21 Jun The Dos and Don’ts of Negotiating a Locum Tenens Contract
As a locum tenens provider, one of the most important parts of any job search comes when an offer is made and it’s time to negotiate the locum tenens contract.
Once you receive an offer, you may be tempted to accept it, sign it, and go out and celebrate. But the fact is, good negotiating and some careful research can make a big difference in the long run! Here are some important dos and don’ts to consider before you sign a contract.
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Know What You Want Going In
Understanding what’s important to you before you begin the negotiation phase will help ensure you come away with a good contract. Before you sit down with a potential employer, make sure to determine the things that are important to you and how this assignment fits into your goals.
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Understand the Contract
A locum tenens contract is a crucial document that outlines the scope of work, benefits, liability, and other essential conditions of your employment. It’s important to review each component carefully before signing so you understand the terms and conditions and are happy with the result. Working with an experienced medical staffing professional can help ensure the contract you ultimately sign is in your best interests.
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Ask the Right Questions
Take the time to learn as much as you can about the employer and position by asking lots of questions. Here are some examples:
- How is compensation structured?
- Is there a base salary with incentive or bonus?
- What is the expected patient load?
- What are the schedule expectations?
- What benefits are offered?
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Negotiate Salary Before You Receive the Offer
When it comes to contract discussions, you want to be on a level playing field with the employer. Locums pay is influenced by factors such as experience, location, skill level, demand, and patient load. And while an assignment is about more than salary, you want to get the most financial bang for the buck.
The bottom line is to not make hasty assumptions or agree to the initial terms before you have a firm offer. It’s best to wait and see what’s in the offer before negotiating – and then consider if it works for you. The more info you have, the better chance you’ll get the terms you want.
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Forget to Negotiate Overtime
Working overtime often goes with the territory so when negotiating the contract, be sure you’re clear on how overtime will be paid – and it’s in writing. The key is to get as high a rate as possible – most employers will offer time and half of your base rate (minus any tax-free amounts) for overtime. Know that going in and you can possibly negotiate a higher overtime rate.
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Be Unprepared
Along with doing your research, it’s important to hone your negotiating skills by practicing. You can do so with a friend or a neutral party. You want to appear professional, so make sure they understand you want honest feedback. When going into a negotiation the last thing you want to do is wing it, so prepare yourself for success!
Contact Annashae Today
At Annashae we’re dedicated to the placement of highly-skilled clinical practitioners in short and long-term positions. As a nationwide medical staffing and consulting firm, we provide a range of services that enable our candidates to quickly find the career opportunity that fits their needs. For information on how you can further your clinical career, contact us today.