Starting new work is usually a daunting and nerve-wracking experience. Having to fill a new position several times every year can even be more so, especially in healthcare. However, that’s what medical professionals like physicians and NPs working in locums do. While it comes with its fair share of challenges, the lifestyle’s advantages more than make up for it. And to ease the nerves of those planning on switching from a traditional career path to locum tenens, we’ll cover some of the benefits that it yields.
However, before we begin, let’s discuss what locum tenens is. Continue reading if you want to learn more.
Locum tenens: What is it?
Locum tenens comes from the Latin phrase that means holding a place. Work is all about medical experts who fill in temporary roles and positions to cover gaps in a facility in the medical field. While assignments can usually take anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks, it’s not uncommon for them to last several months. The locations can also vary and take place in various cities and states depending on the agreement with locum tenens companies.
What are its advantages?
Regardless of what your area of expertise is or how far you are into your career, the experience of working in locums can be as rewarding as it is valuable. So if it’s a career path that you’re interested in taking, here are some key advantages that it can yield.
- Financial. Most locum tenens workers usually make more per hour than hospital-employed, full-time physicians do. Unlike a regular employee, you’ll be taxed in the same way as independent contractors do, so many of the associated expenses will be taken out. No matter which point you are in your medical career, you’ll be able to take advantage of the financial benefits that it provides. For example, if you’ve only just begun, it can help you settle any school debts. If you plan on starting your private practice, the money you’ll earn as a locum tenens practitioner can fund it.
- Travel freedom. Apart from the financial rewards, the lifestyle of locum tenens workers enables them to travel and explore the country. Those who are interested in experiencing different locations, healthcare environments, recreational opportunities, and meeting new people, you’ll want to try out this career path.
- Drives down administrative work. There are a few fields as noble as medicine and healthcare. However, it’s also usually filled with hospital politics and bureaucracy. And this can cause physician burnout and prevent doctors from addressing the needs of their patients effectively. However, if you work in locums, you’ll avoid staffing management concerns, billing issues, coding work, and many others.
Conclusion
It comes as no surprise that an increasing number of medical specialists are opting for locum tenens work rather than a traditional career in medicine. After all, it presents them with much better opportunities than they would have gotten. And because demand is almost always high, there’s no fear of missing out on work.
