WHAT IS LOCUM TENENS?

Answers, Insights, and Everything You Need to Know About Locum Tenens Work

What if you could design a career that fits your lifestyle while making a lasting impact on healthcare? Locum tenens allows physicians and advanced practitioners to take on temporary assignments in a variety of healthcare settings, providing essential coverage where it is needed most. Whether you are looking to gain diverse clinical experience, supplement your income, or find more work-life balance, a locum tenens career lets you build your professional life around your personal one, not the other way around.

Locum Tenens Definition

Locum Tenens Meaning & Origin

Locum Tenens Impact

Why Do Healthcare Facilities Use Locum Tenens?

Is Locum Tenens Specialty Specific?

Why Do Physicians and Advanced Practitioners Work Locum Tenens?

Benefits of Working Locum Tenens:

Achieve Work-Life Balance

Locum tenens offers the ability to determine when, where, and how often you work. Whether choosing short-term assignments or long-term engagements, you can select opportunities that align with your personal and professional goals. This flexibility allows time for family, travel, and personal interests while maintaining a sustainable work-life balance.

Support Community Care

Provider shortages continue to challenge healthcare facilities nationwide. As a locum tenens, you help bridge these gaps by ensuring patients receive continuous care, whether in urban hospitals, rural clinics, or underserved communities.

Explore Travel Opportunities

Locum tenens work provides the chance to experience different regions and healthcare settings across the United States. Assignments range from urban hospitals to rural clinics, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical environments. Whether staying close to home or exploring new locations, locum tenens jobs offer the flexibility to work in settings that align with your professional and personal interests.

Diversify Clinical Skillsets

Locum tenens assignments expose you to a variety of cases, patient demographics, and treatment approaches. By working in different healthcare settings, you can enhance your adaptability, strengthen your clinical decision-making, and broaden your experience across multiple healthcare settings.

Expand Practice Settings

Locum tenens assignments provide access to a wide range of healthcare environments, from large academic medical centers to small private practices. As a locum tenens physician or advanced practitioner, you can use this knowledge to explore different practice settings and discover the work environments that best fit your practice preferences.

Earn Competitive Compensation

Due to their temporary and high-demand nature, locum tenens assignments often provide competitive pay rates. Many physicians and advanced practitioners use locum tenens opportunities to supplement their income, pay off loans, or achieve greater financial security while maintaining career flexibility.

Interested in Locum Tenens with Medicus

By providing your information through this form, you agree that our team may contact you via SMS, MMS, email, or phone, as detailed in the Medicus Healthcare Solutions privacy policy.

Hear From Physicians Who Made the Switch to Locum Tenens

Physicians across specialties are finding more career fulfillment, work-life balance, and income in locum tenens careers. Hear directly from those who made the switch:

Partnering with a Dependable Agency as a Locum Tenens CRNA

“Medicus does everything other locum agencies do, but they make me feel like more than just a number. Other locum agencies reach out to me all the time, but I don't even consider them because I love working with Medicus.”

Michael, CRNA

Finding Work-Life Balance as a Locum Tenens Anesthesiologist

“I get to do things that make me happy when I want to. I no longer have to defer life satisfaction in favor of career satisfaction. I have them BOTH!”

Dr. Dawson

Expanding Personal & Professional Growth as a Locum Tenens CRNA:

“Locum tenens has forced me to go beyond my comfort zone, leading to tremendous growth.”

Rebekah, CRNA

Common Myths & Misconceptions About Working Locum Tenens

Locum tenens is a career path for all stages of practice, not just those nearing retirement.

Myth #1:

Locum Tenens is Only for Semi-Retired Doctors.

flip to learn more

False. Locum tenens is a career path for all stages of practice, not just those nearing retirement.

  • Early-career? Gain valuable clinical experience and explore different specialties.
  • Mid-career? Expand your skill set, work in diverse settings, and increase earnings.
  • Semi-retired? Continue practicing on a flexible schedule without administrative burdens.

Locum work is adaptable, making it a viable, fulfilling option at any career stage.

locum tenens offers consistent job opportunities and competitive compensation.

Myth #2:

Locum Tenens Doesn't Provide Stability or Reliable Income.

flip to learn more

Not true. With ongoing physician shortages and increasing demand for providers, locum tenens offers consistent job opportunities and competitive compensation.

  • Long-term assignments provide stability for those who prefer consistency.
  • Short-term contracts offer higher hourly rates and flexible scheduling.

With high demand nationwide, locum tenens can be a stable, financially rewarding career choice.

While many providers use locum work to explore new places, you can also find assignments close to home.

Myth #3:

Locum Tenens is Only for Those Who Want to Travel.

flip to learn more

Incorrect. While many providers use locum work to explore new places, you can also find assignments close to home.

  • Prefer to stay local? Work in your own community without committing to a permanent role.
  • Looking to explore? Take assignments in rural or urban areas across the country.

Locum tenens gives you control over where and how you work, whether near home or on the road.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Step 2: Partner with a Reputable Locum Tenens Agency

Step 3: Find an Assignment

Step 4: Complete Licensing & Credentialing

Step 5: Start Your First Assignment

The Perks of Partnering With a Locum Tenens Agency

Working with a locum tenens agency removes the stress of job searching, paperwork, and negotiations, so you can focus on what matters most: patient care.

Hassle-Free Locum Tenens Job Matching

Hassle-Free Job Matching

Agencies connect you with the opportunities you're looking for, so you don't have to deal with the job hunt.

Licensing & Credentialing Locum Tenens Assistance

Licensing & Credentialing Assistance

Avoid the paperwork; locum agencies assist with state medical licensing, credentialing, and compliance to get you working faster.

Malpractice Insurance Coverage

Malpractice Insurance Coverage

Most agencies will provide comprehensive malpractice insurance, eliminating the need for personal policies.

Dedicated Locum Tenens Recruiter Support

Dedicated Recruiter Support

When partnering with an agency, your healthcare recruiter will assist with scheduling and logistics, and advocate on your behalf to ensure a smooth locum assignment from start to finish.

The Benefits of Working with Medicus

There are many benefits to working locums, but partnering with a trusted locum tenens agency helps you maximize every opportunity. At Medicus, we focus on your career goals, providing the support and resources to help you make the most out of every locum tenens assignment.

Exclusive Rewards - Nationwide Reach - Locum Tenens

Loyalty Rewards & Benefits

When you partner with Medicus for your locum tenens career, you gain access to unique benefits and rewards through the MyMedicus Loyalty Program.

Nationwide Reach - Locum Tenens

Nationwide Reach

 Gain access to exclusive locum assignments with healthcare employers across the U.S.

Tailored Job Matching - Nationwide Reach - Locum Tenens

Tailored Locum Job Matching

Choose from locum tenens jobs that align with your career goals and lifestyle preferences.

Dedicated Support - Locum Tenens

Personalized Support

From the start of your locum tenens assignment to the end, we manage the logistics so you can focus on delivering patient care. 

Locum Tenens Testimonials

What Physicians & Advanced Practitioner are Saying about Medicus

“Medicus does an excellent job responding to VA needs. They provide qualified candidates and follow up with onboarding and scheduling in a timely manner. I never have to worry about performance or positions getting filled when working with this contractor.”

Contracting Officer at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

"The Medicus Transition Program helped us preserve the program and continue patient care with minimal to no diversion. By partnering with Medicus, we had the opportunity to work with a team that was 100% devoted to us. They streamlined communication and efficiency, allowing my recruitment team to focus on recruiting permanent providers, while Medicus focused on providers for temporary coverage."

Chief Operating Officer

“My recruiter is always professional, with prompt and respectful communication during all of my interactions as a physician. I have recommended numerous colleagues to join Medicus as a locum tenens physician due to the performance and professionalism displayed by everyone I work with. I have worked with many locum companies over the years, but my Medicus team ensures that I will continue to work with Medicus due to the outstanding service that they have provided.”

Anesthesiology Locum Tenens Physician

Find Your Perfect Locum Tenens Assignment

View our exclusive locum jobs across a variety of specialties, with opportunities available nationwide.
Northeast Region Southeast Region Midwest Region Southwest Region West Region

Frequently Asked Questions about the Locum Tenens Lifestyle

Can You Work Full-Time and Locum Tenens?

What Does the Licensing Process Look Like for Locums?

Is Malpractice Coverage Offered When Working Locum Tenens?

How Long Do Locum Tenens Assignments Last?

What is the Difference Between Locum Tenens and Per Diem?

What Does the Term Moonlighting Mean?

Common Locum Tenens Terms

If you are working as a locum tenens physician or advanced practitioner, you’ll come across industry-specific words and phrases that are helpful to know. Here are some key terms to know:

Assignment: The period of time during which a locum is contracted to work at a healthcare facility.

Moonlighting: Working extra shifts outside of a full-time position.

Independent Contractor or 1099 Contractor: Locum tenens are considered independent contractors or 1099 contractors, meaning you are neither an employee of the agency nor the facility you're working at.

National Association of Locum Tenens Organization (NALTO): NALTO is a professional association that sets industry standards for locum tenens staffing agencies. When working locum tenens, choosing a NALTO-member agency ensures a commitment to ethical business practices, transparent contracts, fair pay, and proper credentialing. NALTO helps protect both clinicians and healthcare facilities by upholding these standards. Medicus is a proud NALTO member.

Pay Rate: The hourly, daily, or shift-based rate at which you are paid for your work.

View our exclusive locum job openings. Get your locum tenens career started.

Make the Switch to Medicus

Fill out the form below, and we'll connect you with a dedicated locum tenen recruiter.

By providing your information through this form, you agree that our team may contact you via SMS, MMS, email, or phone, as detailed in the Medicus Healthcare Solutions privacy policy.