After completing the grueling years of becoming a physician, the long work hours and mental exhaustion feel like they’re never going to end.
Chronic fatigue and feeling overwhelmed seem to be the norm — your work-life balance is truly out-of-balance.
So many days you come home from work and don’t have time for anything else, but you have student loans from medical school that have to get paid.
You took a permanent position in a great location, but never have time to explore. You feel stuck. Is this the way it will be for the rest of your career?
Later that week, you meet another provider who is working as a locum tenens physician and seems to be much less stressed. She even takes weeks off during the year between assignments. She told you she has significant loans to pay just like you, so what is the difference?
If you are a new physician embarking on your career or a newly retired physician who still has time to offer, is a locum tenens position right for you?
Read further to explore the options and opportunities.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Locum Tenens
- What Are the Key Differences Between Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions?
- 6 Benefits of Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions
- Potential Drawbacks of Locum Tenens Positions
- Pros and Cons of Permanent Positions
- Commonly Asked Questions About Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions
- Explore the Exciting Possibilities of Locum Tenens With Trusted Locum Staffing
Understanding Locum Tenens
Staffing challenges for healthcare systems, facilities, or private practices occur for all professional positions, including physicians.
Locum tenens positions exist for physicians and advanced practitioners to fill vacancies for temporary or permanent staffing shortages, and to enhance staffing when an increased demand for care occurs.
The shortage of physicians is growing, creating an increase in demand for physicians and advanced practice providers, and limiting access to care — particularly specialists.
What Are the Key Differences Between Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions?
At Trusted Locum Staffing, we specialize in bridging the gap between healthcare facilities and top-tier locum talent extending into the world of locum tenens.
Rather than working in one facility as a permanent employee, locum tenens physicians:
- Quickly fill a staffing need.
- Cover for physician absences or short-term staffing needs.
- Staff a facility in a cost-effective manner.
- Can be hired on a trial period before accepting a permanent position.
- Fill a position in a rural or challenging locale where hiring a permanent provider is difficult.
6 Benefits of Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions
Whether you are a seasoned provider looking for a change or a new residency graduate, you obviously have countless career paths from which to choose.
Some physicians pursue locum tenens work as a temporary or short-term assignment, as a “side gig” for additional income (perhaps to help pay off medical school), or as their permanent career path.
More recently, doctors have been having an increasingly difficult time deciding if they should take a permanent position in the medical field or pursue a permanently-temporary position
Keep reading for the great benefits of working as a locum tenens physician.
#1: Plenty of Flexibility
Locum tenens positions offer significant flexibility and are an ideal approach to find a schedule that best fits your personal and professional needs.
Whether you are a provider at the beginning, middle, or nearing the end of your career, locum tenens positions are available for any of your needs and choices.
Locum staffing can be a full-time job or working extra hours outside your regular job — regardless of the hours, you will always have complete control over your schedule.
Unlike being tied to a specific healthcare system or location, locum physicians choose their destinatio and hours.
Contact Trusted Locum Staffing to get your new and flexible career path started today.
#2: Ability To Explore Your Options
There are a huge number of locum tenens positions available at all levels of care settings, giving you endless placement options from which to choose.
Benefits to exploring your options include:
- You are not locked into one healthcare system.
- You can explore different places to live.
- This is not a permanent job if you are unsure of your career pathway.
- There are opportunities to add to your experience and practice modalities.
- Commitment times are based on each job assignment.
- You can explore different options of care settings, such as in the hospital, private practices, or satellite offices.
#3: Easier To Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Since you are aware of the expectations of the assignment, the commitment and hours required will not be a surprise.
You can choose the hours and timeframe that you would prefer to work — and when you prefer not to work.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is much easier to manage under these conditions.
#4: Higher Pay
Locum tenens provider positions are generously compensated with an average nationwide salary of over $300,000 annually.
Statistics report the average pay rate of a full-time locum tenens doctor is approximately $200-$250 per hour depending on practice experience and specialties.
#5: Opportunities To Travel
Opportunities exist all over the United States, allowing locum physicians and practitioners to not only enhance personal development but to travel to almost any region or locale imaginable.
Maybe you are not sure where you would like to settle down in your practice, or you just have a bucket list of places to visit.
Truly, there is no better way to explore cities, rural areas, or anywhere in between — all while earning a great paycheck.
Additionally, physicians connected with Trusted Locum Staffing receive assistance with travel expenses and personalized placement services to find the best assignment.
#6: Enhance Your Skills While Boosting Your Resume
Employment as a locum tenens physician may broaden your experience and knowledge with each assignment.
A key benefit of locum tenens work is the opportunity to sharpen your professional skills. Locum tenens assignments offer exposure to the myriad ways of practicing medicine and delivering care, and the potential to work with a variety of mentors.
Locum physicians have the great potential to tuck new skills, approaches, and best practice evidence into their repertoire with each new assignment rather than become stagnant in care.
Potential Drawbacks of Locum Tenens Positions
Of course, every job has pros and cons and this career approach is no different.
While there are a plethora of great aspects of locum tenens positions, drawbacks do exist:
- Locum tenens positions often become available on short notice, making it difficult to coordinate your schedule with any long-term plans at times.
- If you have a family and your job assignment requires frequent travel, it may have a negative impact on your family and relationships. This type of career approach may not be the best choice for you if you need to have expected and set hours.
- Elevated salaries and wages are a huge perk, but benefits are not. You can expect the cost of health and life insurance to be an out-of-pocket cost, along with retirement planning pursuits.
- Assignments vary.Some jobs will only require a few days and others may be months in length. Flexibility is a must.
- You may have to adapt your practice to your current healthcare system’s preferences or requirements — however, this may not be any different in a permanent position.
Pros and Cons of Permanent Positions
Both permanent placement and locum tenens options offer unique advantages and disadvantages, making it essential for doctors to understand what each entails before deciding.
Permanent positions do come with quite a few perks and benefits, but may not be for everyone. Choosing a position that is right for you may be dependent on your career and life goals.
Considering the following regarding permanent positions:
Pros
- Job security
- Guaranteed steady source of income
- Benefits such as health and life insurance, retirement plans, and more
- Career advancement opportunities within the healthcare system
- Increased ability to specialize in a particular field
Cons
- Feeling confined to one locale
- Potential for less autonomy and the pressure to conform to the policies of the employer
Commonly Asked Questions About Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Positions
Is There a Difference In Taxes?
As a locum tenens provider, it is anticipated that you will travel to healthcare facilities throughout the United States with multiple temporary assignments.
Since you are a traveling provider, you are not considered a full-time employee with any one company or healthcare system.
Instead, you are considered an independent contractor and are subcontracted to provide services for the healthcare client. Your earnings are reported on what is known as a Form-1099-NEC, which is different from the traditional W-2 that regular full-time employees are accustomed to receiving at the end of each year.
Considerations for taxes as a locum tenens provider:
- You will owe local, state, federal, and self-employment taxes, as these deductions are not taken from your paychecks.
- To be sure you have sufficient funds to cover your income taxes, setting aside approximately 40% of your pay is the general rule of thumb.
- You should pay your estimated taxes quarterly rather than a one-lump sum at the end of the year.
- If you decide not to pay estimated quarterly taxes or find you did not pay enough at the end of the year, you will be subject to a penalty when you file your annual tax return.
Are Locum Tenens Jobs Hard To Find?
Trusted Locum Staffing takes away the guesswork of finding job assignments.
Between offering 24/7 support and advocacy and personalized placement services, you can be sure that job assignments and new opportunities are right around the corner.
FAQ
Many physicians seeking locum work have similar questions and concerns. Some of the most frequent questions asked include:
- How long is the typical assignment?
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- Assignment times will vary but in general, they are approximately two weeks to two months in duration.
- Do I have to carry my own malpractice insurance?
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- Comprehensive malpractice insurance is essential and is provided by Trusted Locum Staffing.
- What facilities request locum tenens positions?
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- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private practices
- Urgent care facilities
- Long-term care facilities
Explore the Exciting Possibilities of Locum Tenens With Trusted Locum Staffing
Not all agencies function the same.
Our dedicated team offers comprehensive, high-touch support throughout your journey, ensuring every detail is meticulously managed.
With our white-glove service, you receive the best assignments tailored to your needs, allowing you to focus on what you do best — providing exceptional patient care.
We are dedicated to serving you with integrity, leadership, and passion as your locum tenens staffing agency.
Reach out to our team today!