Transitional staffing is a term that has become more widely used in the physician contract industry. Locum Tenens, although still used amongst many companies is a practice that is becoming less preferred. Why? Transitional staffing provides more of a stable platform for facilities and groups. Locum Tenens is not a structured environment where you work the same hours every week. It focuses more on filling gaps in coverage here and there and most of the time with shorter notice to the physician. There is something to be said for having a core group of physicians consistently come in on a regular basis to assist with a particular facility. It also creates a sense of community with the staff, not the feeling of having a revolving door of physicians come in and out.
In addition, transitional staffing offers consistency of work to the physician and also allows them to schedule with a feel of being a full time employee even though they are independent contractors. It also allows the facility the same experience. Transitional staffing offers a more affordable solution, instead of paying high, non-industry standard rates for filling a shift last minute that could have been filled a month before- yet still not undervaluing the physician.