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Are you a healthcare professional looking for your next job opportunity? Consider locum tenens jobs as a flexible and rewarding way to practice medicine. In this article, we'll explore what locum tenens is, the benefits of working locum tenens positions, and how to find the ideal locum tenens job for you. We also highlight some of the most in-demand specialties for locum tenens work, including anesthesiology, primary care, emergency medicine, and more. Keep reading to learn how Caliber can help you find your next role.
Working in the healthcare industry is a dream for many people. Not only is it a prestigious profession that can earn a highly competitive salary, but working in healthcare also gives providers the satisfaction of helping people in need. If you’re looking for a new job in the medical field, there may be some confusion as to where to start. The good news is that Caliber is here to help. Let's explain what locum tenens is, its benefits, and how we can help you find your ideal healthcare job.
Locum tenens is a Latin term that means “to hold the place of.” In the healthcare industry, locum tenens refers to a temporary contract of a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professionals who fills in for another healthcare professional (e.g., a doctor on maternity leave or a nurse on sick leave) for a specified period of time. This contract can range anywhere from a few days to several months or even years. Locum tenens physicians are independent contractors who work with staffing agencies that help them to find short-term placements at hospitals or private practices.
Locum tenens work can be an excellent option for healthcare providers looking for greater flexibility and variety in their careers. In fact, any physician who wants more flexibility in their work schedule, better work-life balance, and the opportunity to travel and see the country should consider locum work. But there are a few groups of healthcare providers who should consider locum work, in particular.
First, recent graduates or young healthcare professionals who want to gain experience in various clinical settings should consider locum work. By working locum tenens, they can have the opportunity to work in different regions, facilities, and specialties, helping them acquire broad clinical experience.
Retired practitioners who want to continue practicing but on a less stringent schedule are fantastic candidates for locums tenens jobs. Retirees can take advantage of locums work as a way to keep their clinical skills sharp while still enjoying retirement life.
Healthcare professionals who have family obligations or personal commitments that require them to work selectively are also a great fit for the locums lifestyle. Locum tenens work can be an excellent option to balance their work and personal commitments.
Finally, healthcare professionals who want to earn extra income are always welcome to take on locum tenens jobs. Healthcare providers can work locum tenens assignments on their days off, vacations, or weekends, earning additional money while still maintaining their primary job.
Typical locum tenens assignments can vary in length depending on the needs of the healthcare facility and the availability of the healthcare provider. However, most assignments are usually around three to six months in duration, although some may be as short as a few weeks or as long as a year or more.
The length of an assignment is also influenced by the type of specialty or subspecialty involved in the locum tenens work. For instance, primary care providers such as family physicians and internists may have shorter assignments, while specialists like radiologists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons may have longer assignments due to the difficulty of finding replacements. In some cases, locum tenens providers may be asked to extend their assignments or return for future work, depending on the specific needs of the facility.
Jobs for locum doctors can be found throughout the United States. There are jobs for locum tenens doctors in every area featuring part-time and full-time positions ready for you to find after Residency. The best place to learn about what open jobs are available for locum doctors in different locations is to contact a qualified locum tenens agency, like Caliber.
With guidance from reputable locum tenens organizations, you find the most attractive locum doctor positions available wherever you want to travel. And if you’re not sure where to go, a locum tenens agency can help you find locum doctor positions where you can make more money while making a difference.
The average salary for locum tenens positions varies depending on specialty, location, and experience. But on average, locum tenens physicians typically earn more competitive pay compared to physicians in permanent positions in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. However, some locums providers may earn more than average, while some may earn less depending on the location and demand.
Factors that typically impact locum tenens salaries include geographic location, the physician's specialty, the length of the assignment, and the facility's needs. Some locum tenens physicians choose to work longer assignments, which typically yield higher pay rates. Additionally, physicians who work in more demanding specialties such as surgery tend to make more than those who work in primary care specialties.
It is essential to note that locum tenens salaries typically include additional benefits such as housing, travel expenses, and health insurance. Overall, working as a locum tenens physician can be quite lucrative, and the flexibility and freedom it offers can be quite appealing to many physicians.
Locum tenens offers many benefits not only to healthcare professionals but to healthcare facilities and patients as well. If you're thinking about trying locums work but aren't sure if it's the right fit for you, consider some of these benefits.
Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of working as a locum tenens physician. You'll have the freedom to choose your assignments, schedule, and location. Without being committed to working at a single hospital or practice, you'll have the opportunity to explore different specialties and work environments. Not to mention, you won't be burdened with the business and bureaucracy of running a private medical practice, such as marketing, billing, and hiring staff.
A tremendous benefit of locum tenens work is the ability to travel and experience different parts of the country or even the world. If you've ever wanted to visit a particular area of the country or the world, working as a locum tenens provider is a highly satisfying way to do it. Not only will travel opportunities expand your cultural awareness and understanding, but it can also help with professional development, giving you a unique chance to learn treatment techniques and strategies you may not have encountered otherwise.
Locums work helps many physicians plan and save for retirement. Many locum tenens physicians are approaching retirement age, and rather than sunsetting into the end of their careers, many use the flexibility of locum tenens work to slowly transition into retirement. Locums jobs give physicians the freedom to practice their own terms while adding to retirement savings and providing a better work-life balance.
If you're interested in broadening your horizons as a healthcare provider, locums work is a great way to expose yourself different specialties, healthcare settings, and patient populations. One locums assignment may take you to a small hometown clinic while another may take you to a bustling emergency medicine setting. Exploring different specialties and healthcare settings can help you in developing a more robust skillset as a medical professional.
One of the unfortunate consequences of choosing a career in medicine is the burden of medical school debt. Luckily, locum tenens jobs are a popular solution to managing med school debt. By working as a locum tenens physician, you can earn a higher wage, work on a flexible schedule, and even negotiate for reimbursement of travel and lodging expenses. This can help you pay off your debt faster while also gaining valuable experience in your field.
Many physicians in today's healthcare system are experiencing unprecedented burnout. Locum tenens physicians can enjoy a better work-life balance by choosing when and where they work. You'll have more control over your schedule, giving you the flexibility to take time off for personal reasons, travel, or pursue hobbies. This offers the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling personal life while still working as a healthcare provider.
Caliber can help connect you with your ideal locum tenens job. Finding the ideal locum tenens job is crucial to ensure job satisfaction and professional growth. As a temporary physician, working in a job that aligns with your experience, preferences, and lifestyle leads to a better work-life balance. It enables you to gain diverse clinical experiences, enhance your skills, and create a network of contacts in various medical specialties. Moreover, choosing the right locum tenens firm is essential to streamline your job search and ensure timely payments, benefits, and support.
Caliber can connect you with a wide range of locum tenens positions across several specialties, including:
Locum tenens anesthesiologists can work in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals to outpatient clinics. Many facilities prefer to have anesthesiologists on their staff to provide safe anesthesia care for patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures.
Locum tenens emergency medicine physicians who work in emergency departments, providing life-saving care to patients during critical moments. This specialty requires physicians to react instinctively to various medical situations and provide rapid, accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Locum tenens primary care physicians work with patients to provide daily checkups, physical exams, routine care, and referrals to specialists as required. With the shortage of primary care providers, locum tenens physicians are in high demand.
Locum tenens gastroenterologists provide patients with treatment for conditions of the digestive tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, gallbladder issues, and more. These physicians can work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing care for a wide range of conditions.
Locum Tenens surgeons provide patients with surgical treatment, both procedures that are elective, such as breast reconstruction, as well as emergency surgery procedures. Hospitals in rural areas, in particular, may require Locum Tenens surgery coverage due to staff shortages and the need for regular on-call coverage.
Locum tenens urologists specialize in providing patients with care for the urinary tract and reproductive system. This includes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and more. Locum Tenens Urologists can work in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Locum tenens radiologists provide insight using medical imaging and ionizing radiation to diagnose and treat disease. They use various techniques involving X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT-scan, MRI-scan, and Mammography to provide visualization of the human body. These physicians can work in a diverse range of institutions and medical settings.
Locum tenens neurologists specialize in treating conditions that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. These conditions can include epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other movement disorders. Locum Tenens Neurologists can work in a wide range of medical centers, hospitals, and health facilities.
Locum tenens hospitalists work in hospitals, providing medical care to hospitalized patients. They work on a short-term basis to fill in for absent or over-stretched physicians for a dynamic work experience. These physicians manage various inpatient medical conditions, including infections. Hospitalists have become an increasingly important part of the modern healthcare system and are much in demand.
A career as a locum doctor can be incredibly rewarding for those who enjoy variety, flexibility, and autonomy in their work. While full-time permanent medical professionals will remain essential to the American healthcare system, locum doctors will be increasingly relied on to care for patients in the coming years.
Caliber connects qualified healthcare professionals with the facilities that need them most. We use a specialty-focused recruitment approach to connect the right providers with the right hospitals and clinics. Whether it's a few extra shifts or full-time locums jobs, we provide a comprehensive range of assignments for our clients supported by a robust pool of healthcare staffing resources.
Don't wait for a great locum tenens job to pass you by. Contact Caliber to get started in finding your ideal locum tenens position today. With the variety of locum tenens positions currently available across a wide range of specialties, we'll connect you with the best locums job opportunities for you.
Working locum tenens means filling in as a temporary physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional at a facility for a set period of time. This could be for a few days, a few weeks, or even several months. Rather than being a permanent member of staff, locum tenens healthcare professionals are typically brought in to help healthcare facilities handle staffing shortages, sudden surges in patient demand, or cover for permanent staff who are on leave.
Examples of locum tenens include temporary physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other healthcare professionals who fill in for permanent staff members who are on leave or vacation, or who are needed during periods of high patient volume. Locum tenens providers may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and long-term care facilities.
Providers may choose to work locum tenens for a variety of reasons, including scheduling flexibility, a greater variety of job opportunities, more competitive pay, reduced administrative responsibilities, travel opportunities, and improved work-life balance.
