Unlocking Flexible Careers: Jeanie Smith's Guide to Locum Tenens for Behavioral Health Clinicians

This podcast episode features Jeanie Smith, Associate Vice President for Behavioral Health at locumtenens.com, discussing the intricacies and benefits of locum tenens work for healthcare professionals, particularly within the behavioral health sector. "Locum tenens," a Latin phrase meaning "in the place of," describes the practice of filling temporary staffing gaps in healthcare facilities. Locumtenens.com, founded in 1995, initially focused on psychiatry services and has since expanded to cover a full spectrum of behavioral health roles, including advanced practice providers, psychologists, social workers, LPCs, and LMFTs. The company operates by connecting clinicians with opportunities, proactively seeking placements based on clinician preferences, and establishing relationships with a wide range of healthcare entities like state hospitals, correctional facilities, the VA, DOD, community mental health centers, and trauma centers.

A key distinction highlighted is the company's proactive approach to job placement, not merely reacting to facility needs but actively seeking opportunities for clinicians based on their desired locations, schedules, and practice settings. This flexibility caters to professionals at all career stages, from new graduates exploring different environments to retired individuals seeking part-time engagement, or those simply looking to supplement their income. The expansion into various therapy roles reflects a broader industry shift towards a holistic continuum of care, moving beyond sole reliance on medication (often termed "chemical restraints") to incorporate psychotherapeutic interventions, a change supported by Medicare's reimbursement for psychotherapy.

From a practical standpoint, locum tenens offers significant benefits, including unparalleled autonomy, improved work-life balance, and opportunities for travel and career exploration without long-term commitments. It serves as a powerful antidote to clinician burnout, allowing professionals to dictate their workload and focus primarily on patient care, free from the administrative burdens and bureaucracy often associated with permanent positions. Locumtenens.com provides comprehensive support, assisting with complex processes like multi-state licensure, credentialing, privileging, travel and lodging arrangements, and even provider enrollment with various insurance companies, thereby streamlining the job-seeking and placement experience for clinicians.

In a broader context, locum tenens addresses critical nationwide healthcare workforce shortages, a challenge exacerbated by the recent pandemic. It empowers clinicians with choice and flexibility, aligning with the values of younger generations who prioritize work-life integration. The service has evolved from a simple "plug-and-play" staffing model to a comprehensive workforce solution, fostering deep relationships between recruiters and clinicians. This approach ensures that healthcare facilities receive the necessary support, while clinicians find fulfilling roles that match their skills and lifestyle preferences, ultimately serving communities in need and contributing to a more resilient and adaptable healthcare system.

"Locums means it's a Latin phrase which means in the place of."

"We are filling gaps... with regards to healthcare staffing no matter what the healthcare entity is what no matter what the need is we are there to help."

"We started with Psychiatry Services which is important to talk about just because is for 30 almost 30 years we've had a background in Behavioral Health."

"We really seek to understand what your preferences are what your skill set and expertise is... what motivates you in your career what are you looking for."

"One of the biggest is the autonomy that you have in doing contract work... the younger generation they see the benefit of having work life balance and they see logo as an attractor."

"Loom offers an opportunity for you again to dictate how much or how little you want to work so you don't have to go through that burnout."

"You get to practice medicine or you get to practice health care right and focus on that the care of patients... this provides that opportunity for you to go in and provide patient care."

"Our company helps with licensure... we will get you license."

"We have a department that takes care of that for you oh my gosh I'm going through Medicare credentialing right now and I'm about to pull my hair out it's just there are some there are some that aren't too bad."

"It's basically like having a personal agent... someone that's going to advocate for you."

"Locums has evolved just from a plug-and-play where it's let me staff you here and let me know if you're interested and we'll staff you somewhere else to a full comprehensive Workforce solution."

"I was just elated that there was actually an agency that was doing that [placing LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs]."