For those unfamiliar with the phrase, locum tenens means “temporary work” in Latin. It’s commonly used in the healthcare sector to refer to medical practitioners who work in place of full-time physicians or fill in any staffing gaps. They’re increasingly becoming common in the industry and an attractive prospect to both seasoned and new doctors, thanks to the benefits they offer that traditional careers lack. In this post, we’ll cover some of the reasons why you should consider working as one too.
1. Avoid burnout
Many doctors enjoy interacting with and treating patients. However, the unreasonably long hours, phone calls and digital correspondence after work, and all the administrative tasks can take a toll. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for most healthcare professionals to end up stressed and burned out. Opting for a locum tenens lifestyle, you’ll give yourself the control you need to ensure that your schedule is ideal for work-life equilibrium.
Additionally, you’ll keep non-clinical tasks at a minimum by working with a physician recruiter. In doing so, you’ll be able to focus more on practicing medicine instead of paperwork like billing.
2. Opportunity to test work
Not all medical practitioners are prepared to immediately settle into permanent roles and working environments right out of their residencies. Through locum tenens, you won’t have to, because it presents physicians with the opportunity to test different facilities before choosing to settle down with one. Those who enjoy traveling won’t have to be stuck in a single place forever either; you can essentially take on different assignments if you so choose.
3. Earn more money
Money will always be a factor in any profession, and the healthcare industry is no exception. Whether it’s paying off student loans, funding a private practice, or saving up for retirement, there will always be a need for more money. And with locum tenens, you can supplement your existing income to achieve your financial goals much more straightforwardly. By taking up more assignments, you’ll be able to earn the money you need more than sticking to a traditional career would.
4. A learning experience
Taking temporary assignments means you can have more time for yourself. However, it comes with the added benefit of learning more and improving as a doctor. Being exposed to many different healthcare facilities and environments, patient populations, peers in various areas of expertise, and cases will broaden your knowledge and make you better than you would have been without. In other words, you’ll be able to improve in ways you wouldn’t have thought possible because every assignment will give you a unique learning experience that a regular career in medicine can’t provide.
Conclusion
It isn’t hard to see why locum tenens is growing in popularity in the healthcare industry. After all, it helps healthcare practitioners minimize stress and avoid burning out, gives them the opportunity to travel and test out new working environments, helps them earn more money, and offers unique experiences that will enable them to improve as doctors. So try working in locums if you’re interested.
