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Traveling across the country or even overseas to live and work often provides an adventure of a lifetime for many physicians. Our locum tenens doctors often rave about their trips, which may include living right on or by a beach, a flexible schedule, lots of travel, revitalizing their medical passion, and more. And sometimes, there’s even an additional perk. Some physicians save money because most locum tenens contracts provide either housing or a housing allowance. But how does locum tenens housing really work?
Q: What should I expect?
“For domestic assignments of 30 days or under, we typically book a higher-end long-stay hotel, such as a Hilton or Marriott,” says Baylie Jones, a Global Medical Staffing housing coordinator. “Anything above 30 days goes to short-term housing, like an Airbnb or VRBO, which includes all housewares, furnishings, and other household necessities.”
Q: Is housing always part of the contract?
It’s almost always part of the contract for domestic assignments. On the international side, it varies. When you work directly with us, housing will either be provided by the District Health Board or a stipend is offered.
“We pick three to four ready-to-go housing options based upon your preferences,” Jones says. “Then you get to choose. There are some good options, and it’s a really interactive process.”
If you sign a contract through us with a healthcare facility, the facility typically provides a housing stipend for you to select your own arrangements.
“In those cases, because we work in communities where we place physicians all the time, we pass along guides and resources and provide you with real estate contacts,” explains Diane Wright, Global Medical Staffing international placement supervisor.
Q: So, is locum tenens housing covered either directly or through a stipend?
Yes. And in the U.S., Guam, Canada, and Australia, the pay is competitive (i.e., comparable to U.S. compensation). That, and by being between homes in the U.S. or renting or subletting, is how some of our physicians save money during assignments.
“Although we can’t promise it will end up that way, locum tenens housing is a great deal for our physicians,” says Jones.
Dr. Robert Garrison worked locums assignments in New Zealand and was housed in apartments that he says were essentially housing for locums near the hospital. “This was definitely the best housing I’ve ever had,” he says. “I’m in a brand-new place with a big bedroom and living area, a kitchen, a washer-dryer, and it was a one-minute walk to work. It was really great.”
Q: Can locum tenens housing cover my family and pets?
Typically it covers a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo or apartment. If you bring your family, the contract asks you to cover anything above that budget. Sometimes, though, we can find a two-bedroom, two-bath place within the housing allowance. “We’ve even had a lot of pets go along,” Jones says.
When Heather Van Dyk Smith’s husband, Dr. Bryan Smith, took a year-long assignment in New Zealand, the entire Smith family — which includes two large dogs — came along. They were able to find housing that allowed pets, but Heather says it’s important to verify well in advance that pets are allowed before you sign a lease. “In New Zealand, it can be hard to find rental properties whose landlords allow pets. It’s sad because tons of Kiwis own pets but for whatever reason they don’t like pets in their properties.”
Q: What are physicians’ satisfaction levels with their housing?
“Physicians have overall been quite satisfied,” Jones says. “We always have your back and can get better housing if necessary.”
Pediatrician Dr. Clark Knutson, who worked a locums assignment on St. Croix, says he was very satisfied with his housing. “The apartments here are really nice. They’ve got a little kitchen so I can cook my own stuff. And when the kids come down or my wife comes down, we don’t always have to go out to a restaurant which is an option.”
Q: How is locum tenens housing different for international assignments?
“Housing is more simplistic overseas,” says Wright. “Maybe there are fewer conveniences, like A/C and heating, or fewer creature comforts, but we will do everything we can to make sure our physicians are comfortable and have a good experience.”
In New Zealand, the contracts are often directly with us, so, in those cases, we make sure that housing is taken care of before our physicians even arrive. New Zealand does, however, have great variety in contracts, so some provide a stipend or other benefits instead.
Heather says housing in New Zealand is typically modest in size but clean and comfortable. She says many homes lack climate control because of New Zealand’s temperate climate. “Unless it’s a new house, the heating systems and A/C are probably nonexistent,” she says. “We have a lounge with a fireplace and there’s a door that closes it off, so we stay in that room for warmth.”
In Canada and Australia, contracts are directly with the facility, and we work to help physicians get in contact with the right person to help with their housing needs.
For assignments in Guam, only some of the contracts offer housing – typically a condo or hotel – but only for a few weeks. After that, the doctor is on their own to find housing. However, we will provide the doctor with realtor information to meet their needs. For shorter stays, we suggest the doctor work with Traveler’s Haven to point them in the right direction. We provide as much information as we can, including where others have stayed with details, photos, and prices.
Q: I think I know what I want in housing. Can you let me run with it?
Sure. How much we help is customized to your needs.
“We’ll step in if our physicians feel they can’t secure something, no matter the type of contract. We’ve been doing this for more than 20 years in many countries and are constantly looking to develop long-term relationships with local housing resources,” Wright says. “This exceptional service is the same as we provide across all of our departments, from placements, to licensing, to securing visas.”
Ready to choose your locum tenens adventure? Give us a call at 1.800.760.3174 or view today’s job opportunities..