One aspect of being an amazing Locum CRNA is being flexible. Yes, I mean being able to reach your toes and bend over backwards. OK OK not so much. Flexibility in this case refers to your time and ability. Your ability to manage just about any case you need to do and be happy doing it. Your ability to stay late ... again. Can you come in early? Are you able to take call? Can you set-up the Heart? Will you go do the epidural? Will you take the student and teach them?
These are definitely all questions I've had. Flexibility is being able to answer the call. The more you can say yes and be able to do so with a smile. The more likely you will be seen as an asset the facility needs despite your being a rental. I find that it leads to returning multiple times to facilities. I think it leads to satisfaction of the overall group and interpersonal dynamics when everyone from the janitor, anesthesia tech, other CRNAs, and management can see that you are both knowledgable and have a can-do attitude. Do I think you should do something that makes you uncomfortable? No, but do you say "No, I won't do that" ... I'd say that's a poor way to communicate. I'd say, "Hmmm, I haven't done a retrobulbar block before would someone be able to do those with me or is there a room with Interscalene Blocks as I've dont hundreds of those?" This gives the group an opportunity to use you to the extent of your skills but also tells them that eyeballs just aren't blocks your comfortable doing. So, flexibility with skills can be very important.
Case flexibility is very important and is a play on skills. The more comfortable you are in a variety of cases and practice types, the more marketable you become. The better you market yourself or the agency is able to market you, the more likelihood you can ask for higher pay, more hours or keep yourself in demand.
Hours flexibility. Many times I hear someone say I just want to work 8 hour shifts. Sometimes, locum providers are scheduled just 8 hour shifts. Totally true. I don't know what to do with myself only doing 8 hours. Many places have gaps in their schedule because most employees want that cushy 8 hour schedule. If you are flexible in your hours you might get to work overtime, get mid-week days off, or even have time to get some errands done before or after work on certain days. Many times it's all in how you contract with a facility. For example 8 hour per day guarantee versus a 40 hour per week guarantee.
Flexibility leads to hospital and group satisfaction. Consider this as you continue to grow as a locum provider.
Topics to come will be skills, attitude, and presence.