If you’ve worked in the healthcare industry for years, you’ve likely heard of the term locum tenens. A Latin phrase that means holding a place, it essentially refers to a temporary position that medical professionals, especially advanced clinical practitioners, fill to cover staffing gaps. The lifestyle is slowly growing in popularity, thanks in no small part to its benefits, including but not necessarily limited to flexibility in scheduling and opportunities to gain more experience in various healthcare environments.
In this article, we’ll discuss why more and more healthcare professionals are choosing locum tenens work and why you should consider doing the same and working with reputable locum tenens companies. Continue reading if you want to learn more.
Financial advantages
Most locum tenens providers generally make higher hourly rates than hospital-employed, full-time, permanent clinicians. By choosing to work in locums, not only will you be taxed similarly to independent contractors and have many of your expenses written off, but you’ll also have opportunities to make more money than you otherwise would have. And this applies regardless of whether you’ve only begun your career or are a seasoned professional. So if you’re looking for a way to clear your student loans, fund a private practice, or save up for that vacation you’ve always wanted, try locum tenens work.
Travel freedom
Locum tenens practitioners have the opportunity to explore different locations, get to know new people, and experience many new things because their assignments can take them to many places. Those looking to practice medicine in different working environments and enjoy various recreational and cultural opportunities in the country are recommended to work in locums because the lifestyle can accommodate travel freedom.
Reduced administrative duties
For many healthcare professionals, the greatest challenge is dealing with hospital politics and administrative and bureaucratic headaches. After all, they take away valuable time from the practice of medicine and their patients. And in some cases, they even result in burnout. However, if you’re working in locums, you’ll have reduced administrative responsibilities. In addition, because you won’t have to deal with so many staffing management concerns, billing issues, and coding concerns, you’ll be able to spend time engaging with your patients and doing what you’ve worked so hard on in school.As a result, you’ll have greater job satisfaction and make the work more rewarding. Moreover, you’ll experience less stress than you would have had in a more traditional medical career path.
Schedule flexibility
Time is a precious but rare commodity when working in the healthcare sector. As we all know, achieving an excellent balance of work and life is key to success and happiness. Through locum tenens, medical practitioners can have an equilibrium of their professional and personal lives, offering professionals greater control and flexibility regarding their schedules.
Bottom line
Whether you’re looking for opportunities to increase your income or are fresh out of your residency and trying to gain as much experience as possible, it’s worth considering locum tenens. By taking on locum tenens work, you’ll stand to earn more, have freedom of travel, minimal administrative work, and achieve the desired work-life balance.