If you’re considering military off-duty employment (ODE) to work as a locum tenens provider, we’re here to help.
ODE offers military providers a unique opportunity to increase their clinical hours and treat cases that their on-base hospitals may not normally see.
In this article—we’ll guide you through how we partner with military doctors and APPs to maximize their income and leverage ODE to boost their medical careers.
Why Military Providers Stand Out
Your experience as a military provider sets you apart in civilian facilities. The composure you’ve developed handling high-pressure situations, combined with your exposure to diverse cases, makes you highly adaptable. Your training has taught you a unique perspective about teamwork, flexibility, and resourcefulness. By taking advantage of off-duty employment opportunities, you can make an impact on patients who are outside of the military base.
ODE can be a great opportunity to boost your clinical numbers, and maintaining your procedure numbers can be critical to meeting different licensing and board requirements. Locum tenens also offers military providers the opportunity to practice in diverse clinical settings, many times in locations with different technology and equipment.
For military providers, locums can expand your horizons by exposing you to more unique cases and offer opportunities to gain experience at larger hospital settings and trauma centers.
Navigating ODE as a 1099 Independent Locums Provider
The Department of Defense (DoD) has specific policies for military medical providers pursuing ODE. The policies ensure working as a locum tenens provider doesn’t interfere with any existing responsibilities. When you work with a consultant at Hayes Locums, we will help you navigate the process of getting the necessary approvals.
Step 1: An ODE Request
This is required in all branches of the military. If a physician doesn’t have one, your locums agency may generate a request and lend a hand in completing it.
Step 2: Commanding Officer Approval
The ODE request is submitted to various military commanders for approval and signature. This step can take several weeks to months, so adequate time should be allowed to complete this process.
Step 3: Documentation and Compliance
After commanding officers approve, the approval document is sent to your locums agency, and in some instances to the hospital where you will be working.
It’s considered best practice to also send the facility you’ll be working with billing restrictions and emergent deployment obligations so that everyone agrees to terms. As a locums agency, we’ll help outline billing restrictions, deployment scenarios, and navigate the timesheet requirements.
Putting ODE into Action with Our Team
Whether you’re a military physician or an APP looking to expand your practice or meet your clinical requirements, we are here to help you find the right fit and make the process as simple as possible.
Start the process early and maintain clear communication. While the paperwork may seem daunting at first, remember that the end result benefits you, the facility, the communities, and the patients you’ll serve.
Our team of specialty-specific consultants is here to guide you through the nuances of military off-duty placements and through each step of the locums placement process.
