What is Locums Tenens?
Locum tenens (Latin for “one holding a place”) is the term used to describe the placement of physicians and healthcare providers into temporary positions. It is a process that allows medical facilities to ensure that they are well staffed, while at the same time providing medical professionals the opportunity to serve patients populations where there is the greatest need.
Why Work Locum Tenens?
There are many reasons why providers choose to work locum tenens.
More career flexibility.
Working locums allows providers to practice whenever and wherever they want. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to mapping out your schedule, (e.g., 1 week a month, or 4 shifts per month on days when you’re not scheduled). You also control where you work and in what setting (e.g., hospital, office-based practice, rural health clinic, or government facility).
Increase your income.
Working locums tenens is viable as both a full time or part time option. You can often make more money than with a traditional hospital position, or you can supplement your current position by working as many additional shifts and days as you desire.
Less bureaucracy.
Spend more time focusing on patients and less time dealing with the management duties of private practice. No need to hire and train staff, purchase malpractice insurance, or worry about overhead costs.
Expand you experience base and skill set.
Encounter a more diverse range of patients and cultures, as well as interesting new colleagues and friends. Gain experience in different facilities, with new procedures and with more (or less) advanced work settings and technology.
Travel.
Visit new and desired destinations while getting paid. Whether you link your locum assignments with amazing new travel destinations, or to the home towns of family and friends, you now have lifestyle opportunities that traditional positions may not allow.
Try out new jobs and locations – before you sign.
Working locum tenens provides that chance to explore different jobs and locations to ensure they are a good fit, before making the next long term commitment. It is not uncommon for locum tenens providers to decide to take a full time position when it becomes available.
Which providers work locum tenens and when is the best time?
Locum tenens is a viable option for medical professionals at every career stage.
Residents and Fellows
Locum tenens allows new resident and fellowship graduates to weigh their options as they consider placement opportunities. You earn valuable income and gain great experience while trying out potential facilities and locations.
Mid-Career Medical Providers
There are a number of reasons that many mid-career providers choose to work locum tenens. The increased flexibility allows for expanding your skill set and network while controlling your schedule and earning extra income.
Late-Career Medical Providers
Locum tenens is a great career move for our most experienced medical professionals. If you are officially retiring from public or private practice, or just looking to decrease your monthly work load, locum tenens gives you the flexibility to keep working while maintaining better work/life balance.
Fulfill a Personal Promise or Cause
Locum tenens offers a way to use your skills to do amazing work in communities that are persistently under resourced and under-served. This could mean working in large urban facilities with high patient numbers, or working in rural facilities that serve our diverse Native American populations.
Interested in doing locums with Palante?
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to answer your questions 24/7/365. Contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at (505) 506-1186.