What Is Locum Tenens? A Complete Guide for Physicians and Facilities

7/23/25, 10:25 AM

Learn what locum tenens means, how it works, and its benefits for physicians and healthcare facilities in this complete guide to temporary medical staffing.

In the constantly changing healthcare environment, the ability for customers to interface with technology must be efficient and flexible for both medical practitioners and facilities. Among the many terms you’ll encounter as you navigate the field of staffing is locum tenens. But what, exactly, is locum tenens? This locum tenens guide will provide a detailed explanation of what it is, its history, and how both physicians and healthcare organizations can benefit from it.

What Is Locum Tenens?

The term locum tenens is more literally translated as “to hold a place.” In healthcare, they're known as traveling doctors, nurse practitioners, or other healthcare professionals who work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices temporarily. In a nutshell, a locum doctor fills in when a usual provider is absent due to holiday, sickness, sabbatical, staff shortages, etc.

The term "locum tenens" was first coined in the United States in the 1970s to address rural physician deficits. It has since expanded into a multi-billion-dollar business offering temporary staffing on a national level. Today, thousands of medical professionals have discovered the freedom, flexibility, and economic benefits of working locum tenens.

How Does Locum Tenens Work?

If medical facilities encounter staffing shortages—whether due to high seasonal demand, physician burnout, or struggles in finding the right recruits—they may recruit locum tenens doctors. These are stop-gap providers that play a vital role in keeping patients in care when existing providers cannot meet demand.

A doctor can provide locum tenens coverage for a few days, a week, or a few months. Some assignments can be as long as a year or longer, depending on the facility's needs. Doctors sign up with staffing firms that focus on deploying locums. The agency handles licensing, credentialing, travel, housing, and compensation negotiations, making everything easy for you and the facility.

Why Physicians Choose Locum Tenens

Locum tenens work has several career and lifestyle benefits for many doctors:

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Locum doctors are in complete charge of their schedules, deciding when and where they work. Ideal for physicians nearing retirement, recent medical school graduates, or individuals seeking a career transition from full-time work.

Higher Earning Potential: Locum assignments are often more lucrative, with premium rates — occasionally even higher than those in permanent roles, particularly in sought-after specialties or rural settings. Since housing, travel, and malpractice insurance are often provided by the agency, many locum tenens providers come out ahead even further.

Travel and Exploration: Physicians who take locum jobs can visit various parts of the country, big cities, and small towns. This might be an attractive option for adventurous healthcare workers or those open to relocating.

Skill Development and Networking: They are exposed to a wide range of working environments in locum work, which can broaden their capabilities as clinical professionals and build their professional network. Locum tenens is an excellent opportunity for doctors who appreciate the challenge of learning new systems or serving unique populations.

Why Facilities Use Locum Tenens Providers

Hospitals also have advantages when it comes to locum tenens physicians.

Preventing Staffing Shortages: Hospitals and clinics can’t handle any gaps in coverage, particularly where it is most needed. "Locum tenens" physicians take over for vacationing, on maternity leave, or recruiting doctors.

Reducing Physician Burnout: Locum coverage also helps prevent the burnout of full-time local providers by alleviating some of their workload. This enables a better work-life balance, leading to improved staff retention overall.

Bridging the Hiring Gap: It can take months, and for some, even years, to recruit permanent physicians. By providing locum tenens providers, facilities can have an instant solution while keeping the hiring process open.

Trial Period for Physicians: Facilities can often use locum assignments as a “working interview.” This allows both the provider and the organization to determine if a long-term fit is possible before committing to a full-term hire.

Common Specialties in Locum Tenens

Locum tenens can be practiced in any medical specialty, but some specialties more commonly use locums because of staffing shortages:

Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Psychiatry
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Anesthesiology
Surgery
Hospitalist roles

Covered areas are also somewhat seasonal, with varying patient volumes, so that seasonal coverage will be imperative.

How to Get Started in Locum Tenens

The first consideration is getting started and connecting with a locum tenens staffing agency for doctors interested in becoming locum physicians. These agencies help providers:

· Identify suitable assignments
· Handle licensing across state lines
· Arrange travel and lodging
· Provide malpractice insurance
· Negotiate contracts and compensation

It’s easier if you partner with an agency, as it means you have sites and providers that are all in compliance.

Is Locum Tenens Right for You?

If you're a healthcare professional seeking more flexible work, extra earnings, or challenging clinical experiences, locum tenens may be the right career choice for you. Similarly, as a hospital that’s in need, these doctors can integrate seamlessly into your rotation and offer a high level of patient care without wearing out your permanent staff.

Whether you are a physician seeking freedom and flexibility or a facility needing to take on or provide coverage, understanding what locum tenens is and the process behind it is crucial for making an informed decision about your staffing needs. In the ever-changing world of healthcare, we consider locum tenens the innovative way to augment your workforce and provide quality patient care.

Final Thoughts

While the healthcare field continues to change, locum tenens services are essential for both physicians and facilities, as well as for patients in need of care. Now, at rural hospitals and in large urban health systems, it enables high-quality care, flexibility, and career advancement for providers. Whether you're exploring locum opportunities or need to staff your facility, today is the day to discover how locum tenens can work for you.