10 Benefits of Locum Tenens Work

why locum tenens

Locum tenens work provides physicians with a temporary placement outside their own practice. One may work exclusively in a locum tenens position or use this to supplement another position. Here are 10 prime benefits of locum tenens work.

Freedom

Doing locum tenens work gives practitioners a level of freedom they’re unlikely to find in other employment opportunities. Two primary perks of this career path are that it gives physicians the freedom:

  • To travel: Physicians can pursue short-term locum tenens opportunities in different cities and states. This lets them travel for pay.
  • To choose your work location: Locum tenens physicians can explore a variety of work locations, from inner-city hospitals to rural physicians’ offices.

Convenient Scheduling

Working full time in the health care field, physicians often face long hours and inconvenient scheduling. This can quickly lead to burnout. Locum tenens work offers scheduling perks for:

  • Short-term placements: Physicians can pick up work on a short-term basis commitment-free. This means they don’t have to worry about giving notice or explaining their choice to leave if it’s not the right fit. Placements are always temporary.
  • Part-time work: Physicians can pick up part-time work to fill their free time during retirement, give them some extra money while stepping back to raise children, or supplement their full-time jobs. This is a flexible fit they can use for any reason.

Flexibility

Those who tend to shy away from long-term commitments will find locum tenens work has everything that they’re after. They’ll enjoy two great benefits associated with flexibility, including plentiful options:

  • With scheduling: Physicians can pick up as much or as little work as needed and take time off between placements for family vacations or simply downtime to recharge.
  • With the job: Locum tenens work offers lots of opportunities including in small clinics, large hospitals, multispecialty groups, and more. 

Powerful Post-Graduation Opportunities

New med school graduates are in the perfect position for locum tenens work. This type of career opportunity offers prime benefits like the chance to:

  • Sample career options: New physicians may not know exactly what type of environment suits them best. Locum tenens work provides a risk-free way to try out different options and find the right fit.
  • Pay off student debt: Physicians can pick up locum tenens work alongside their full-time jobs for some extra earning opportunities. This is a great way to pay off student debt fast.

Enjoyable Specialization

Working in a locum tenens setting provides the opportunity to focus on the type of work enjoyed most. This means that physicians can prioritize working:

  • In particular areas: Physicians can specialize in rural clinics, urban practices, or other specialty areas through locum tenens positions.
  • In clinical duties: Locum tenens physicians focus on clinical work and don’t deal with the same administrative tasks as staff physicians.

Physicians who are interested in exploring the options available with locum tenens work can check out the latest listings via placement companies like The Talent Society. This company helps connect physicians with the workplaces that need them so both parties can find the perfect fit.