What Is Locum Tenens?
n., pl. locum te•nen•tes (tə-nĕn'tēz).
From the Medieval Latin word locum: accusative of locus, place + Latin tenēns, present participle of tenēre, to hold; Locum Tenens is a person – typically a physician — who substitutes temporarily for another.
”Locum tenens” is a term used to describe physicians and other healthcare providers who work in temporary positions at hospitals, clinics and medical practices across the United States. Initiated in the 1990’s and becoming increasingly popular as the demand for physicians has increased, locum tenens fill temporary vacancies created by vacations, medical and continuing medical education leaves, retirements, or newly-created positions. Over 30,000 physicians take on locum tenens assignments each year.
Whether you are a new physician, in career transition, or are close to retirement, you'll find the locum tenens life full of advantages. Physicians who have recently completed their residency or fellowship programs, for example, enjoy working as a locum tenens to expand their professional knowledge and gain the first-hand experience needed to make the best long term decisions.
Working as a locum is also a good way to pay off medical school loans more quickly. Think about it – working locum allows you to not only earn great money but it can also eliminate the burden of an everyday living expense called rent. By redirecting those funds into your student loans, you’ll be that much closer to being debt free.
More seasoned physicians like working locum for the flexibility it brings to their lives. A physician in career transition between permanent jobs could use a locum position to try out a number of positions before making a change. Or it could reignite the passion for practicing medicine for another physician who has never experienced work outside of the same hospital or medical practice. A locum position could also provide additional income to a doctor winding down a practice or allow a retired physician to work temporarily close to relatives in another part of the country. In these uncertain financial times, working locum is also an easy way to supplement a retirement account balance as well – even while on “vacation”.
So why take a locum tenens position? With all of the benefits, adventure and flexibility locum tenens provides, we think the question should be – why NOT? And you can feel comfortable turning to Advantage Locums to deliver all of the advantages the locum life offers. We have the staffing experience and hospital facility relationships needed to take you where YOU want to go.