subject: Locum Tenens: Allowing for Flexibility and Freedom when Searching for Physician Jobs [print this page] Locum Tenens: Allowing for Flexibility and Freedom when Searching for Physician Jobs
With health care needs increasing annually, the demand for physicians nationwide is soaring. At the same time the cost of health care and maintaining a private practice is soaring as well (1). This makes for great economic conditions for locum tenens physicians, who serve as temporary physicians at medical facilities that are in need of qualified medical professionals. While many medical professionals are sometimes wary of temporary work, in fact locum tenens positions provide physicians with lots of opportunity and flexibility when searching for health care jobs.
Indeed, locum tenens physicians have the ability to experience various medical environments, with job opportunities popping up in almost every part of the nation. The positions needing to be filled at these facilities vary widely too, meaning that recent graduates, as well as trained professionals, can experience different medical environments without having to commit to something long term. This gives recent medical graduates flexibility in trying out new areas and skills, while also providing established medical professionals the freedom to try out physician jobs in new geographic and professional areas.
The incredible cost of maintaining a private practice is another reason why locum tenens positions are an increasingly popular choice for medical professionals of all kinds. Instead of expending the effort and cost of establishing or continuing a private medical practice, locum tenens physicians can find health care jobs across the country at positions where their effort and energy will focus almost entirely on the patient instead of administration. This can provide physicians who are burnt-out by the responsibilities of a private practice a fresh start at connecting with and caring for people.
The difficult economic conditions have also meant that previously retired and semi-retired physicians are in need of a few more years of work to ensure a comfortable future for themselves and their families. Locum tenens positions provide these skilled professionals with the physician jobs they're looking for, along with the flexible schedules that makes it comfortable to work on a part-time basis.
All this means that it's a great time to be a locum tenens physician. When looking for health care jobs in different parts of the country, in various medical fields, or on a flexible schedule, locum tenens positions allow physicians to work when they want and where they want. Moreover, with physician shortages across the country, especially in rural areas, locum tenens physicians provide needed and valuable services while being free to focus on their professional and personal needs as well, a winning situation for everyone involved.
