By Joe Dyton, WCI ContributorPhysician shortages have become a growing problem for hospitals and medical practices. While the number of available doctors decreases, the same can’t be said about the number of patients in need of medical attention. The disparity between physicians and patients has led medical facilities to lean more heavily on locum tenens (temporary) doctors to help fill the void.
Locum tenens physicians have been willing to step in because they can usually earn more money in less time than a full-time doctor. The arrangement sounds beneficial, and it mostly is. But there are downsides to the independent contractor lifestyle. Keep reading to better understand the pros and cons of being a locum tenens physician.
What Is a Locum Tenens Physician?
Locum tenens (Latin for “to hold a place”) physicians serve as temporary workers at a clinic, practice, or hospital that isn’t their own. These temporary stints can last from a few days to several months—potentially even longer depending on need. Locum tenens doctors are crucial to the healthcare system because they can provide much-needed relief to full-time physicians who work in areas where they’re constantly on call and unable to take a break.
They’re also important because they often work in areas where physicians are in short supply that could not withstand their full-time doctor being away for too long. When locum tenens physicians step in, the full-time doctors they’re temporarily replacing get a chance to continue their medical education or to simply step away to avoid burnout.
Working with locum tenens physicians is typically a win-win for all parties. The employer still gets to have a well-trained doctor on hand while their full-time physician takes leave. Meanwhile, the locum tenens doctor is well compensated for their work and gets a change of scenery as they work in a new location.
More information here:
A Conversation with Locums Docs
How to Become a Locum Tenens Physician
Hospitals and clinics welcome locum tenens physicians—especially when they’re shorthanded or have full-time staffers who desperately need a break. You’ll need to find a place to work before you can lend a hand, however. This can be done with or without a locum agency. There are benefits to looking for work independently as well as with an agency’s assistance.
Finding Locum Tenens Work Without an Agency
The internet has made it easier than ever to find a locum tenens physician position without using an agency. While agencies can save you a lot of time by handling the search, the tradeoff is you could earn less money. Agencies can charge hospitals or practices as much as 50% more than they’d pay the doctor and pocket the difference. In this model, an agency may make you a lower offer, because the less it has to pay you, the more that agency can keep.
If you’re willing to do a little more legwork to find a locum tenens position so you can keep more of your earnings, here’s where you can look in place of working with an agency:
- Online job listings: Just as you would with a standard, full-time job search, looking online can introduce you to a number of locum tenens physician openings. Your search could lead you to medical-specific sites such as Doximity or the New England Journal of Medicine or general job sites such as ZipRecruiter.
- Cold calls: There’s always a chance a clinic or hospital has openings for locum tenens doctors but hasn’t advertised them online. Pick up the phone and ask local medical practices if they have any ongoing needs for fill-in physicians. Your timing might be perfect, and they will need you right away. Worst case, they’re covered at the moment, but they will get your information in case they need you in the future.
- Reach out to your network: Don’t hesitate to let fellow physicians in your circle know that you’re looking for locum tenens work. Even if they don’t have something for you, they might know of someone else who does. The more people who are aware that you’re seeking this type of opportunity, the more likely you are to secure a position.
Finding Locum Tenens Work Through an Agency
You can save money and likely expand your search by finding a locum tenens opportunity without an agency, but it’s still a lot of work. Agencies, however, can help you with so many aspects of the process of becoming a locum tenens physician, including:
- Applications, licensure, and credentialing
- Providing medical malpractice insurance
- Help with transportation and housing (paying for it or ensuring the employer covers it)
- Addressing any issues that come up during the stint
- Scheduling
Working with an agency can be beneficial if you want to work in different locations on a regular basis. Since hospitals pay premiums to agencies to bring you on in addition to paying your salary, you become expensive quickly and they’ll want to move on from you as soon as possible. Locum tenens agencies are also a good alternative if you want to find an assignment quickly or just want some short-term work.
Agencies can be helpful in securing you a locum tenens position, but you want to make sure you find the right fit. Some questions to consider when choosing an agency and recruiter include if they have enough job opportunities to offer you, if the recruiter understands your exact needs, and if they can get you the flexibility that you’re seeking.
You’ll have to take a few steps before accepting one of these coveted positions, however. First, you’ll need to obtain a medical license for the area you want to work. You’ll also want to complete the necessary paperwork and get credentialed as soon as possible. If you already have another job, be sure to also review your hospital or practice’s rules for working as a locum tenens physician before starting.
More information here:
9 Questions to Ask Before You Take a Locum Tenens Job
Which Physician Specialties Can Work as Locum Tenens?
Demand has grown for locum tenens physicians due to physician and advanced practitioner shortages in different specialties and various parts of the US. As the country’s population gets older, the number of available physicians decreases, and telehealth becomes more prominent, almost any medical specialty is eligible for locum tenens work.
Some of the most in-demand specialties for locum tenens physicians include:
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Family Practice
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Pros and Cons of Being a Locums Tenens Physician
Like with most professions, locum tenens work has its advantages and disadvantages. At first glance, the potential earnings and flexibility may seem enticing, but it’s also important to explore the drawbacks before jumping into this line of medical work.
Pros
Pay
Medical facilities typically bring on locum tenens doctors because they need someone to fill the role until they can find a permanent solution. Because of this need, employers tend to pay locum tenens physicians well. The higher salary allows physicians to reach their financial goals faster, whether that’s paying off medical school debt, saving up for a new home, or putting more money away for retirement. Locum tenens positions also often pay for travel, housing, and other living expenses—which helps physicians save even more while earning a bigger paycheck.
Flexibility
As a locum tenens physician, you have a lot more control of your schedule than you would as a permanent doctor at a hospital or practice. There’s an opportunity to work hard for several months, take a month or two off, and then find another temporary position. Meanwhile, you’re making just as much money, if not more, than full-time physicians working when and where you want.
Location Independence
Locum tenens gives you the chance to work in different parts of the country without being tied to a place for too long. If you take a job in a certain city and realize it’s not for you, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can move on when your contract is finished. Alternatively, you may wind up working somewhere you love and want to extend your commitment if your employer is willing. Your locum tenens position also allows you to live in a more expensive area but provides you with the salary to afford the cost of living there.
Cons
Time Away from Home
Locum tenens offer great pay and flexibility, but you might have to leave home to get it. There’s always the possibility that there are locum tenens opportunities in your area, but if not, you might have to spend months away from home if you want to enjoy what this temporary work has to offer.
Paperwork
Securing a locum tenens physician position is just a step in the process. You will have to get another medical license if you’re going to work out of state. You’ll also need to get credentialed and secure malpractice insurance. Working with a locum tenens agency can help simplify this process, but it doesn’t change the fact that you will need to fill out a number of forms every time you start at a new hospital or practice.
Learning Curve
Every medical facility has its own system and way of doing things, which you will have to learn every time you start a new gig. Getting through the learning portion of your role can make your first few weeks a little stressful and hamper your workflow until you are up to speed.
More information here:
Is Locum Tenens Right for You?
Locum tenens can be a great way for physicians to earn a good salary while working a more flexible schedule from different locations. If you like the idea of working in various places for limited periods, a locum tenens physician role might be worth exploring. For those who prefer a more standard schedule and staying in one spot, there’s still plenty of room for full-time physicians as well. The advantages and disadvantages come down to personal preferences and circumstances.
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