Whether you’re a physician or an advanced practitioner early in your career or seasoned in the field, there are many job avenues to grow and succeed. You may choose to work permanent positions that offer long-term stability or opt for locum tenens jobs that provide greater flexibility and exposure to diverse clinical settings. Each path has its unique benefits, but have you considered the advantages of combining both?

Four Benefits of Working Locum Tenens and Permanent Positions

1. Earn Supplemental Income

Saving for a down payment on a new home? Aiming to pay off your student loans faster? Taking on locum tenens assignments in addition to your permanent job can significantly boost your income and help you reach your financial goals sooner. With the freedom to build a schedule tailored to your financial needs, you can work as much, or as little, as you want. Best of all, you have full control over the locum tenens jobs you choose, giving you the flexibility to accept locum tenens assignments that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and long-term plans.

2.  Explore New Practice Settings & Grow Your Clinical Skillsets

Working locum tenens allows you to broaden your clinical expertise beyond the scope of your permanent role. Whether you're covering shifts at a large urban hospital or a small community clinic, you will gain exposure to diverse patient populations across a range of practice environments. You may also encounter advanced equipment or perform specific procedures that are unavailable at your permanent facility. While locum tenens assignments offer the opportunity to acquire new skills, your permanent position enables you to develop a deeper understanding within your healthcare system. Together, permanent and locum tenens roles help you build a more comprehensive skill set, making you a more versatile, well-rounded physician or advanced practitioner.

3.  Make a Broader Impact While Advancing Your Career

Working locum tenens in addition to your permanent role empowers you to expand your reach and help communities facing physician and advanced practitioner shortages—on your terms. By stepping in where care is needed most, you help ensure patients receive uninterrupted care while offering valuable support to facilities under strain.  Whether supporting an understaffed hospital or filling in during provider vacations, your expertise brings relief and stability. It’s a fulfilling way to make a difference, stay connected to diverse clinical environments, and continue building your career alongside your permanent position. 

4. Expand Your Professional Network

Balancing locum tenens work with a permanent position creates opportunities to connect and collaborate with other healthcare professionals across various regions and clinical environments. While locum tenens assignments introduce you to new colleagues with fresh perspectives, your permanent role enables you to foster lasting relationships with other physicians or advanced practitioners in your community. Expanding your professional network through both permanent and locum tenens roles enriches your expertise and opens doors to opportunities that contribute to your long-term growth.

The Benefits of Partnering with Medicus

Working a locum tenens assignment in tandem with a permanent position can unlock new opportunities for growth, financial stability, and professional development. Whether you're looking to enhance your clinical skills, supplement your income, or forge collaborative relationships, combining both work models allows you to get more out of your medical career.

Partnering with a reputable locum tenens agency, like Medicus, takes the stress out of managing both roles. We don't just match you with any locum tenens assignment; we take the time to understand your unique career goals and preferences, ensuring that every locum tenens opportunity you accept aligns with your professional vision. From handling all the logistics, including licensing, credentialing, scheduling, and travel, to providing continuous support throughout your assignments, Medicus simplifies the process, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best: delivering exceptional patient care.

Interested in working locum tenens alongside your permanent role with Medicus? Complete the short form below to connect with a Medicus recruiter.