Getting into the medical field, particularly as a doctor, often means that there is very limited mobility within the profession. Once you are located and have a practice and a professional reputation, the thought of building up a patient base and starting over in a new location can be daunting. Being a travel physician offers multiple benefits for those who enjoy the idea of being a doctor but would like to work according to their own schedules.
For many doctors, becoming a travel physician is an opportunity to both expand their professional skills as well as to work with a variety of different medical professionals. By working with a top placement agency, it is possible to have temporary work at the top teaching and research hospitals across the country. You can do all this while not having to go through the full job hunt process and moving on a permanent basis.
Freedom
One of the benefits of choosing to be a travel physician is the freedom it provides. You can work full or part-time either based on assignment or how often you accept assignments. This means you can work around other obligations such as family, special events, extended holidays, or additional training without the responsibility of a full-time, permanent position.
Also, if you choose, the travel physician model can allow you to go to specific areas at specific times of the year. You can work in the northern parts of the state in the summer and then take a position at a hospital in the south for the winter.
Limited Long Term Demands
Having a practice and working as part of a full-time staff in a hospital or medical treatment facility of any type is both physically and emotionally draining. Burnout is not uncommon, especially for emergency room physicians and those in specialized areas of practice.
As a travel physician, you can choose the areas you want to practice for a given assignment. This allows you to vary the demands of the profession while also having the ability to take a few days, weeks, or even months off if you start feeling the demands of the job.
Experience New Treatment Options
Having the ability to work with some of the leading hospitals and staff throughout the country opens new doors to medical treatment options. You can have that specialized experience without committing to a long-term move and job within the facility.
This ability to network and grow as a medical profession is important to many who become a travel physician, and it is certainly a very important part of this essential job.