OB/GYN Providers Are Taking More Laborist Opportunities for the Flexible Benefits
Traditional OB/GYN doctors spend part of their time in the hospital delivering babies and part of their time seeing patients in a clinic for general OB/GYN exams and procedures. Doctors usually develop relationships with expecting mothers during pregnancy, so when the baby arrives, the doctor is there to deliver it at the hospital.
Being an OB/GYN doctor is often unpredictable and demanding due to the nature of the role. It’s not rare for an OB/GYN doctor to have to go into the hospital in the middle of the night to deliver a baby, only to be woken up by appointments the next morning. There are also times when an OB/GYN will get a call that their patient is going into labor while they’re away on vacation.
The Laborist Position
A laborist is an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) who specializes in caring for women during childbirth. The laborist works at the hospital and is responsible for any woman admitted in labor, from start to finish or until the patient’s health care provider arrives.
Laborists don’t have to juggle a busy office schedule with on-call obligations. They typically provide priority care and round-the-clock availability, working only in the hospital.
The benefits to the patient are numerous. Laborists are associated with an 83% reduction in stillbirths in labor and a 17% reduction in major neurological developmental injuries, such as less oxygen to the brain, due to waiting.
Exceptional Benefits of Being a Laborist
The benefits of taking a laborist position are plentiful. Laborists have set shifts, which makes for better work/life balance and greater predictability. They don’t need to worry about coming into the office for appointments, which takes a lot of stress off their shoulders.
Shortage of Obstetricians
A 2019 report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists projected “a shortage of up to 8,800 obstetricians and gynecologists [OB-GYNs] by 2020, and a shortfall of up to 22,000 by 2050.” In fact, half the counties in the U.S. lacked “a single OB-GYN” in 2017, ACOG estimated.
Locum OB/GYNs Step Into Laborist Positions
Locum Tenens OB/GYNs are scooping up Laborist Positions for the excellent pay, benefits, work/life balance, and flexibility it provides. Laborists have the option of working full-time or part-time and are guaranteed time off for vacations, holidays, and personal days. As a result, Locum Tenens OB/GYNs often find Laborist positions to be desirable.
VISTA is helping healthcare organizations fill Laborist roles. We have an expansive network of OB/GYN locums providers available to fill these positions. We work with hospitals and clinics nationwide to match them with highly qualified, experienced providers.
Whether you’re an OB/GYN provider looking for a Laborist position or a healthcare organization looking to fill one, VISTA is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
