Locum tenens assignments can benefit any physician or advanced practitioner throughout their career! Whether you are a resident, fellow, an established physician, or an advanced practitioner – we invite you to check out the locum tenens lifestyle.

Your 1-Minute Read on All Things Locum Tenens

Locum tenens work provides you with the flexibility to decide where, when, and how you work — giving you more autonomy over your career. Here are the main aspects to take note of:

  • You can work locum tenens full-time or in conjunction with your permanent job.
  • You have the opportunity to help underprivileged areas that are short-staffed.
  • You earn significant pay advantages.
  • You can travel 10 or 3,000 miles from home.
  • You can make your own schedule.
  • You have access to personalized health benefits and resources when working with Medicus.
  • You can select which position is best for you – traditional coverage, consulting, leadership roles, entire program launches, and more.

What is Locum Tenens?

Locum Tenens [lo·cum te·nens] noun

1.   Latin for one holding a place.

When accepting a locum tenens job, you are essentially filling a shift at a healthcare facility temporarily. Locum tenens work emerged in the late 1970s as rural facilities struggled to hire enough staff to meet the care needs of local patients. It has since surged in popularity and has been adopted by healthcare organizations across all specialties.

As healthcare facilities continue to face staffing shortages and physicians and advanced practitioners seek more flexibility in their schedules, locum tenens work has become increasingly popular, and promises continued growth.

Why Work Locum Tenens?

The flexibility of this career choice offers the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country, experience new practice environments, and increase work-life balance! You can work locum tenens full-time or in addition to your permanent position.

Transform your future work experience with the following benefits:

  • Autonomy: Take control over your career and personal life. Choose which healthcare facilities and assignments best fit your aspirations.
  • Community: Support major cities, rural communities, or underprivileged areas that are short-staffed and in need of your care. Make an impact while helping to build a healthier future.
  • Travel: Travel 10 or 3,000 miles. Pick the location that best suits your life while all the logistics are handled by your locum tenens partner.
  • Flexibility: Never miss the next big event in your life. Choose when and where you work with a reliable locum tenens partner.
  • Compensation: Locum tenens come with significant pay advantages. Your locum tenens partner is your advocate, negotiating rates on your behalf.

Together, we help you make a difference in the lives of others while achieving optimal work-life balance and financial comfort.

Starting Your Locum Tenens Journey with Medicus

Exclusive Jobs

Medicus provides hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare organizations with customized resources, services, and strategies to help cover staff shortages, optimize service lines, and build-out departments. Clients turn to Medicus for supplemental and permanent staffing, comprehensive consulting services, program launch support, department restructurings, and help create efficiencies throughout the hospital or health system.

Unlike other staffing firms, our full-service solutions and benefits lead to exclusive arrangements and long-term partnerships with hundreds of leading hospitals, physician groups, and health systems nationwide. We have built long-term relationships with physicians, advanced practitioners, and hospitals by focusing on quality, commitment, and accountability.

Dedicated Recruiter

Your dedicated recruiter takes the time to understand your unique goals and challenges, so we are best positioned to help you find — and secure — a locum tenens assignment that meets your aspirations.

Before accepting an assignment, your dedicated recruiter handles contract negotiations and assists with credentialing and licensing needs. In addition, they will ensure you have all the necessary information before your first day of work. Once you’re on assignment, your recruiter becomes your advocate checking in to make sure you have the resources needed and are enjoying your new locum tenens assignment.

Work the way you want with Medicus locum tenens. Together, we help you achieve your career goals.

Licensing

It is important to get licensed in the states where you want to work. The Medicus licensing team has existing partnerships with medical boards throughout the United States. We help facilitate and expedite the process, ensuring you have the necessary documentation, and we cover the cost! Learn more about licensure application fees and timelines by state here.

Medical Credentialing & References

As part of the locum tenens process, you will undergo medical credentialing to ensure you meet the highest standards in patient care. Obtaining the appropriate credentials for your assignment can be complex - but we make it as easy as possible. When working with Medicus locum tenens, a designated team of specialists coordinates and expedites your credentialing paperwork and streamlines the process.

The required documents include the following:

  • Proof of training, including residency and fellowship
  • Malpractice claims history
  • All current medical licenses
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Fingerprints and background checks
  • DEA certifications
  • Board certifications
  • Immunization records

Lastly, make sure to gather professional references! These are colleagues and co-workers that can attest to your professionalism and skill set. Given the number of documents and references that need to be checked and verified, the credentialing process can be time-consuming, with some physicians and advanced practitioners not securing work until months after submitting their applications. That’s why partnering with the right staffing agency is critical.

Travel

Medicus coordinates and books all your travel arrangements. We work to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while on assignment. We coordinate and pay for all rental car, housing, and flight arrangements. As part of our My Medicus Loyalty Program, we offer premium travel enhancements and other perks to make your travel experiences more enjoyable.

Malpractice

Comprehensive medical malpractice coverage is provided through Medicus. Our malpractice is covered with a quality professional liability policy.  

Personalized Online Portal

Gain access to MedicusIQ, a personalized portal/app that allows you to effortlessly keep track of your assignment details from start to finish. This is a secure platform that prioritizes confidentiality and your privacy. With the MedicusIQ dashboard, you can access travel arrangements, schedule updates, saved job searches, and more.

In addition, your online portal streamlines the entire payment process. Simply submit timesheets directly through the online portal and get paid. MedicusIQ is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and allows you to customize your preferences based on your specific requirements.

The Anatomy of a Locum Tenens Agreement

When you accept a locum tenens assignment, you become an independent contractor providing services to hospitals and organizations. Medicus collaborates with you to find opportunities that best fit your personal and professional aspirations. In addition, we have in-house resources to guide you through legal and contractual obligations.

Before working with Medicus or other locum tenens agencies, you’ll be asked to enter a locum tenens agreement. It is encouraged to have your lawyer also review the agreement before signing. The basic components of the locum tenens contract include:

  1. Term, Non-Compete, and Payment

  2. Medical Malpractice

  3. Expenses

  4. Cancelations

  5. Licensing

  6. Agency and Provider Expectations

  7. Accounting & Financial Planning

  8. Health Coverage

In Conclusion

Work with an agency that offers more than traditional locum tenens assignments. Medicus features positions ranging from consulting, interim leadership roles to entire program launches! These unique opportunities enable you to leverage your skills and experiences to positively impact other organizations.

When working with Medicus, you gain access to all of the benefits included in our My Medicus Loyalty Program. The program welcomes you into a community of like-minded individuals, allowing you to network across the industry and learn more about locum tenens opportunities and best practices. My Medicus Loyalty Program also gives you access to vendors offering substantial health, tax, and financial benefits, vastly enhancing the value of your locum experience.

Whether you are working locum tenens full time or in conjunction with your permanent job, you’re able to choose the where, the when, and the how of your own career.

View the Full Locum Tenens 101 Guide Here: