quarterly career check-up//October 2007

Working Government Locum Tenens Contracts

Government locum tenens contracts with VA hospitals, Indian Health Service hospitals, military bases, and correctional facilities are a great way to gain exciting new experiences. Linde Healthcare has many exciting government contracts available and many more on the way. While they are similar to commercial opportunities in many respects, there are some key differences.

1. Licensure. One of the benefits of accepting a government contract is that almost all federal government institutions will accept a license from any U.S. state or territory.
2. Outpatient-only. Many of these opportunities are outpatient-only at educational institutions, offering you the chance to interact with interns, fellows, and residents.
3. Administration. There tends to be less administrative work involved in working these contracts because you will not have to deal with private insurance companies.
4. Privileging and Background Checks. Privileging processes at government institutions are generally more lengthy and strict than at commercial facilities. The process can take substantially longer, background checks are more thorough, and requirements relating to malpractice history and employment gaps are investigated in more detail. The good news is that once you are privileged in VetPro, the VA credentialing system, that information is transferable to any other federal facility. In fact, after your first assignment, this will give you an edge in future assignments because it means less paperwork for the employer.
5. Personal Service Contracts. Some government opportunities are considered a personal service, which means the government would cover your liability insurance.

Linde Healthcare is actively working with government facilities throughout the U.S. To explore our government locum tenens opportunities and get more information about government contracts, contact us today at 1-866-480-3874.