Locum tenens, in simple terms, is substituting or taking someone’s place. In the healthcare industry, locum tenens refers to working as a substitute for a medical practitioner who may be unable to work temporarily in a specific facility for different reasons. If you consider locum tenens as your career, you open yourself up to countless opportunities to further your healthcare career. Many medical and healthcare facilities are short-staffed and need medical personnel to fill vacated positions, and you will never run out of options.
Because these are temporary positions, you can also expect more pay than regular facility workers. You are considered an independent contractor and are paid according to your hours in the facility. The job can last for a couple of weeks or months and may even extend for years. It all depends on the position you are filling and your arrangement with the facility.
If you find locum tenens interesting and are open to expanding your horizons, you can get the best assistance from locum tenens companies that provide you with the best options and suitable positions in different locations. Whether you’ve had years of experience in the field or you just completed your residency, excellent benefits are waiting for you with locum tenens. Here are some of them.
1. It offers opportunities to learn more
Locum tenens offers opportunities to learn more about your specific field. Since your work takes you to different medical facilities, you may find varying techniques and practices that are new to you. You also have the chance to practice with other medical professionals who offer fresh ideas that may prove valuable to you. The experience you gain as a locum tenens worker increases your knowledge, allowing you to grow in your chosen career and work with the medical equipment you have never tried before. Additionally, you are introduced to new techniques that further enhance your knowledge.
2. You have a more flexible schedule
For healthcare professionals who have chosen locum tenens work, the flexible schedule is one of the most attractive benefits. You have control over your schedule and may choose to work shifts and days that are most suitable for you. You can also work in separate facilities with your flexible schedule and experience something new to break your routine.
3. Your earnings are higher
Locum tenens work allows you to earn more than you would as a full-time healthcare provider in a specific facility. Because of the higher demand to fill positions in different locations, you can be offered higher wages. As a result, your hourly rates can be even more than that of a full-time medical practitioner. Salaries are flexible too, with some facilities offering more than others. With a locum tenens job, there are no fixed rates. The higher the demand, the more employers are willing to pay higher rates. As a result, you can choose a workplace most suitable to your requirements.
Locum tenens work is fulfilling because you can focus more on your patients and provide them with the care they need. In addition, you need not worry about administrative affairs. Instead, your primary concern is your patients and how to facilitate their recovery.
