What is Locum Tenens?

Locum Tenens

Locum tenens, commonly shortened to locum or locums, is a Latin phrase that translates to “holding the place of.” As the term evolved, it came to represent a person who stands temporarily for someone else of the same profession. Today, locum tenens is a career — one that has made a significant, positive impact on the healthcare industry.

The concept for locum tenens as a means of temporary healthcare staffing developed in the United States during the 1970s. What started as a need for rural physicians in Utah to continue their medical education training — but couldn’t due to limited staffing at their respective practices — is now a multibillion-dollar industry affecting an estimated 75% of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

While the idea of temporary staffing may appear unpredictable or difficult to balance, working locum tenens offers a variety of unique benefits not only to licensed medical professionals, but to the facilities and patients they serve. To learn more about the benefits of working locum tenens, click here. To learn more about the benefits of hiring locum tenens, click here.

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Benefits of Hiring Locum Tenens

Leave Coverage

When any of your permanent providers leave on vacation, sabbatical, parental leave, or an extended leave of absence, locum tenens providers can help fill the gap.

Provider Replacement

Locum tenens providers can reduce your facility’s workload in times of inconvenience. It can take up to 30 months in low-population areas to replace surgeons, doctors, and other providers; locum tenens providers enable healthcare facilities to find the best long-term providers rather than leaving them scrambling to find a permanent replacement.

Supplemental Coverage

Locum tenens providers can supplement permanent staff during peak seasons! Supplementing permanent staff with locum tenens providers is more cost-effective than hiring permanent physicians throughout the year.

Patient Satisfaction

Staffing locum tenens providers offers easier patient access to medical care and medical staff is given the support they need. The availability of staff directly influences patient happiness and the quality of care they receive, thus improving overall patient satisfaction.

Grand Opening

When opening new service lines — such as a new specialty clinic or sister facility — locum tenens providers are often the ones paving the way until permanent, full-time providers can be hired.

Growth Promotion

Locum tenens providers promote growth and improvement! They give fresh ideas and new insights to keep facilities running smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, they provide a thrilling challenge to the facilities they join, offering alternative approaches and styles in medical care to the communities they serve.

Rural Expansion

Locum tenens providers can assist in expanding care options in rural areas. Hiring locum tenens providers increases medical emergency availability, offers more care options, and additional appointments can be made, thus granting greater medical access for patients.

Benefits of Working Locum Tenens

Why Choose Locum Tenens: Key Benefits for Providers

Schedule Flexibility

Working locum tenens gives you full control over your schedule. You can choose assignments, locations, and duration. As Dr. Geeta Arora shared, it offers flexibility and the freedom to avoid situations that compromise care. Similarly, Dr. William Gruss appreciates the clear separation between work and personal time, unlike his previous roles in private practice.

Career Sampling

Locum tenens is especially helpful for providers starting their careers. Dr. Patrick Alguire notes that it allows you to explore different practice settings and locations "risk-free" before committing. If you're unsure of your next step after training, locum tenens offers a chance to gain experience and clarity without a major financial commitment.

Battling Burnout

Provider burnout is common in healthcare, and locum tenens can help. By offering variety in specialty, location, and duration, it keeps your career fresh. Dr. Arora shares, "I choose how often I work, and it’s a joy. I can provide quality care without burnout.

Travel Opportunities

Locum tenens offers assignments nationwide, allowing you to work with diverse populations and settings. These opportunities can help meet personal and professional goals, including international work. Dr. Arora shares, "I’ve traveled globally, volunteered in Haiti, and soon in Nepal, while exploring holistic medicine.

Extensive Professional Network

Locum tenens assignments help you connect with more healthcare professionals nationwide. The relationships you build often last beyond the assignment, providing a helpful network for future permanent roles or locum opportunities.

Debt Management

Working locum tenens can help repay medical school debt quickly, as lodging, transportation, and malpractice insurance are covered. It also provides supplemental income even if debt isn't an issue. According to NALTO, new physicians can start practicing immediately with locum tenens, and higher pay rates are available in remote areas with greater need.

Smooth Transition to Retirement

If you’re nearing retirement but not ready to fully leave medicine, locum tenens offers a great way to transition. It allows you to stay active in healthcare without full-time commitments.

Greater Fulfillment

Physicians find locum tenens especially fulfilling, as it allows them to treat a wide range of patient cases in facilities with high need. With fewer administrative burdens, locum tenens providers can focus directly on patient care, spending more quality time with patients without distractions.

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