strategies. Grab my free Ultimate Locums Playbook: https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums Email me at: simon.parsons@comhealth.com
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January 16, 202521 min
Global Locums: A Career of Impact and Adventure with Dr. Victoria Mohr
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Victoria Mohr, an OB/GYN hospitalist with over 18 years of experience as a career locum tenens physician.
Dr. Mohr takes us on a journey through her global locum tenens career, sharing how it differs from traditional medical missions and how she’s crafted a life full of meaningful work and personal fulfillment.
Passionate about global medicine, academic mentorship, and thriving in high-risk, high-volume settings, Dr. Mohr reveals how locum tenens has allowed her to make an impact around the world.
From mentoring students who’ve gone on to lead in medicine to choosing assignments that align with her passions, she offers practical advice on starting your own locums journey and trusting the process to find assignments that truly fulfill you.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your skills with the freedom to shape your career, this episode is a must-listen!
You find out more about Dr. Mohr's work on her Facebook Page Victoria Mohr Foundation for Health & Humanity:
https://www.facebook.com/VMFHH/
You can follow Dr. Mohr on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmohrmd
September 20, 202426 min
How to Set Up Your Locums Practice with Locum Tenens CPA Stephen Lee
Want to know if you should set up an LLC or S-corp for your locum tenens business?
Today on the show I have a very special guest, tax expert and locums CPA Stephen Lee where we cover several important topics that new and experienced physicians can benefit from.
We'll cover:
2 easy steps to take when you first start doing locums and why.
The difference between LLC's, PLLC's and S-Corps.
Why you shouldn't do a sole proprietorship as a locums.
You can grab Stephen's E-Book 'A CPA's Guide To Locum Tenens: Tax Tips for New and Experienced Physicians here: stan.store/thelocumcpa
Check out more of his content on his YouTube Channel:
https://m.youtube.com/@locumcpa
July 23, 202441 min
How To Create Demand And Negotiate Rate Increases In Your Locum Tenens Work
Today I have a special guest named Mark Robbins who is the Senior Director of People and Culture at Comphealth. Today we talk about the power of what we call 'incumbency' as well as setting yourself up for success by becoming a master of networking and social skills.
We'll also go into some rate strategy as well as preparing you to have the 'home court' advantage in your locums assignments that will pave the way for you to create demand in your personal brand.
New feature on Spotify: Leave me a comment or ask a question for me or my guests.
Please drop me some stars on Spotify or Apple, it just takes a second to do.
Please share with someone who can use this message.
Grab my Ultimate Locum Tenens Playbook here:
https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums
If you would like to set up a strategy call with me (general, trauma or vascular surgery) or would like me to connect you with a reputable locums recruiter in a different specialty, please email me at: simon.parsons@comphealth.com
July 16, 202418 min
Dr. Bruce Lynch Gives His Best Tips After 10 Years Of Locum Tenens Work
Today I have a chat with the very first physician I ever worked with!
Col Bruce Lynch who I have worked with since January of 2014 shares his best practices and reflections of doing locum tenens work.
He reflects on why he does locums and some of the benefits he has experienced as well as shares what he would tell someone who is considering doing locums work but hasn't started yet.
New feature on Spotify: you can leave a comment for me or my guests or ask questions!
Please drop some stars on Spotify or Apple; and share with someone who can use this message!
Grab my Ultimate Locum Tenens Playbook here: https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums
If you want to book a strategy call with me (general, trauma or vascular surgery) or have me connect you with a reputable recruiter in another specialty, reach out to me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
July 8, 202431 min
How To Conquer Physician Burnout (And Get Back To Loving Life)!
As a locum tenens recruiter, the number one reason why there has been such a boom in interest of locum tenens work is that people are getting tired of working 60-80 hours for weeks, months and years on end.
Burnout is defined as: A syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job and reduced professional efficacy.
Physician burnout dramatically increased after COVID, reaching above 50% overall for physicians as a whole and much higher in certain higher stress specialties.
Symptoms of Physician Burnout
Emotional exhaustion, mental and physical fatigue
Cynicism (loss of altruism)
Lack of engagement, feeling a lack of contribution or purpose
Depression/Addictions/Suicidal Thoughts
Burnout leads to:
Poor quality of work and increased medical errors
Patient safety issues
Poor patient satisfaction
Lack of provider engagement
Poor retention rate and early retirement, or leaving the profession to do something else.
Strategies I discussed on this episode:
Start crafting out a plan of action of what you can do to change your current situation for the better (start by brain storming).
Meditation or doing something meditative like walking in nature, painting or art, gardening (allows your brain to process information more efficiently), mindfulness allows you to recognize you are not your thoughts, but you have thoughts.
Group support, being more vocal with leaders and colleagues instead of keeping it bottled up.
Let go of expectations that you think other people have of you, set boundaries, say 'no' more often.
Carve out time for what you love and who you love.
Sleep, nutrition, exercise, sunlight
Let go of 'no value' activities and things that don't make you feel good (news, financial and political news, social media, trim your emails and subscriptions), outsource for help with tasks that are not in your zone of genius, for me I have a Virtual Admin, an associate, hire people to do my landscaping and cleaning.
Declare your day done when you are done, create an 'off switch' or ritual to declare you are done with work and create a system or plan for eliminating work communication when you aren't supposed to be at work.
Rocks, Pebbles, Sand - Define what is most important to least important in life and prioritize those things. For me my rocks are my family, my health, my sleep and doing what I love. My pebbles (still are important) are my work and business ventures. Least important are things like TV, entertainment, water cooler talk, social media. When I sort my rocks first, I still have time for my pebbles and sand.
Call to action:
Please rate this podcast by dropping some stars on Spotify or Apple, just take a sec.
Share this episode with someone who can use this message.
If you would like to set up a 30 minute strategy call (for general, vascular or trauma surgeons) or if you would like me to refer you to a reputable recruiter you can email me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
Grab the Ultimate Locum Tenens Playbook here: https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums
May 28, 202430 min
From Overwhelmed To A Balanced Life By Using Locum Tenens | Dr. Marilyn Stahl
In this engaging episode of The Locum Strategist Podcast, OBGYN Dr. Marilyn Stahl shares her fascinating journey from being overworked and overwhelmed in a private practice to having the courage to claim back her freedom by pursuing a locum tenens path. Dr. Stahl’s candid recounting of the chaos in her life, from overwork to personal challenges, offers a relatable backdrop for anyone considering a change.
Dr. Stahl provides invaluable insights for those exploring locum tenens work. She emphasizes the importance of thorough research, understanding the benefits of contracting, and building a strong relationship with your consultant. She discusses the autonomy to create your own schedule, the thrill of traveling to new places, and the joy of rediscovering your passion for medicine without the constraints of long-term contracts and hospital politics. Her advice on balancing professional goals with personal fulfillment is sure to resonate with many.
Dr. Stahl shares the highs and lows of locum tenens work, from achieving work-life balance and ticking off bucket list items to the heartbreak of canceled assignments. Hear her heartwarming story of making a significant impact on a distressed team of nurses and her practical tips for integrating into new hospitals.
This episode is packed with Dr. Stahl’s personal stories and expert advice, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about the locums lifestyle.
Your call to action:
Please share this episode with anyone you think may find value in this.
Please drop some stars (leave a rating) on Spotify or Apple.
If you would like me to put you in touch with a reputable recruiter, leave feedback or requests, you can reach me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
Connect with Dr. Marilyn Stahl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-kindig-stahl-832851203
Grab my Ultimate Locum Tenens Playbook here: https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums
May 10, 202414 min
How To Optimize Your CV For Locum Tenens Work
Today I'm going to show you step by step on how to optimize your CV specifically for locum tenens work. You can use these notes as a resource and list these sections in this order:
1. Contact Information
Start with your name, address, and contact information at the top of your CV. Ensure your phone number and email address are current and professional.
2. Education
List your educational background in reverse chronological order:
• Fellowships: Specify the institution, your specialty, and the dates (mm/yyyy) you attended.
• Residency: Include the institution, your area of specialization, and dates.
• Medical School: Name the institution and the dates of attendance.
• Undergraduate: List your degree, the institution, and your graduation date.
3. Work History
Your work history should also be in reverse chronological order. For each position, include
• The name of the hospital or clinic,
• Your role or title,
• The dates you worked there (mm/yyyy format),
• A brief description of your duties and special achievements, especially those relevant to locum work.
4. Board Certifications
Clearly list any board certifications you hold, along with the certifying body and the date of certification.
5. Certifications
Include any relevant certifications such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Fundamental Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). These are crucial for surgeons and highly valued in locum tenens roles.
6. State Licenses
Make sure to include all state licenses that you currently have active, if you have an IMLC letter of qualification it would be good to include this as well. DEA's and Controlled Substance Permits are optional but in my opinion just add clutter and aren't needed.
7. Societies and Professional Memberships
Detail any professional societies or memberships you are a part of, as these connections can enhance your credibility and network.
Optional Items
While not essential, you can include awards, recognitions, and publications if they are relevant and recent. Keep this section brief to maintain focus on your primary qualifications.
Proofreading Your CV
Before submitting your CV, ensure it is free from spelling and grammar errors. Here are a few tips: Use a reliable spell checker, but don’t rely solely on it. Read your CV thoroughly to catch errors that automated tools might miss. Have a colleague or mentor review your CV. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and offer valuable feedback. Read your CV out loud. This can help you catch awkward phrasing or errors that you might overlook when reading silently.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
• Consistent Formatting: Use a clean, professional format with consistent fonts and clear headings. This makes your CV easier to read quickly.
• PDF Format: Save and send your CV as a PDF to maintain the formatting across different computers and operating systems.
Use Chat GPT for feedback, questions, spell check or revisions. You an copy and paste your CV (or upload it) and tell it exactly what to do by using prompts. Here are some examples of what a prompt is:
"Generate a professional summary for a surgeon with 10 years of experience in trauma surgery."
"List action verbs for describing surgical duties in a CV."
"Help me format the education section of a medical CV with reverse chronological order."
"Suggest concise descriptions for surgical procedures commonly performed in locum tenens assignments."
"Review this bullet point for clarity and impact: [insert bullet point]."
"What are some effective ways to highlight locum tenens work specifically in a surgical CV?"
"Create a list of professional societies related to general, trauma, and vascular surgery."
"Draft a brief section on ATLS certification for a surgical CV."
Please drop me some stars on Apple or Spotify!
Contact me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
April 11, 202418 min
Best Practices On Nailing Your Locum Tenens Job Interview
On this episode I'll share some best practices on how to nail your phone or virtual interview for your locum tenens position.
These days, about 60% of the locums assignments that we book require 1 or sometimes multiple interviews before they get the green light.
I'll share some of my best tips to set you up for success and many of these tips can be used for perm interviews or can give you some ideas on improving communication skills as well as how to play to your strengths and some good questions to ask.
Please share this episode with someone who can use this message and don't forget to rate this podcast if listening to on Apple or Spotify, it takes just a second to drop some stars!
If you are a general, trauma or vascular surgeon, you can book a 30 minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/simon-parsons/physician-strategy-call
If you would like to leave feedback, suggest a topic, ask a question or have me put you in touch with a reputable recruiter please email me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
Thank you for your support!
April 3, 202433 min
Passion & Adventure: Dr. Genevieve Jacobs Shares Her 3 Year Locum Tenens Journey
What is it like to do Locum Tenens as a career? I had the incredible opportunity to interview PM&R physician Dr. Genevieve Jacobs as she dives deep into her 3 year career out of residency as a career locum tenens physician.
In this value packed episode, Dr. Jacobs details what its like to travel all around the country, including up to Alaska.
She shares her best practices when it comes to integrating into a new hospital setting, how to find a reputable locums agency and recruiter, what questions to ask before you book a locums assignment and most importantly: the number one piece of advise she would give to anyone who is thinking about doing locum tenens work.
Dr. Jacobs now documents her locum tenens journey and uses social media to help educate other physicians on the things that she wish she knew when she first started.
Connect with Dr. Jacobs
Website & blog: https://www.drjacobshealth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocumlady/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievejacobsdo/
March 22, 202423 min
Set Yourself Up For Locums Tenens Success By Proactively Cultivating Your Network Of Advocates
Imagine getting booked for your dream locums gig. Everything looks great, you've done all the paperwork, your plane tickets and hotel is booked and you are getting ready to leave for an assignment and you get a call from your recruiter telling you that they couldn't get you through credentialing!
It happens, especially when working with inexperienced recruiters that look the other way and ignore red flags or don't properly qualify their candidates. While some things are out of your control, one thing that is in your control is making sure you have a solid list of references that you can count on.
In this episode I'll be breaking down how you can set yourself up for success by asking your recruiter exactly what you need to pass credentialing and not leave it to chance. I'll also share with you some nightmare scenarios that can happen when you don't get intentional about cultivating your list of locum tenens advocates (aka references).
I will also tell you exactly what I would do if I was a physician looking for locum tenens work.
Your calls to action:
Please drop a rating (stars) on this podcast if you are on Apple or Spotify, it just takes a minute!
If you are a trauma, vascular or general surgeon you can schedule a 30 minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/simon-parsons/physician-strategy-call?month=2024-03
If you'd like me to refer you to a reputable recruiter in a different specialty, or leave feedback or topic suggestions you can email me at: simon.parsons@comphealth.com
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