Making it as a locum tenens professional comes down to preparation and smart choices. When you’re jumping between temporary medical positions, filling critical gaps wherever they exist, having your act together makes all the difference. The work is rewarding but demanding—one day you’re in a bustling urban ER, the next you might find yourself as the only physician in a small-town clinic.
Understanding the Locum Landscape
Before diving into finding locum tenens work, get crystal clear on what you want from locum work. Some physicians chase the higher hourly rates and tax advantages. Others love the variety or want to escape office politics that plague permanent positions.
Demand varies wildly by specialty and location. Emergency medicine, psychiatry, and hospitalist roles consistently need coverage. Rural areas often pay premium rates because they struggle to attract permanent staff. Urban markets offer more opportunities but also more competition. Research your specialty’s market thoroughly before committing.
Your Digital Command Center
Success requires staying connected and organized across multiple assignments and time zones. Your smartphone becomes your office, so invest in a quality device with reliable data service.
Doximity remains the gold standard for physician networking. Many recruiters actively scout the platform for available physicians. LinkedIn works well for nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Calendar management becomes critical when juggling assignment offers, travel schedules, and credentialing deadlines. Google Calendar prevents double-booking disasters. Set reminders for license renewals months in advance—expired credentials kill great assignments.
Cloud storage is essential for document management. Having instant access to your CV/resume, licenses, certifications, and references from anywhere saves countless hours. Scan everything and organize it logically.
Don’t overlook security. A quality VPN service protects your information when using public hospital Wi-Fi networks.
Landing Assignments
Finding great opportunities requires hustle and strategy. Passive job hunting doesn’t work—you need to actively build relationships and maintain visibility.
Multiple agency relationships are non-negotiable. Each staffing company has different hospital clients and assignment types. Be transparent about partnerships to avoid conflicts.
Geographic flexibility dramatically increases opportunities and earning potential. Rural assignments might seem unappealing, but compensation often exceeds urban rates by 30-40%. Plus, practicing in resource-limited settings makes you stronger.
Response time separates successful locum physicians from struggling ones. When recruiters call about urgent assignments, they’re working through candidate lists. Being first to respond with enthusiasm often clinches the deal.
Professional conferences offer excellent networking opportunities. Hospital administrators attend specifically to recruit temporary staff. Have business cards ready and practice your elevator pitch.
Mastering Credentialing and Licensing
The administrative side intimidates many physicians, but it’s manageable with planning. Each state maintains different licensing requirements, processing times, and fees. Some offer expedited licensing for locum physicians—research these options early.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact streamlines multi-state licensing for qualified physicians. Currently covering over 30 states, it reduces paperwork and processing time significantly. Check eligibility even if you don’t immediately need it.
Credentialing typically takes 60-90 days minimum, sometimes longer during busy periods. Start immediately upon assignment acceptance. Delays cost money and damage agency relationships.
Malpractice insurance requires careful consideration. Some assignments include coverage, others require your own. Tail coverage becomes crucial when switching policies frequently. Work with brokers experienced in locum coverage to avoid gaps.
Maintaining Balance
The locum lifestyle offers tremendous freedom but demands discipline. Without permanent position structure, it’s easy to overwork or underwork. Neither serves long-term interests.
Travel logistics consume more time and energy than anticipated. Flight delays, rental car issues, and unfamiliar accommodations create stress. Build buffer time and maintain backup plans.
Financial planning becomes complex with irregular income and multiple tax jurisdictions. Many benefit from quarterly estimated tax payments and professional accounting help. Higher gross income can mislead if you’re not accounting for travel expenses and unpaid time between assignments.
Personal relationships require extra attention when frequently traveling. Maintain regular communication with family and friends. Consider assignments near people you want to visit—combining work with personal trips makes the lifestyle more sustainable.
The freedom and variety of locum work attracts independent-minded healthcare professionals, but success requires preparation, professionalism, and persistence. Master these fundamentals, and you’ll find this career path both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.