Locum tenens physicians serve a vital role in hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the country. These adaptable and determined providers accept temporary contracts to fill staffing gaps in big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between, providing quality care across countless specialties.
Here, we highlight Weatherby Healthcare’s 10 specialties with the highest demand for locum tenens jobs.
1. Emergency Medicine
The need for locum tenens providers in emergency medicine continues to grow, due to shortages in emergency departments nationwide. Fortunately, many characteristics typically associated with emergency medicine physicians lend themselves perfectly to locum tenens practice. Check out our recent article on why working locum tenens makes sense for ED doctors, then browse Weatherby’s emergency medicine jobs.
2. Hospitalist
As healthcare continues to move away from private practice and into group practices owned by hospital groups, the demand for hospitalists continues to grow. Industry surveys show doctors are embracing this change, happy to work as hospital employees and reduce the headaches associated with owning and operating a business. Physicians can go a step further and eliminate bureaucratic headaches entirely by opting for locum tenens hospitalist jobs.
3. Neurology
Neurologists providing temporary coverage bring much-needed relief to their overworked colleagues, and ensure continuity of care to patients, especially those in underserved communities. Both short-term and longer locum tenens neurology jobs are available across the country for physicians interested in earning extra income while filling a vital need.
4. Pulmonology
Two of the busiest areas in medicine are care of the critically ill and management of pulmonary disease. As our nation’s percentage of elderly patients continues to increase, so, too, will our need for qualified pulmonologists. Facilities from coast to coast are looking for support from locum tenens pulmonologists to help provide the necessary coverage.
5. Psychiatry
As the majority of our nation’s psychiatrists near retirement age and few new graduates enter the specialty, it’s no surprise that many behavioral healthcare facilities are unable to find permanent staff, putting locum tenens psychiatrists in high demand.
6. Family Practice
The acute shortage of primary care and family practice physicians affects all 50 states. Though the shortages often hit rural areas hardest, cities and towns of all sizes are being impacted. Locum tenens family practice physicians are urgently needed to help preserve continuity of quality care.
7. Cardiology
Facilities in every region of the country are in need of cardiologists to supplement their staffing needs. If you’re looking for inspiration, read the story of a cardiologist who revived his love of medicine by accepting locum tenens contracts in cardiology. Then browse our locum tenens cardiology jobs.
8. Gastroenterology
A Medical Economics annual survey revealed more than a quarter of gastroenterologists look to supplement their earnings from a second income. With shortages of this specialty all across the country, gastroenterology locum tenens jobs are an excellent way to bring in more money each year.
9. Anesthesiology
U.S. healthcare facilities are facing a shortage of anesthesiologists, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Due to increased medical liability rates, fewer specialists entering the market, and an aging population, locum tenens anesthesiologists are currently in high demand. Fortunately, providers in this specialty can move easily from facility to facility, and locum tenens anesthesiology jobs abound.
10. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetricians and gynecologists can find locum tenens contracts in any region they prefer due to shortfalls in this specialty. To help provide much-needed services to women in underserved communities while earning extra money and exploring new locations, check out Weatherby’s OB/GYN locum tenens jobs.
