After years of dedicated studying and hands-on training at the hospital, transitioning from residency or fellowship to your first full-time position is an exciting and rewarding milestone. As you begin your journey as a physician, you will encounter a variety of practice opportunities nationwide that will shape both your professional and personal life. Before committing to one specific location and practice setting, consider a career opportunity that allows for a wide variety of experiences - locum tenens.
The Benefits of Locum Tenens Careers
A common myth suggests that locum tenens careers are for physicians who are more advanced in their medical careers or are nearing retirement. However, this is not the case. Locum tenens careers offer numerous benefits to physicians at any career stage, and they can be especially impactful for those post-residency or fellowship.
Test Drive Different Clinical Practice Settings
During residency or fellowship, you may have primarily worked in a specific type of practice setting, whether it was a rural hospital or a large medical center. As you transition to becoming a full-time physician, you might be curious about working in different environments, such as a bustling city, a small community, or a government facility. Committing to a permanent position without experience in these settings can be daunting.
Locum tenens jobs offer the perfect solution by allowing you to explore a variety of facilities and practice environments. This flexibility lets you test more options than a permanent position would. For example, you might take a locum tenens job in a busy urban hospital after training in a rural setting and discover it's not the right fit for you. That's okay—your next locum assignment can be tailored to better suit your preferences.
With a locum tenens career, you can determine your ideal practice environment without the long-term commitment. If you find a setting you particularly enjoy, you can consider seeking a permanent position there. This way, you gain valuable experience and confidence in choosing the best career path for your professional and personal fulfillment.
Explore Different Locations
Have you always lived in the suburbs but fantasized about the unique energy of city life? Or perhaps you trained in a Midwest college town but dreamed of heading to the West Coast to dip your toes in the sand? Maybe you're intrigued by places that lie somewhere in between, each with its own unique charms and benefits.
Before committing to one location for your permanent job, consider the advantages of exploring your dream destinations through locum tenens work. Locum tenens jobs allow physicians to work in various locations nationwide, providing a temporary opportunity to experience the day-to-day life in each place. This enables you to gain valuable insights and perspectives on different environments.
By working locum jobs, you can sample a variety of locations before making a long-term commitment. This way, you can find the perfect place to put down roots, ensuring that your chosen environment aligns with your professional and personal goals.
Uncover Unparalleled Work-Life Balance
For the past 10-plus years, you have adhered to a demanding, well-defined schedule with little room for flexibility or downtime. By choosing locum tenens work post-residency or fellowship, you gain the freedom to decide whether you want to work full-time or part-time.
Locum tenens jobs offer the flexibility to choose shifts that fit your preferences, allowing you to schedule your professional life around your personal life. With a locum tenens career, you can define your own scheduling parameters and take only the assignments that align with your professional goals and personal needs. This way, you have the chance to create a balanced and fulfilling career on your own terms.
Interested in a Locum Tenens Career?
Starting your locum tenens career enables you to create your ideal future by exploring various clinical practice settings and geographical areas. This approach offers exposure to new experiences and opportunities that are often unavailable in permanent positions.
By partnering with a reputable locum tenens agency like Medicus, you can maximize these advantages. At Medicus, we prioritize your goals by offering comprehensive support tailored to you throughout your locum tenens journey. We provide licensing and credentialing assistance, handle all travel arrangements, and serve as your dedicated career advocates.
Additionally, our exclusive My Medicus Loyalty Program enhances your partnership with us. This program offers personalized benefits, travel perks, exclusive events, and more. At Medicus, we make beginning and navigating your locum tenens career post-residency or fellowship seamless, ensuring you enjoy a fulfilling career path.
To learn about locum tenens career post-residency or fellowship, download our complete Resident & Fellow Toolkit below.
Download the Complete Resident & Fellow Toolkit
Download the Complete Resident & Fellow Toolkit
