Getting the chance to travel abroad is a primary reason why medical professionals choose to take on a locum tenens. Balancing the love for traveling with a wonderful career is ideal for many people who enjoy change. The enjoyment of new cultures and lifestyles is important for those who want to take on a locum tenens position.

A locum tenens also read in Latin as “place holder,” is when a physician fills in a vacancy for a fellow colleague for a certain amount of time. These vacancies can be caused by illnesses and short staffing and often require professionals with high expertise. A locum tenens position can be international or local. There are a few steps that you have to go through to obtain a position like this one and here are some tips on how to get started.

1. Choose the right locum tenens company.

It’s always good to research the places and companies you want to work for. There are countless amounts of opportunities when searching for locum tenens positions abroad. Physicians have the knowledge and skill to be able to do a wide variety of tasks and be beneficial to any culture. You must find a company that fits you. Beware of the larger companies that have more than enough physicians as they will pay less attention to you. This can lead to issues and miscommunications between you and the company.

Contact locum tenens agencies or medical job search sites to see what the best options out there are. Every agency has its own culture and trying to decide which one shouldn’t depend only on the best wages, but on how decent the company is. Some are more attentive than others and you want to make sure to get in contact with the ones that do to prevent any travel stress or complications down the line.

2. Complete licensing and credential paperwork.

Before having to learn a new culture and language, you must go through the continuous process of credentials and licensing. These processes are different with every location and can be a pain when having to keep completing them as you move to a new place. Because of the amounts of malpractice cases and demand for information safety has created an unpleasant process for getting licenses and medial credentials as physicians abroad. Hospitals are changing and improving and it’s important that all paperwork is up to date and credible.

This process can get complicating and stressful and it’s important to pay attention to detail so you down have issues in the future. Make sure you obtain all the needed paperwork and keep them together to make the process smoother. There will be things that you will need for every location you choose to work in. Keep a list of documents that you may need, for example, you will need:

• Current curriculum vitae
• Passport photo or license photo
• Current state license card
• Medical school diploma
• Internship and residency certificates
• Three references

3. Beware of short term placements.

Short term placements are good if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you want something more extended, beware of the hospitals that just need a couple of weeks filled. When you are searching for positions abroad, consider how long you want to stay in that location. There is a large amount of paperwork that has to be done and you don’t want to have to go through the entire process just to work for a few weeks.

Make sure to remember the time it takes to begin working at a new location. The more locations you have under your belt will require more paperwork and that can get painful. Just try to think ahead to decide on the best placement for you.

4. Stick with one travel service.

Sticking with the same travel services is important in creating safe and smooth travels. Try to stick with one airline, hotel chain, car rental, and etc to make sure you reduce any possible complications. You will also be able to reap the benefits of having multiple rewards that you can use when you’re not working. On your future vacations, you will have the opportunity to maximize your trip by building a steady relationship with the same travel services.

5. Negotiate salaries.

Don’t choose a position just because it is offering you the highest pay. Sometimes that high pay is to compensate for something else. Learn what that something else is, whether it be commute distance or problems with your placement going forward. Make sure to negotiate salaries and don’t be quick to accept or decline. Give you and the company wiggle room to come to a mutual decision about pay.

You can use certain criteria to point out your strong points or their weak ones. Budget agencies and platinum agencies are a thing. Those with a larger budget can offer you higher pay compared to the ones who have lower ones. Notate how good of an employee you are and have another professional vouch for you. If the hospital is desperate, use that to your advantage, too.

Longer assignments and groups can lead to higher salaries as well. If you come to an agreement with another locum tenens and choose to do your travel work with them, you will get a higher salary due to the amount of time and work they are getting.