Locums rate/negotiations

[BobbyHeenan]

I did some rad onc locums in residency a few years back and am thinking of maybe doing a week and taking the family somewhere different/fun as kind of a working vacation.

I can't help and think these advertised locum rates/pay are really lower than I thought they would be. I imagine these locums companies are taking a pretty hefty cut.

Anyone have any success in negotiating the rates up? I worked at three different places for ~$1,000/day working as a chief resident as a locum basically just babysitting linacs (minimal if any consults, no follow ups, and minimal treatment planning) so if I'm covering a busy clinic as a board certified rad onc seeing new consults and doing treatment planning, I'd anticipate that rates should be more than this - but they're often not (at least according to the locums companies).

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[medgator]

I've heard the standard rate is around $1500 + flight/room/transport (meals, incidentals etc. not included). $1K for a BC rad onc sounds low IMO. Guess it depends on the supply/demand of a particular locale.

I think there may also be an ASTRO "surcharge" depending on the situation.

 

[Gfunk6]

As a resident, $800 - $1k for a whole day is standard. As a BC RO, if you go through a locums company, you usually get $1200/day + expenses. If you negotiate it yourself you may be able to get higher depending on supply/demand as medgator noted above.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I think it depends on how desireable the location is. If you're wanting to take a working vacation, I assume you're looking for a desireable area..and so will others..so my experience has been you're only gonna get the 1k per day for those assignments, unless it's last-minute or during ASTRO or some other extenuating circumstance. If it's Omaha, NE - yes, you can negotiate much higher, I've seen as high as $1700/day.

I personally wouldn't recommend skirting the locums company to arrange it yourself..way too much of a hassle with privileges, malpractice, etc etc

 

[BobbyHeenan]

Thanks for the input.

I definitely wasn't thinking about skirting the locums company. I just figured that if their first "offer" is for $1,100/day, then assuming a non-beach location then I may have some wiggle room to propose $1,400/day and we could see where that goes.

 

[Mandelin Rain]

Any one have recent experience with locums rates (last couple months)? Specifically in undesirable locales? Has the influx of graduating residents impacted it?

 

[Neuronix]

I've usually received $1000/day for babysitting in my area. I much prefer those gigs, and have turned down more strenuous gigs that can pay up to $1500.

It's not that I'm lazy--moonlighting within driving distance can be a good time to work on studying, research, and/or personal things like house hunting while getting paid

I agree with the op--$1000/day involving travel and actually working doesn't sound like a great rate.

Seems to me that the glut of new grads hasn't yet affected these rates. Moonlighters are often older and semi-retired. I have heard of some groups pushing under $1000/day, but I haven't personally experienced that yet for BE/BC rad onc.

 

[mpdoc2]

I did some rad onc locums in residency a few years back and am thinking of maybe doing a week and taking the family somewhere different/fun as kind of a working vacation.

I can't help and think these advertised locum rates/pay are really lower than I thought they would be. I imagine these locums companies are taking a pretty hefty cut.

Anyone have any success in negotiating the rates up? I worked at three different places for ~$1,000/day working as a chief resident as a locum basically just babysitting linacs (minimal if any consults, no follow ups, and minimal treatment planning) so if I'm covering a busy clinic as a board certified rad onc seeing new consults and doing treatment planning, I'd anticipate that rates should be more than this - but they're often not (at least according to the locums companies).

Just enjoy your time with your family. Those moments are precious.

 

[medgator]

Would agree with the above regarding the rates.... we have "babysitter" @ $1k/day, no consults, special procedures, fu or sims, just physician presence, seeing otvs, checking films/image guidance.

As mpdoc alluded to, beyond a certain point, time is priceless and no amount of money can substitute for it