What is locum tenens?

Providing physician medical services whenever, wherever there's a need.

What is locum tenens?
Locum tenens, or temporary physician staffing, is a respected practice for physicians willing to work assignments of various lengths and settings, and is an alternative to holding permanent positions. Its wide acceptance has grown out of a need in the medical industry.

Due to the current and forecasted shortage of qualified physicians in almost every specialty, healthcare facilities of all types are dependent on locum tenens to operate with the skills and knowledge that they need to continue to provide quality healthcare services.

What causes physician staffing shortages?
Physician coverage can be affected by a number of reasons—vacation, illness, maternity and other types of leave. Another factor that increases demand for locum tenens is natural disasters or catastrophes where the permanent medical staff is overwhelmed by a larger than normal patient load.

Why do physicians choose to work locum tenens?
In addition to filling short- and long-term staffing shortages, working locum tenens provides physicians a full spectrum of professional opportunities in practice settings across the country.

Locum tenens physicians can choose to work in areas that are underserved or where they feel their skills can benefit the most patients. A major benefit to locum tenens is the experience of providing quality patient care in the communities that need it most.

Often temporary assignments result in the offer of a permanent position with the facility. Physicians who are interested in "trying before they buy" find that locum tenens is the perfect means of learning about the practice, its associates and the management style before making a permanent commitment.

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