At Hayes Locums, we view our consultants as more than just recruiters.

Instead, the consultants at our locum tenens agency are fully-functioning support systems for the physicians they serve: helping them find assignments where they can thrive, celebrate their success and provide moral support during tough times.  They take the reins on assisting with administrative logistics so that physicians can focus on what matters most: taking care of patients.

Each of the consultants at our locum agency goes through intensive, specialty-specific training—in fact, our team has been recognized as one of the top training departments in the country, in part due to the innovative twelve-week training program that was introduced in 2022. That means they are fully equipped to support you through every stage of the locums process: from your very first phone call, all the way through your first (or fortieth) assignment.

Here’s how your consultant works to support you throughout the locums process:

Connecting to find out what you want out of locums

The first step in the locums process is to connect with a consultant who is trained in your specific specialty. The purpose of this introductory call is so they can get to know you and answer any questions you might have about the locums process.

During this call, your consultant will ask questions to learn more about your interests, experience, and priorities, so they can start to get a sense of what kinds of positions you would be both interested in and suited for. Some of these questions might include:

  • What you like and dislike about your current practice;
  • Your availability, e.g. whether your schedule is open to many kinds and lengths of assignments, or whether your schedule is more limited;
  • Your preferred locations, and whether you’re open to locums assignments outside those locations;
  • Your clinical experience, including what kinds of hospitals and clinics you’ve worked in, whether you have any clinical restrictions that might prevent you from taking on certain assignments, and any history of malpractice, board actions, or licensing actions;
  • Your commitments, especially any that might impact your availability or preferences of what types of assignments you’re interested in.

The better a consultant knows you, the more equipped they will be to not only find you the right match, but to support you throughout the process.

“One thing I would advise anybody who wants to pursue locums is: the relationship makes all the difference.”

Dr. Oneica Poole

Working to find the right match for you

Once you are ready to start looking, your consultant will begin the process of finding potential matches, using both what they’ve learned in their conversations with you, and their own knowledge of the industry, to find you the right match. 

Because all of our consultants are trained within their specialty to understand the clinical details and procedures that are necessary for that specialty, they are well equipped to find positions that are a good clinical fit for you. Their focus on a specific specialty also gives them an insider perspective on what’s happening in your corner of the industry. The relationships they’ve built within that specialty means they are well-positioned to find out about potential positions that may be opening up, and determine whether you’d be a good fit for them.

Through every step of the process, your consultant’s goal isn’t just to find you a job; it’s to find the right match for you, given what they know of you and your unique situation. 

“I know if I call, [my Hayes Locums consultant] will answer. She’s reliable. I always know she’s there for me, and I can talk to her about anything.”

Dr. Yara Nazzal

Navigating the logistical and administrative details 

Once you and your consultant have found the right locums match for you, you’ll need to make sure you have all the proper credentials, privileges, and licenses in place. All of these processes involve a lot of time and paperwork, which can feel intimidating. But that’s what your consultant is there for: to guide you through all of these processes in as seamless and stress-free a way as possible.

Here’s just some of the logistical support they provide:

  • Coordinating communication between you and the various teams involved in those processes, so you don’t have to keep up with endless email threads; 
  • Giving you clear checklists of what needs to be filled out and when, so you don’t have to be responsible for keeping track of what is due when; 
  • Working with the travel team to coordinate your transportation and lodging, being sure to communicate any special needs or preferences you might have; 
  • And most importantly, keeping you regularly updated on where each process stands, so you can put your mind at ease, knowing that you won’t be left in the dark.

As you prepare to leave for your assignment, your consultant will also keep tabs on any changes, like flight delays or last-minute requests for additional immunizations, so they can notify you immediately and help find a solution. Just before your assignment begins, they will gather all of the information you need––e.g. orientation packets, payroll paperwork, your final travel itinerary, and their contact information––to feel fully prepared for your first day on the job. 

While the logistical details involved in locums can feel daunting, your consultant is there to help you navigate them so you can focus on what matters most: caring for your patients.

“My whole mantra is, if you went through all that training to be a doctor and to take care of patients, that’s what your main focus should be on. The back-and-forth paperwork: I can help with that.”

Sara Boucher | Hayes Locums Consultant

Receiving support while you’re on assignment

One of the greatest benefits of having your own dedicated consultant is the support they provide during the assignment itself. They check in with you throughout your assignment to make sure things are going well, and are available if you run into any unexpected trouble, or just need someone to talk to.

The support you get from your consultant doesn’t end with your assignment––they are also there to help make sure you are set up for success for your next assignment, too. Once an assignment concludes, your consultant will reach out to you to hear about your experience, debrief on what went well, and what could have gone better, and share any feedback they received from the facility.

You’re not alone while you’re on assignment. Your consultant is there to support you during and after the assignment, serving as a resource and as your partner.

“When you’re able to pick up the phone and reach somebody, and you know that they’ll be there for you––that they’ll be helpful, and treat you with respect and compassion––it makes a huge difference.”

Dr. Oneica Poole

At Hayes Locums, we are deeply proud of the quality relationships that have developed between consultants and the providers they serve. We hope this guide gives you a sense of the possibilities for how that relationship can support you in your locums career.

Introducing the Hayes Handbook: Your Locum Tenens Guide

See how our team supports you through every stage of the locum tenens process. Start reading.