The new year is the perfect time for locum providers to invest in themselves. Expanding your skill set not only boosts your confidence and versatility but can also open doors to higher-paying assignments and specialty opportunities.

The new year is the perfect time for locum providers to invest in themselves. Expanding your skill set not only boosts your confidence and versatility but can also open doors to higher-paying assignments and specialty opportunities.<h2>Why Continuing Education Matters for Physicians and APPs</h2>Even experienced providers benefit from upskilling. Here’s why:<ul><li>Stay Competitive: Healthcare facilities increasingly seek providers with specialty certifications.</li><li>Increase Earning Potential: Certain certifications or skill sets qualify you for higher-paying locum roles.</li><li>Broaden Opportunities: More skills mean you can take assignments in a wider variety of clinical settings.</li></ul><h2>High-Value Certifications for 2026</h2>Consider these certifications to enhance your marketability as a physician or APP:<ul><li>Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Essential for hospital-based assignments.</li><li>Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): Valuable for pediatric or family practice shifts.</li><li>Trauma Life Support (ATLS for physicians / TNCC for APPs): Ideal for ER or trauma assignments.</li><li>Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) / Emergency Medicine CME: Boosts credibility for ER work.</li><li>Telehealth Certification: Expands opportunities for remote care and hybrid clinical assignments.</li></ul><h2>Short Courses for Fast Skill Growth</h2>For busy locum physicians and APPs, time is limited. Consider:<ul><li>Procedural Skills Workshops: Hands-on courses for specialty procedures (e.g., line placement, point-of-care ultrasound).</li><li>Documentation &amp; EMR Training: Enhances efficiency and reduces errors.</li><li>Patient Communication &amp; Cultural Competency: Improves patient satisfaction and interdisciplinary collaboration.</li></ul><h2>How to Fit Learning Into a Busy Locum Schedule</h2><ul><li>Online &amp; Self-Paced Programs: Learn from anywhere at your own pace.</li><li>Microlearning Modules: Short lessons that fit into downtime between shifts.</li><li>Weekend or Holiday Workshops: Take advantage of slower periods or local conferences.</li></ul><h2>Leveraging Your New Skills in Locum Work</h2>Once you complete a course or certification:<ul><li>Update Your Profile: Highlight new skills on locum platforms or professional profiles.</li><li>Target Specialized Assignments: Apply for roles that match your newly acquired qualifications.</li><li>Share Your Knowledge: Teaching, mentoring, or precepting can further build your professional reputation.</li></ul> By strategically selecting courses and certifications, physicians and APPs can increase earning potential, expand assignment options, and maintain a competitive edge in the locum marketplace. Make this the year you level up your skills and elevate your locum career!Looking for a locums role now? Learn more <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums/hotjobs?utm_source=Website&amp;utm_campaign=Blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Upskill in the New Year: Courses & Certifications That Pay Off for Locum Providers