As of August 2009, the unemployment rate in America was 9.6%. A staggering number to many and not surprising to others. Many economists predicted that unemployment would rise because of the strain the market began to feel in November of 2008.
Like the fall of Rome, we have experienced an unprecedented failures of business and government to sustain our ever fragile economy. Pinned on the hopes and lofty dreams of a new administration, we have played a game of hide and seek – to which no one seems to be winning.
With such uncertainty, businesses interested in riding the rollercoaster have had to make some very tough decisions – cutting back.
This has resulted in many positions, once lucrative and highly sought after – disappearing and merged into others like a failing bank.
Hospitals, Clinics and Surgery Centers are eliminating unnecessary costs because of the uncertainty in the market and “universal” health care. Both play a significant role in their success and failure. If planned well, a facility will emerge stronger and more resilient, otherwise they will simply be another casualty.
Cutting costs and keeping costs in line ensure that a well operated facility can remain competitive in the future. With this is mind, many of the 1099 positions are turning into permanent positions because the facility can reduce their expenses by one-third.
With this in mind, health care professionals wanting new opportunities, must be willing to look at permanent positions that offer the perks they have been doing without, like medical benefits and paid time off. While the pay may be good for a 1099 position, when you factor in the costs of medical benefits, malpractice and time off, in most cases you are better off as a permanent employee.
There are still many 1099 positions and locums in the market place, but they will become difficult to find, and won’t be able to offer the amount of overtime or high salaries they once did – until the uncertainly becomes a thing of the past.
