If all your physician friends are finding time to travel the world, gain experience, and still find time for friends and family, and you’re wondering how they do it… Look no further! Their secret? Working locum tenens! Taking temporary medical contracting positions as a locum tenens physician is a great way to bring care to underserved areas and broaden your own horizons, as well as make some serious cash. It’s not too good to be true, either—this process actually benefits both the physicians and the healthcare facilities.
Here’s what you need to know about locum tenens and how it works:
What is locum tenens, really?
The term “locum tenens” typically refers to a temporary physician who works with a recruitment agency to fill short-term vacancies for a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. As a locum tenens physician, you’ll be paid as a contractor through the staffing agency—which will help you handle all of the organization and logistics of working as a temporary medical contractor. Essentially, this type of position is simply a temporary healthcare assignment.
Why the funny name? “Locum Tenens” comes from the Latin phrase “to hold the place of,” which makes sense, given that these positions are temporary and you’re essentially “holding the place” for someone who will take over the role after you’re gone.
How does it work?
Locum tenens works like any other type of medical employment, except that it can be much shorter in duration. Some physicians use this type of work to pick up extra shifts in addition to full-time employment, and others use it to travel the country, working weeks or even months in each location. The beauty of this type of work is that it allows you the flexibility to choose your schedule, so that really locum tenens functions however you need it to.
This process benefits both the physician and the healthcare facility, as it allows the hospital or clinic to continue to offer excellent care to patients even if they’re having trouble filling a vacancy full-time. By working locum tenens, you’re stepping up to fill part of the gap caused by the current physician shortage—so everyone benefits.
Why choose locum tenens?
Physicians across the nation choose locum tenens work for a wide variety of reasons. There are many benefits associated with working locum tenens, including higher pay, more day-to-day variety, freedom to choose your own schedule, and of course, the ability to travel. While the organization side of things can be a bit tricky, when you partner with a staffing agency like Eskridge & Associates, they can help you get all your paperwork and other logistics taken care of quickly, so that you can focus on doing what you do best.
If you’re ready to embark on your locum tenens adventure, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking for placements of a single shift, a few weeks, or multiple months, we have a host of opportunities available to suit every lifestyle. Contact Eskridge & Associates today to get started.