Non clinical jobs

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TDDro said:
Gaddam! For what? Do they manage and pay for licensing, housing, and food? Pretty amazing if the middle man can make half as much as the guy actually doing the work. Then again, that's medicine!
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they manage and pay for licensing, housing, and food and travel
 
The best locums situation in my opinion is to develop a personal and recurring relationship with a hospital or group. There are many single linac, single doc sites that will need locums coverage for 6-10 weeks per year, every year. By cutting out the locums company, you can earn more and save the hospital money too. The primary rad onc and staff will appreciate a covering doc who they know and trust, rather than the revolving door of docs that the locums company provides. Even a week of "babysitting" can be eventful between emergency consults, patient setup issues requiring replanning, patient complaints, etc. It's so much better to have a doc who knows the staff and system. And if you aren't available one week, then they always have the locums company as a back up.
 
KHE88 said:
Locums companies take around a 30% cut, so the hospital will typically pay the firm something around 3k.
2k would be a reasonable rate. More saturated areas less, Less saturated areas more, obviously.
Tend to be more of an option for people who are not BC/BE or part-time retired docs.
Locums as a new grad would be a disaster unless you're doing it in the same city you already live in while you wait for something else to open up.
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Why a disaster for a new grad? I've heard nothing on this thread that makes me think it's a disaster of you're cool with work flexibility and not making >$300K/yr. Money isn't everything...but that may be wasted on deaf ears for some on this thread.
 
FrostyHammer said:
Why a disaster for a new grad? I've heard nothing on this thread that makes me think it's a disaster of you're cool with work flexibility and not making >$300K/yr. Money isn't everything...but that may be wasted on deaf ears for some on this thread.
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It would be a disaster because having extensive locums experience is a big black mark in terms of how it is viewed by those evaluating job applications. Especially if you're a new grad... Rightly or wrongly it will be perceived as a red flag.
 
RollTideRadOnc said:
It would be a disaster because having extensive locums experience is a big black mark in terms of how it is viewed by those evaluating job applications. Especially if you're a new grad... Rightly or wrongly it will be perceived as a red flag.
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That assumes you'd want to go back to a regular job. If you get to travel a few months of the year, and sit at home a few others, who needs a real job?
 
evilbooyaa said:
I imagine it's about ability to be gainfully employed in the future. Historically locums is looked down upon. If you do well and you can transition into a full time job at one of the locusms sites that's probably the best outcome.
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I have zero issues about being employed at Podunk places that offer locums. Job market may be just OK (I refuse to buy into the doom and gloom on SDN, and choose to be more measured), but I don't think anyone can ever be worried about the market in the types of places that frequent locums...
 
As I've said, part time and even full time locums is possible. It is all dependent on personal preference.

However, I'd urge caution if your intention is to build a career at any point in the future. Traditionally, locums have not been strong physicians. In the past they were locums because they were essentially unemployable elsewhere. Second, employers want stability in employees. Family, local ties, etc are all viewed favorably if you ever intend to settle down for full time employment. A string of locums gigs will not be viewed favorably regardless of the job market.

You are certainly entitled to make as much or as little as you please whether it's a career, income, etc. Just know what you're getting yourself into.
 
Traditionally, locums have not been strong physicians.
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I think this is a fair point. I've definitely seen my share of locums and actually have functioned in that capacity for a brief time myself. Generalizing, I think they fall into a few categories:

1. Retired but after a distinguished career and still sharp and inquisitive; the best of the lot in my opinion
2. Retired and way past their prime. Some are not even board certified. They struggle with EHR and modern techniques; legally they serve a purpose for coverage but clinically you would be better off with a Med Onc or NP covering
3. Not retired but as @randomname2018 wrote, there is a reason why they do locums because they are otherwise unemployable
4. Not retired but do locums for family reasons; if you can build a relationship with 1-2 people in this category then I think you can find a diamond in the rough
 
We could always try to forge a mosquito irradiation market. Think of the picture below... except itsy, bitsy testes...

Buzz off: breakthrough technique eradicates mosquitoes


Mkh2bkh.png
 
It's really depressing to read through this thread. There should be plenty of non-clinical jobs that IM, peds, path, and other traditionally less well-compensated doctors flock to that rad-oncs can also do: pharmaceutical R&D, consulting, equity research, venture capital, the list goes on and on. Many of these offer attractive perks, including the option to do locums once a week/month/etc.
 
I've looked extensively at the non clinical job market for the last several years. There are very few part time opportunities and even fewer full time opportunities. Those that have been successful in this arena have done so because they have managed to start their own business.

There are multiple reasons why these opportunities are lacking in our field. We are a very small segment of medicine with little outside recognition. Additionally, the market is dominated by large vendors which have extensive dealings with universities. These master agreements do not necessarily benefit individuals themselves but rather the university. Lastly, compensation has been an issue. Clinical work has paid well and there hasn't been motivation to pick up these opportunities at reduced pay.
 
xrthopeful said:

222 Radiation Oncologist Jobs Hiring Now | Indeed.com

222 Radiation Oncologist jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Oncologist and more!
www.indeed.com www.indeed.com

265k/year
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Wait everyone is saying those jobs aren't out there, just made up by a bunch of folks on sdn. I'm confused now.

This kinda makes me wonder what the minimum salary the market will bear for rad onc before BE/BC MDs would no longer work in the field and seek other opportunities or retrain in something else. I've heard from others but not actually seen this myself that NYC academics are starting in around the $200K neighborhood.
 
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edited as you have edited.
 
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