Nationwide Anesthesia Services, Inc. offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about working locum tenens, permanent placement, and the staffing services that we provide to facilities and group practices throughout the country. Click on a subject heading below to view questions and answers relating to your interests. Links throughout this section will guide you to additional information on our website or from other sources.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
CRNAs should also provide copies of their CRNA certification/recertification card; AANA membership card; and all diplomas/certificates from Nursing and Anesthesia School.
Anesthesiologists should provide copies of their DEA Certificate; Board Certification, if applicable; and all diplomas/certificates from Medical School, Internship, Residency, and Fellowship, if applicable.
Many hospitals also require proof of current immunization records against hepatitis, measles, mumps, rubella, and rubeola, as well as a recent TB/PPD skin test. We recommend, at minimum, obtaining a PPD test showing results within the last 9 months.
Download our locum tenens application and reference inquiry forms.
One of the most important things you can do as a locum tenens CRNA or Anesthesiologist is keep us up–to–date when you acquire new licenses.
As a CRNA applying for a new license, be sure to let the nursing board know you are a CRNA, and that you will need the Advanced Practice application as well as the RN application.
We also advise that you request temporary licensure along with the permanent license, as permanent licensure usually requires verification from your original state of licensure and verification of transcripts from the AANA, which can be much more time–consuming than the temporary licensure process.
A Nurse Licensure Compact has been implemented in several states, allowing a nurse to have one license (in his/her state of residency) and to practice in other Compact states under a system of mutual recognition. At present, the Compact only applies to RN licensure, so a CRNA would still be required to obtain an Advanced Practice license in each Compact state where he/she intends to work.
As of July 2008, the Compact states are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information about the Nurse Licensure Compact, contact the National Council on State Boards of Nursing.
By taking call and working overtime, many locum tenens CRNAs working for our agency are earning well over this amount per year. In addition, lodging and travel expenses are provided for each assignment.
Most of our assignments guarantee an 8–hour minimum per day. If you are required to take call on a weeknight, you will earn the equivalent of one hour as a call fee, plus the hourly rate for any call–back time worked. If you take call on a weekend or holiday, the call fee will be the equivalent of an 8–hour minimum, plus the hourly rate for any call–back time worked in excess of 8 hours.
*Per hour rates range from $90 to $110, depending on the practice and location.
Many CRNAs and Anesthesiologists just starting to work locum tenens choose to utilize Cobra health benefits from their former employer, which can be purchased for up to 18 months following employment.
We also recommend that you contact an insurance broker in your local area for a quote for health, life, dental and disability insurance, as Cobra coverage is only a short–term option and is usually more expensive than obtaining coverage on your own.
The average health insurance policy costs approximately $3,500 to $4,500 per year for family coverage, and $1,000 less than that for individual coverage.
Disability insurance costs approximately $2,000 to $2,500 per year for a policy paying 60% of your salary with a 90–day waiting period. Pre–existing conditions can greatly affect the cost of insurance premiums.
Most clients will not require you to provide proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance as you are considered an independent contractor.
For those of you who plan to work in the state of Virginia, you will need a policy with limits of at least $1,925,000 per occurrence/$5,775,000 aggregate.
For information about coverage through CNA, contact AANA Insurance Services at 800–343–1368.
When you are on assignment with Nationwide Anesthesia Services, if you do not have your own policy, you can purchase malpractice coverage through our agency for a cost of $5 per hour worked, with an 8–hour minimum per day (for CRNA coverage; contact us for information about Anesthesiologist coverage). Keep in mind, though, that if you work as a locum tenens more than 26 weeks per year, it will be more cost–effective for you to purchase your own policy.
Many full–time locum tenens CRNAs are now choosing to travel and stay in their RVs. Should you utilize an RV, Clients will often reimburse you what they would normally pay for an apartment or hotel.
Many people choose to travel with their pets. This is generally not a problem but you may be responsible for paying additional pet deposits or costs associated with lodging your pet. Please let us know prior to your assignment that you will be traveling with a pet and we will make arrangements for your animal.