When you take a locum tenens assignment, flexibility becomes a powerfully liberating advantage. Assignments range from single shift to multiple weeks or months. It's completely up to you. The common denominator is that you'll be adding valuable experience to your career.
If you’ve felt the pinch of having more patients to see and not enough time to see them, you’re not alone. Today’s healthcare system is overworked. And providers across the country are feeling it.
Growth in the oldest segment of our population means more people need healthcare
Millions more patients now have insurance
Physicians retiring or leaving practice are outpacing new doctors entering practice
In addition to full-time staff, hospitals need to fill temporary gaps when a doctor goes on vacation or when they’re searching for a full-time candidate. Locum tenens can also be used for increased patient demand as well as for battling burnout, a growing concern in healthcare.
1. Would I like to experience different practice settings?
Many providers use locum tenens as a way to gain valuable experiences they just can’t get in their current facility. It’s also a great way to build their CV.
2. Am I confident in my clinical competency?
The temporary nature of locum tenens doesn’t allow for lengthy orientations. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are expected to get up to speed as quickly as possible.
3. Will my schedule accommodate temporary assignments?
Locum tenens contracts vary in length depending on the needs of the facility. This scheduling flexibility is what many find appealing about the career alternative.
4. Can I live away from home and family for days or weeks at a time?
Temporary absences from family are a reality. To make it easier, many providers make traveling with their family a part of their assignment. But it is something to discuss as a family.
5. Do I have my finances in order?
We will help cover costs of travel, housing, licensing, credentialing, and more while on duty, but you will operate as an independent contractor—not an employee. You are responsible for paying state and federal income tax for each assignment’s earnings.
Experience different locations and practice settings
Earn extra income to pay down student loans
Eliminate administrative headaches
Focus on patient impact
Avoid or alleviate burnout
Continue providing medical services
Transition into retirement with more freedom and flexibility
Watch Dr. Gray, D.O., share his experience of working locum tenens in underserved communities.
1. Why would I want to take locum tenens jobs?
There are many reasons why doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants work locum tenens, including greater scheduling flexibility, fewer administrative responsibilities, experiencing a variety of clinical settings, and supplementing income.
2. Who provides malpractice insurance coverage?
Weatherby Healthcare covers malpractice insurance for every locum tenens assignment.
3. Do I become an employee of the locum tenens agency?
The short answer is no. Locum tenens physicians remain independent contractors; however, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may become staffing company employees.
4. Who arranges travel and housing details?
While on assignment, our extensive team will manage all aspects of your travel and housing so you can focus on providing care.
5. Why do I need a consultant?
At Weatherby Healthcare, your consultant is specialized in your field. Plus, they don’t just send along potential jobs, they help you through every step of the process, from providing interview tips to licensing and credentialing.
One thing people might not realize about locum tenens jobs...is how much you’re valued and how grateful the staff is that you’re there. It’s so important to have a locum tenens physician. I initially thought of locums as a go-between service, but now I realize that these doctors fill an essential role in many places—sometimes for many years. It’s very gratifying to come together as physicians, and I feel valued to be part of a team and in a critical role. I’m so glad I decided to do locum tenens.".
—Dr. Marilyn Berko
I gain valuable experience and supplement my income when I take assignments, usually 10 days a month, but I’m able to continue working at my practice part-time. Locum tenens is really convenient and a win-win situation for me and the other facilities. It’s easy to take those calls. I have the freedom to pursue what I want to do and time in my schedule for new opportunities.
—Dr. Prasanta Candra