Locum Leaders, a leading physician and nurse recruiting firm specializing in temporary medical staffing, known as locum tenens, is projecting rapid growth in 2009. The company's positive outlook is fueled by increased industry demand in key physician specialties and the company's strategic investments in technology and service.
"The economy notwithstanding, we predict strong quarterly growth in our business, especially in the areas of hospital medicine (patient care delivered by hospital-based physicians) and anesthesiology," said Will Drescher, Locum Leaders CEO. "Demand for hospitalists is surging and we are positioned as a national leader in the placement of locum tenens hospitalist physicians."
Locum tenens is a Latin phrase meaning "to substitute or take the place of." Locum Leaders contracts with healthcare facilities that have temporary staffing needs, such as vacation openings, and then recruits and places qualified physicians and CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) to fill those needs - often by temporarily relocating the healthcare provider.
Locum tenens is the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. medical staffing industry, according to analysts. "Physician turnover at hospitals and doctor and CRNA shortages are catalysts for our business," said Drescher.
Locum Leaders was launched in 2008 and its leadership team is drawn from industry veterans with a track record of success. CEO Drescher was previously a Partner and Vice President at Locum Tenens.com. Investment for Locum Leaders comes from W3, LLC of Alpharetta, GA, whose principals were partners at B2B Workforce, a leading IT recruiting company acquired in 2007.
Although a young company, Locum Leaders has invested heavily in client services and technology that Drescher views as a point of differentiation.
"Web-based convenience and service are keys for our success," he said. "All of our client and provider interactions are managed with state-of-the-art software. Our website lets physicians search and apply for jobs and gives them online access to their credentialing documents."
Other company benefits for healthcare providers include A++ occurrence-based malpractice insurance, weekly pay with direct deposit, and hassle-free transportation and housing assistance for all jobs that require travel.
Expansion into surgery staffing is part of the company's rapid growth plan in 2009, as is additional hiring at Locum Leaders itself. "Not many companies are hiring in this economy, but we are," said Drescher. "Smart, talented recruiters and account managers are critical to sustain our growth and meet the needs of our customers."
