By Melissa Wirkus Hagstrom, contributor Dec 28, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the healthcare industry
like a tidal wave, and it continues to impact virtually all aspects of
operations—from clinician staffing to billing, administration and beyond.
The virus is also directly influencing which physician specialties are most in
demand, according to a new report released by Merritt Hawkins, a physician placement firm and company
of AMN Healthcare that partners with Staff Care.
According to the report, “Demand for physicians
on the front lines of virus care, including emergency medicine physicians,
pulmonologists/critical care physicians, and infectious disease specialists is
projected to increase as a result of COVID-19.”
Pulmonologists can use their skills and experience to help patients at
hospitals throughout the country by taking a locum tenens assignment.
The current
environment for locums in pulmonary critical care
The number of pulmonary critical care
physicians working locums is growing, and these specialists are a key part of
battling the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs and chest,
with severe cases often resulting in ventilator support and a combination of
new therapeutics, requiring these physicians’ expertise. Research has also
shown that there are improved patient outcomes and cost savings when a unit is
staffed by an intensive care physician such as a pulmonologist.
In addition to COVID-19 driving demand, the
need for pulmonary care physicians has been increasing due to aging populations
with comorbidities and rising rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
(COPD), which impacts millions of Americans.
The National Institutes of Health projects that
the United States will experience a deficit of 1,400 pulmonologists in less
than four years, in part because 70 percent of those currently in the workforce
are over age 55 and will be approaching retirement over the next decade.
These forecasts translate into increased
opportunity for pulmonologists seeking assignments, especially since
compensation is usually higher for locum tenens positions.
Selecting a
medical temp agency
The increased demand for pulmonary locum tenens
means that physicians have a number of choices when it comes to selecting an
assignment that meets their needs -- including location, compensation,
scheduling and more.
The first step in embarking on a locum tenens assignment
is to find a reputable agency that you can trust. You’ll want to select a
medical temp agency with experienced recruiters, strong industry recognition
and a variety of assignments. You’ll also want to ensure that the company offers
an extensive benefits package.
Locum tenens assignments can pay handsomely, especially
in today’s environment, but providers can also expect to receive a variety of
additional perks such as paid housing, travel reimbursement,
malpractice/liability insurance, free continuing medical education and more.
Staff Care currently has several jobs for
pulmonary critical care physicians that are paying over $200 per hour, plus a
comprehensive benefits package.
Want to know
more? STAFF CARE is placing
locum physicians and advanced practitioners throughout the country, including traditional
and crisis response assignments.
Contact a Recruiter Now