The Ultimate Locum List: Your comprehensive locum assignment checklist
Embarking on a new locum assignment is an exciting journey, but ensuring every detail is accounted for is crucial for a smooth and successful first day. This checklist serves as your compass, guiding you through the essential questions to ask before diving into your next locum tenens role. From logistics to expectations, use this checklist to ensure you're fully prepared for what lies ahead in your locum adventure.
Badge and Access:
- Verify badge access and codes for doors.
- Check availability of mobile computers; if not provided, bring your own.
- Understand code protocol/Teams
Printing and e-Prescribing:
- Determine how to route to the regular printer.
- Inquire about e-prescribing setup and authorization.
- Ensure your DEA is on file.
- Learn the two-step authenticator process for controlled substances.
- Find out how to route to the script printer.
- Access to PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program).
Facilities Access:
- Obtain access to the doctor's parking lot.
- Locate the doctor's lounge/verify code/badge.
- Gain access to the admission board.
- Check access to outside hospital EMR.
- Confirm admitting privileges in Epic.
Technological Setup:
- Set up Dragon or other dictation software.
- Verify availability of mobile dictation devices.
- Set up secure messenger.
- Confirm access to secure mobile texting app.
- Learn how to access labs, imaging.
- How to get remote access.
- Is there email access..
- Ensure access to other EMRs from sending facilities.
Contact Information:
- Obtain contact information for:
- IT support
- lead physical therapist
- charge nurse
- case manager
- Pharmacy
- Lab
- Imaging
Admission Process:
- Identify the admission liaison.
- Understand how admissions are decided.
- Determine unit restrictions for admission (Dialysis, O2 needs, wound vacs, etc)
- How to access the MAR (Medication Administration Record).
- Locate discharge summary.
- Where to find PAS for H&P writing.
- Learn to switch between encounters for admit orders.
- Locate admit templates and preset orders.
Discharge Process:
- Determine who writes the discharge summary and places discharge orders.
- Understand medication reconciliation process and e-prescribing setup.
- Who enters the DC pharmacy?
Transfer Process:
- Find out who writes transfer orders and notes.
- Learn the access line for transfers.
Scheduled Appointments:
- Determine who arranges transport for outside appointments.
- Who does follow-up appointments after discharge.
Consults:
- Learn how to request a consult.
Teams:
- Identify team meeting day/time/location.
- Understand how to sign team notes and IPOC (Interdisciplinary Plan of Care).
F2F (Face-to-Face):
- Locate where to fill out F2F for home health and custom wheelchair assessments.
Call Coverage:
- Understand the sign-out process.
- How to access call schedule.
- Clarify pay structure for coming in matches your contract.
Billing and Coding:
- Identify responsible party for billing and coding (AKA is it ME?).
- Understand necessary documentation.
Getting Paid:
- Understand the time entry procedure.
- Set up direct deposit for payment.
