A popular option for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants, locum tenens work involves working on a temporary basis in hospitals and medical facilities to help to fill a staffing need. Though you may not have heard of it before, locum tenens is becoming an increasingly widespread choice for those who want a different kind of medical career – one with flexibility and opportunities.
If you work in the medical field, locum tenens work may offer you a terrific alternative to working in the same hospital or medical practice during your career. Here are the biggest benefits of choosing locum tenens work.
A Hassle-Free Career
If you choose locum tenens positions, your job will be free of your biggest worries. You won’t have to deal with any teaching or administrative duties, staff management problems, or billing and coding. This characteristic of locum tenens jobs makes them ideal if you want to practice medicine without the associated hassles.
Since you’re able to choose the jobs you want to work, you have much greater flexibility with your duties and schedule. You can decide when and where you will work, and you can leave a hospital or medical practice at any time if you dislike the job. Locum tenens jobs also offer you more control over your time. When you’re off work, you’ll truly be off – there’s no need to worry about what’s happening at the hospital or medical practice where your locum tenens job is located.
Have the Luxury of Travel
One benefit of locum tenens jobs is the ability to travel with a purpose. As a medical worker, you’ll be able to help people who live in communities all over the U.S. This benefit of locum tenens work may appeal to young doctors who are just starting out, or even older doctors who want to experience other areas of the country before retiring. Recently, an increasing number of doctors who are in the middle of their careers are also turning to locum tenens work because they can control how much and where they work.
Locum tenens jobs allow you to travel across the U.S. and around the world. In addition to domestic assignments, there are many available locum tenens positions in other countries. This ability to travel is a major draw of locum tenens work because it can enrich your life both professionally and personally.
Locum Tenens Fights Job Burnout
In the health care industry, burnout is a large concern. Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are experiencing burnout at increasing rates. Many medical professionals are dissatisfied with balancing their careers and their lives. Choosing locum tenens jobs can help combat your potential burnout. You choose when you work as well as how often you work. This can help you to focus on offering your patients the care they need without feeling burned out by the demands of your job.
An Excellent Way to Sample Different Positions
If you’re just starting out as a doctor, beginning your career in medicine by doing locum tenens work is a great choice. You may have the opportunity to try out a variety of different positions, including hospital practices, multi-specialty groups, rural, solo and urban practices. Choosing to work as a locum tenens doctor will allow you to try a variety of different lifestyles in different locations before you ultimately decide the practice type you want and the area in which you will settle.
Locum tenens work allows you to figure out which career path in the medical field is the right one for you. When you reach your post-residency years, locum tenens work can help you to have control over how many hours that you work and to have more control over your job and your life. With locum tenens work, you may be able to find your ultimate career path. Alternatively, you might also find that you love the freedom that this type of medical work can provide to you and choose to continue as a locum professional indefinitely.
How to Find Locum Tenens Positions
The flexibility and freedom of locum tenens medical work are major benefits that attract many medical professionals. If you enjoy traveling and don’t want to be stuck in one area of the medical field, this type of work is an ideal choice for you. It’s also a terrific option for doctors and other medical professionals who want to control their own schedule. Choosing locum tenens work lets you call the shots, giving you great flexibility.
To get started, you just need to find open locum tenens positions. You can easily search for these great jobs online. An online search will show you where different locum tenens positions are available, what different options there are, and allow you to compare different openings. Few people know just how many locum tenens positions are waiting online!
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
