A locum tenens opportunity is a temporary staffing position for a physician at a medical facility. The Latin term "locum tenens" means "to hold the place of another." That is exactly what the original locum physicians did: held the place of another physician until they returned from vacation, illness or sabbatical. While this is often still the case, locum doctors today may view their locum work as a stepping stone or a career choice. The locum doctor may work in a "locum-to-permanent" position enabling the physician and practice to see how they fit before committing. A locum doctor might be needed to meet seasonal fluctuations in demand for medical care in desirable climate locations. The physician may use locum work to supplement his income or help repay education loans. Or the physician may have found she likes the ability to control her schedule and experience different practice environments and patient populations. The great thing about working as a locum tenens physician is the flexibility.
A locum tenens assignment could be for a day, weekend coverage, several months or even years. The average locum tenens assignment is three weeks in duration. However, government locum tenens coverage periods could run for longer terms of one to five years.
A locum tenens position can be in any medical specialty, any type of practice, anywhere in the country. Locum Medical has found work for doctors in practices in the furthest north U.S. city and the southernmost.
Who works locum tenens?
There is no "typical" locum tenens physician. A physician of any age or specialty may choose to work locum tenens. More and more physicians are realizing this type of medical coverage is desirable.
For recently graduated physicians, locum work enables them to experience different medical practice styles and locations throughout the country before they commit to a full time position. Established physicians often enjoy the ability to experience a different practice or patient population - locum work can provide learning opportunities and new perspectives. And doctors who are approaching retirement often turn to locum work as a way to continue practicing medicine without the stress of full time practice. Doctors in all walks of life enjoy using locum tenens as a means of vacationing in new locations.
To join the growing number of locum tenens physicians, please visit our physician registration page.
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