Locum tenens, often referred to as “Doctor Locum” roles, present a significant opportunity for physicians seeking to diversify their careers, augment their income, or gain experience in varied medical environments. It’s estimated that a substantial portion of physicians have engaged in doctor locum work at some point, yet many may still be unaware of the vast possibilities this career path offers. This guide serves as your comprehensive introduction to the world of doctor locum.
illustration – locum tenens 101 for physicians
Doctor Locum Roles for Every Career Stage
Think of doctor locum physicians as the medical field’s equivalent of substitute teachers, stepping in to ensure continuity of care. Originating in the 1970s to address staffing shortages in underserved areas of the western U.S., the doctor locum industry has since flourished into a nationwide solution, offering both healthcare facilities and physicians versatile options. Increasingly, doctors are choosing doctor locum roles for the enhanced flexibility and control they provide over their professional and personal lives.
Illustration – locum tenens career stage
Doctor Locum for New Physician Graduates: Explore Locations, Manage Student Loans, Evaluate Career Paths
For physicians fresh out of residency, doctor locum tenens is proving to be an excellent avenue to explore diverse facilities and geographic locations. Dr. Andrew Wilner, a locum physician and author of The Locum Life: A Physician’s Guide to Locum Tenens, notes that newly graduated physicians prioritize refining their clinical skills, swiftly repaying student debt, and carefully evaluating employment options before committing to a long-term contract. Doctor locum assignments effectively address these priorities.
Doctor Locum for Mid-Career Physicians: Enhance Income, Transition to New Careers, Financial Stability
Mid-career physicians often utilize doctor locum work to supplement their income. Life events such as purchasing a new home, managing student debt, or raising children can strain household budgets. Doctor locum opportunities can provide a financial buffer when expenses exceed regular income. Furthermore, for mid-career physicians considering a shift away from clinical practice, doctor locum roles can serve as a financial bridge, offering income while they explore and establish themselves in non-clinical careers.
Doctor Locum for Late-Career Physicians: Maintain Skills, Phased Retirement, Continued Contribution
Physicians in their late careers, like Dr. Wilner himself, find doctor locum tenens a way to maintain their professional identity even when stepping back from full-time academic positions. It’s also ideal for physicians who are not yet ready for full retirement but wish to reduce their hours or change their work environment. Doctor locum roles allow experienced physicians to continue contributing to patient care and healthcare facilities benefit from their expertise, ensuring skills remain in practice and patients receive quality care.
Doctor Locum as an Independent Contractor: Financial and Tax Implications
Doctor locum providers operate as independent contractors. This means they are responsible for managing their own taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions. Unlike traditional employment, taxes are not automatically deducted from a doctor locum physician’s compensation. They must make quarterly estimated income tax payments and handle their own benefits.
Neurologist Dr. Simrah Singh emphasizes the importance of financial diligence in doctor locum work. She viewed it as a learning opportunity, taking charge of her health insurance through the healthcare marketplace and utilizing the tax advantages available to independent contractors. She highlights that while it requires more personal management, it’s manageable, especially with the help of an accountant.
Experienced doctor locum physicians often recommend consulting with an accountant to fully understand and leverage the tax benefits available to independent contractors. These can include deductions for business travel, meals, continuing medical education (CME), equipment, lodging, and home office expenses.
Dr Patel pull quote about working with a locums agency
Leveraging a Doctor Locum Tenens Agency for Your Career
While physicians can independently seek and secure doctor locum positions, those with experience often highlight the advantages of partnering with a doctor locum tenens agency, particularly for those starting out or working part-time.
Emergency medicine physician Dr. Rip Patel notes, “If you’ll end up working doctor locum part time, I would say working with an agency is nice because they make sure everything is set up on time, such as travel and housing arrangements. This way, you’ll be all set before you start to work on your first shift.” Agencies streamline the process, handling logistics and allowing physicians to focus on patient care.
Illustration – tips when choosing locum agency
How to Choose the Best Doctor Locum Tenens Agency
Selecting the right doctor locum tenens agency is crucial for a smooth and successful experience. An ideal agency should have the resources to not only find suitable assignments but also support physicians throughout their placements.
Key questions to consider when evaluating a doctor locum tenens agency and recruiter include:
- Job Opportunities: Does the agency offer a wide range of assignments to choose from?
- Flexibility: Can you work as much or as little as you prefer, fitting assignments into your schedule?
- Recruiter Comfort: Do you feel comfortable communicating and working with the recruiter?
- Long-Term Relationship: Can you envision building a lasting professional relationship with this recruiter?
- Recruiter Understanding: Does the recruiter genuinely understand your needs and prioritize your interests?
Dr. Patel advises prospective doctor locum physicians to choose an agency and recruiter with significant experience and a strong track record. He states, “Going with an agency that is experienced and an agent who’s experienced makes a world of difference,” emphasizing the value of expertise in navigating the doctor locum landscape.
Understanding Doctor Locum Tenens Pay Rates and Compensation
Doctor locum tenens pay, like many professions, is influenced by various factors. Rates can fluctuate based on medical specialty, geographic location, the type of shift (day, night, weekend), and patient load. A doctor locum agency can be instrumental in negotiating pay rates as well as other assignment details such as shift preferences, housing arrangements, and per diem allowances.
Doctor locum physicians are typically paid directly by the agency on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, depending on the agency’s pay cycle.
Beyond the hourly rate, doctor locum agencies generally cover additional expenses. These often include housing, transportation costs, medical malpractice insurance, and expenses associated with state licensing, credentialing, and hospital privileging processes. These benefits significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for doctor locum physicians.
Finding the Ideal Doctor Locum Assignment for Your Needs
When selecting a doctor locum tenens assignment, several primary factors should be considered to ensure it aligns with your professional and personal goals.
Key considerations include:
- Location: Do you prefer urban or rural settings? Are you interested in exploring a new state or region?
- Pay: Does the compensation meet your financial expectations and needs?
- Case Mix: Are you looking to broaden your experience with different types of cases or patient populations?
- Patient Volume: Do you prefer a fast-paced, high-volume environment or a more moderate pace?
- Time Commitment: Does the assignment duration fit your availability and desired work-life balance?
Experienced locum pediatrician Dr. Trevor Cabrera suggests asking a critical question when evaluating assignments: “My favorite question to ask is why the facility needs a locum provider in the first place,” he explains. Understanding the reason behind the need for a locum physician can provide valuable insights into the assignment’s potential challenges and rewards. He is less concerned if the need is for standard coverage like maternity leave, but more cautious if there’s a pattern of frequent turnover.
Dr. Cabrera also recommends speaking with current locum physicians at the facility, if possible, to gain additional perspectives on the work environment and assignment specifics. Direct feedback from peers can offer invaluable insights.
Exploring International Doctor Locum Tenens Opportunities
For physicians with a sense of adventure, international doctor locum assignments offer a unique blend of professional experience and cultural immersion. These opportunities allow doctors to provide needed medical care while experiencing life in another country. Many doctor locum physicians use international assignments as a chance to live like locals and travel extensively before, during, and after their work periods.
However, international assignments come with important considerations:
- Commitment Length: How long are you willing to commit to living abroad?
- Family Accompaniment: Will family members join you, and are the logistics feasible?
- Pet Considerations: If you have pets, will you bring them or arrange care at home?
- Cultural Adaptability: Are you comfortable living in new and potentially unfamiliar cultures?
- Lifestyle Preference: Does the idea of living like a local in a different country appeal to you?
For more detailed information and advice on navigating international doctor locum assignments, resources like Global Medical’s beginner’s guide can be invaluable.
Doctor Locum Tenens: A Pathway to Career Advancement and Professional Growth
Doctor locum tenens can be a strategic career move, offering pathways to professional goals that may feel limited in a permanent position.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov views doctor locum work as a strategic opportunity to experience diverse medical settings and gain exposure to varied approaches in medical practice. He points out that in permanent positions, especially early in a career, physicians may become specialized in a narrow niche.
Dr Kusnezov pull quote about benefits of locums
“Doctor locum offers the potential to selectively diversify and control the scope of your practice and thereby increase your professional experience and skill set,” Dr. Kusnezov explains. He emphasizes that medicine is constantly evolving, and doctor locum roles expose physicians to a variety of settings, medical teams, and innovative concepts in diagnosis and treatment, keeping them sharp, relevant, and updated with the latest medical advancements.
Doctor Locum Success Stories: Real Experiences from Practicing Physicians
The experiences and opportunities within doctor locum tenens are as diverse as the physicians who choose this career path.
Dr. James Stone was drawn to doctor locum for its autonomy and flexibility, quickly embracing it as a full-time career. “I wanted to be on my own. I was looking to be my own boss and get the opportunity to travel,” Dr. Stone shares. He committed fully, networking within the industry and accepting almost every assignment offered, demonstrating the potential for a thriving full-time doctor locum career.
Dr. Chad Koyanagi, a psychiatrist in Hawaii, balances his state Medicaid position, private hospital work, and medical outreach with part-time doctor locum work in rural Hawaii. He dedicates one week per month to this, fulfilling his commitment to addressing healthcare shortages in underserved rural areas.
Dr. Colin Zhu, a family practice osteopath with a holistic approach to medicine and passions for culinary arts and travel, uses doctor locum tenens to integrate these passions into his career. “Doctor locum tenens allows me the freedom and autonomy to be able to dictate the type of lifestyle and work/life balance I seek personally,” Dr. Zhu states. This flexibility enables him to pursue his interests while maintaining a fulfilling medical career.
Illustration – tips for successful locum tenens experience
Essential Tips for Success in Your Doctor Locum Tenens Career
Doctor locum tenens can be a rewarding career path, offering exciting and novel opportunities. However, new experiences can also bring uncertainty. Here are key tips from seasoned doctor locum physicians to help ensure your success:
Clear Communication: Defining and Communicating Your Preferences to Your Recruiter
Dr. RK Devlin stresses the importance of clear communication. “The first step to ensuring a positive doctor locum tenens experience is to clearly communicate your practice and travel preferences to your recruiter,” he advises. Being honest about your desired type and amount of work allows your recruiter to find assignments that genuinely match your expectations.
Openness to New Experiences: Embracing Learning and New Environments in Locum Roles
Dr. Devlin also encourages new doctor locum physicians to approach each assignment with an open mind and a curious attitude. “While there is always a bit of anxiety when navigating a new environment, I mostly find doctor locum work to be both interesting and educational. I like learning about patient care in different medical settings and establishing new friendships,” he shares.
Organization is Key: Managing Paperwork and Logistics for Doctor Locum Assignments
Doctor locum assignments involve managing numerous details and paperwork. Dr. Mayre McCroskye offers advice on staying organized. “You will have paperwork to complete for each doctor locum assignment, but it doesn’t have to be painful if you have all the information you need at your virtual fingertips. And the opportunities that doctor locum provides are well worth the work!” she emphasizes.
Professionalism and Positivity: Building Strong Relationships in Temporary Doctor Roles
Among all advice for doctor locum success, Dr. Patel prioritizes a simple principle: “Be nice. Seriously. It’s really just that simple. Be nice to your staff, be nice to your colleagues, and try your best to be nice to consultants.” He highlights that a positive attitude and professional courtesy can significantly enhance your doctor locum experience, making shifts smoother and fostering positive working relationships even in temporary settings.
Do you have further questions about doctor locum tenens? Click below to email us!
