As a 10-year veteran of locum tenens, I’ve had my share of locums successes and struggles. During that time, I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from other clinicians about their locums experiences, as well. Now, I get the chance to share one of those conversations in an interview I did with Dr. Zakiya Antoine, a locum tenens physician with Floyd Lee Locums.
Dr. Zakiya Antoine is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who completed her residency in 2017. She says she knew she wanted to pursue the locums lifestyle ever since she was a resident and, in fact, started looking for locums jobs during her residency.
Why did you want to work locums?
Dr. Antoine decided to pursue a career as a locums physician because she wanted to start a business outside of medicine. She didn’t want the “traditional experience” of being a physician and was torn, as she says, “between being a 9 to 5 physician and dancing to the beat of my own drum.” Locums was attractive to her because she wanted the opportunity to explore other options, needed job flexibility, and wanted a higher pay rate.
Why work with Floyd Lee Locums?
Dr. Antoine chose to work with Floyd Lee Locums because she was “struck by how motivated they were to get me the highest paying jobs.” She said they did “whatever they could do to make me comfortable in taking the assignment and provided the things that were most important to me. No other company did that.” She continued, “Floyd Lee Locums stands out from other locums companies because they make sure they match you with the right position, they meet your needs, and are open with the whole process.”
What are the pros and cons of locums?
The greatest benefit of locums for Dr. Antoine is the flexibility it offers for her personal life. She enjoys that she can adjust her work schedule to suit her needs and desires. However, she says the biggest downside to performing locums is the risk of not having a good assignment. Dr. Antoine notes that she has never had a bad assignment with Floyd Lee Locums because, if any issues arise, the consultants at Floyd Lee Locums are very supportive and work hard to resolve them.
Do you have any advice for those new to locums?
The one thing Dr. Antoine wishes she would have known when she started working as a locums physician is how to manage her finances. Because a locums physician is an independent contractor, taxes are not taken out when wages are paid. Not only is a locums physician responsible for paying taxes on their 1099 income, they must also obtain their own benefits, such as life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and a retirement plan. However, Dr. Antoine states this is all feasible if you have a team of financial, legal and accounting experts like Floyd Lee Locums offers. In fact, she encourages other clinicians who are considering locums to not let this deter them.
Dr. Antoine has enjoyed working as a locums for the last two years and says she is grateful to have found the right situation for her so early in her career. She advises other clinicians who are considering locums to do several things:
- First, don’t be afraid of the idea of locums. Floyd Lee Locums guides you every step of the way, a benefit of their concierge approach.
- Have a plan on how to manage 1099 income so “you won’t have any surprises come tax time.”
- Be flexible in terms of your willingness to travel, the places you are willing to work, and the type of work you are willing to do. Be open and honest with your recruiter and see what they come up with. If it doesn’t match, it’s a red flag.
- “Be open to new opportunities!”
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Whether you’re looking to expand your practice, explore new locations, have a locums side gig, or find a better work-life balance, locum tenens could be the solution you’ve been seeking.
At Floyd Lee Locums, we’re committed to providing you with concierge service that puts your needs first. We understand that your work matters, but you matter, too. Let us help you navigate your career and find the perfect fit for your needs and desires.
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Stephanie E. Freeman, MD, earned her Medical Degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and her Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Freeman also completed a Geriatrics fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.