The Locum Tenens Strategist | Create A Career And Lifestyle On Your Terms Simon Parsons | Locum Tenens Senior Advisor

In this engaging episode of The Locum Strategist Podcast, OBGYN Dr. Marilyn Stahl shares her fascinating journey from being overworked and overwhelmed in a private practice to having the courage to claim back her freedom by pursuing a locum tenens path. Dr. Stahl’s candid recounting of the chaos in her life, from overwork to personal challenges, offers a relatable backdrop for anyone considering a change.

Dr. Stahl provides invaluable insights for those exploring locum tenens work. She emphasizes the importance of thorough research, understanding the benefits of contracting, and building a strong relationship with your consultant. She discusses the autonomy to create your own schedule, the thrill of traveling to new places, and the joy of rediscovering your passion for medicine without the constraints of long-term contracts and hospital politics. Her advice on balancing professional goals with personal fulfillment is sure to resonate with many.

Dr. Stahl shares the highs and lows of locum tenens work, from achieving work-life balance and ticking off bucket list items to the heartbreak of canceled assignments. Hear her heartwarming story of making a significant impact on a distressed team of nurses and her practical tips for integrating into new hospitals.

This episode is packed with Dr. Stahl’s personal stories and expert advice, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about the locums lifestyle.

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Please share this episode with anyone you think may find value in this.
Please drop some stars (leave a rating) on Spotify or Apple.
If you would like me to put you in touch with a reputable recruiter, leave feedback or requests, you can reach me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com
Connect with Dr. Marilyn Stahl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-kindig-stahl-832851203

Grab my Ultimate Locum Tenens Playbook here: https://simonparsons.ck.page/locums

Today I'm going to show you step by step on how to optimize your CV specifically for locum tenens work. You can use these notes as a resource and list these sections in this order:


1. Contact Information

Start with your name, address, and contact information at the top of your CV. Ensure your phone number and email address are current and professional.

2. Education

List your educational background in reverse chronological order:

• Fellowships: Specify the institution, your specialty, and the dates (mm/yyyy) you attended.

• Residency: Include the institution, your area of specialization, and dates.

• Medical School: Name the institution and the dates of attendance.

• Undergraduate: List your degree, the institution, and your graduation date.



3. Work History

Your work history should also be in reverse chronological order. For each position, include

• The name of the hospital or clinic,

• Your role or title,

• The dates you worked there (mm/yyyy format),

• A brief description of your duties and special achievements, especially those relevant to locum work.

4. Board Certifications

Clearly list any board certifications you hold, along with the certifying body and the date of certification.

5. Certifications

Include any relevant certifications such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Fundamental Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). These are crucial for surgeons and highly valued in locum tenens roles.

6. State Licenses

Make sure to include all state licenses that you currently have active, if you have an IMLC letter of qualification it would be good to include this as well. DEA's and Controlled Substance Permits are optional but in my opinion just add clutter and aren't needed.

7. Societies and Professional Memberships

Detail any professional societies or memberships you are a part of, as these connections can enhance your credibility and network.

Optional Items

While not essential, you can include awards, recognitions, and publications if they are relevant and recent. Keep this section brief to maintain focus on your primary qualifications.

Proofreading Your CV

Before submitting your CV, ensure it is free from spelling and grammar errors. Here are a few tips: Use a reliable spell checker, but don’t rely solely on it. Read your CV thoroughly to catch errors that automated tools might miss. Have a colleague or mentor review your CV. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and offer valuable feedback. Read your CV out loud. This can help you catch awkward phrasing or errors that you might overlook when reading silently.

Use a Clean, Professional Format

• Consistent Formatting: Use a clean, professional format with consistent fonts and clear headings. This makes your CV easier to read quickly.

• PDF Format: Save and send your CV as a PDF to maintain the formatting across different computers and operating systems.

Use Chat GPT for feedback, questions, spell check or revisions. You an copy and paste your CV (or upload it) and tell it exactly what to do by using prompts. Here are some examples of what a prompt is:

"Generate a professional summary for a surgeon with 10 years of experience in trauma surgery." 

"List action verbs for describing surgical duties in a CV." 

"Help me format the education section of a medical CV with reverse chronological order." 

"Suggest concise descriptions for surgical procedures commonly performed in locum tenens assignments." 

"Review this bullet point for clarity and impact: [insert bullet point]." 

"What are some effective ways to highlight locum tenens work specifically in a surgical CV?" 

"Create a list of professional societies related to general, trauma, and vascular surgery." 

"Draft a brief section on ATLS certification for a surgical CV." 

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Contact me at simon.parsons@comphealth.c

On this episode I'll share some best practices on how to nail your phone or virtual interview for your locum tenens position.

These days, about 60% of the locums assignments that we book require 1 or sometimes multiple interviews before they get the green light.

I'll share some of my best tips to set you up for success and many of these tips can be used for perm interviews or can give you some ideas on improving communication skills as well as how to play to your strengths and some good questions to ask.

Please share this episode with someone who can use this message and don't forget to rate this podcast if listening to on Apple or Spotify, it takes just a second to drop some stars!

If you are a general, trauma or vascular surgeon, you can book a 30 minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/simon-parsons/physician-strategy-call

If you would like to leave feedback, suggest a topic, ask a question or have me put you in touch with a reputable recruiter please email me at simon.parsons@comphealth.com

Thank you for your support!

What is it like to do Locum Tenens as a career? I had the incredible opportunity to interview PM&R physician Dr. Genevieve Jacobs as she dives deep into her 3 year career out of residency as a career locum tenens physician.

In this value packed episode, Dr. Jacobs details what its like to travel all around the country, including up to Alaska.

She shares her best practices when it comes to integrating into a new hospital setting, how to find a reputable locums agency and recruiter, what questions to ask before you book a locums assignment and most importantly: the number one piece of advise she would give to anyone who is thinking about doing locum tenens work.

Dr. Jacobs now documents her locum tenens journey and uses social media to help educate other physicians on the things that she wish she knew when she first started.

Connect with Dr. Jacobs

Website & blog: https://www.drjacobshealth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocumlady/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievejacobsdo/

Imagine getting booked for your dream locums gig. Everything looks great, you've done all the paperwork, your plane tickets and hotel is booked and you are getting ready to leave for an assignment and you get a call from your recruiter telling you that they couldn't get you through credentialing!

It happens, especially when working with inexperienced recruiters that look the other way and ignore red flags or don't properly qualify their candidates. While some things are out of your control, one thing that is in your control is making sure you have a solid list of references that you can count on.

In this episode I'll be breaking down how you can set yourself up for success by asking your recruiter exactly what you need to pass credentialing and not leave it to chance. I'll also share with you some nightmare scenarios that can happen when you don't get intentional about cultivating your list of locum tenens advocates (aka references).

I will also tell you exactly what I would do if I was a physician looking for locum tenens work.

Your calls to action:


Please drop a rating (stars) on this podcast if you are on Apple or Spotify, it just takes a minute!
If you are a trauma, vascular or general surgeon you can schedule a 30 minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/simon-parsons/physician-strategy-call?month=2024-03
If you'd like me to refer you to a reputable recruiter in a different specialty, or leave feedback or topic suggestions you can email me at: simon.parsons@comphealth.com

I don't want to sell you on Locum Tenens work. What I want to do is give you an objective peek inside the Locums world and decide for yourself if its right for you.

I've done extremely well as a locum tenens recruiter by giving candid feedback to the physicians I talk with. I tell them the bad and the good.

Today's episode is a compilation of clips I've shared on social media from some of the interviews I've done with the doctors I've worked with.

Locum tenens is not right for everyone, but it might be a very good fit for people who:


More control over their schedule and skill set.
Want to work part time or phase into retirement.
Value flexibility and freedom over title/status/money.
Want to pay off bills in between residency & fellowship.
Sick of hospital politics and 60-80 hours work weeks.

If you are a trauma, general or vascular surgeon you can set up a 30 minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/simon-parsons/physician-strategy-call

You can also email me if you would like to leave feedback, request a topic or have me refer you to a reputable recruiter: simon.parsons@comphealth.com

Please share this episode and take 1 minute to 'drop some stars' on this podcast (Apple or Spotify).