What is Locum Tenens?: A Practical Guide for Physicians and Healthcare Organizations

Doctor Smiling
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Locum tenens—Latin for “to hold the place”—refers to the practice of physicians and advanced practitioners filling in temporarily at healthcare facilities. Originally intended to cover staffing gaps, this model has grown into a mainstream solution that benefits both providers and the organizations that depend on them.

In today’s healthcare landscape, locum tenens is more than just a backup plan. It’s a flexible, rewarding career path for clinicians and a vital workforce solution for healthcare organizations.


How Locum Tenens Works

Locum tenens providers are engaged on a temporary basis to support patient care during times of increased need, such as:

  • Vacation or medical leave coverage
  • Recruitment gaps
  • Seasonal demand
  • Facility expansion

Assignments may last a few days, several weeks, or multiple months, and can be on-site or remote (telehealth). Providers are typically contracted through a locum tenens firm, which usually handles recruitment, credentialing, malpractice insurance, and travel logistics.

Who Uses Locum Tenens Providers?

Healthcare facilities of all types rely on locum tenens, including:

  • Hospitals and health systems
  • Medical groups and outpatient clinics
  • Rural and underserved communities
  • Government agencies (e.g., VA, IHS, correctional health)
  • Telemedicine platforms

These organizations benefit from rapid access to qualified providers without long-term commitments, ensuring continuity of care and avoiding service disruptions.

Why Physicians Choose Locum Tenens

Clinicians choose locum tenens work for a wide variety of reasons:

Flexibility and Autonomy

Work when, where, and how you want. Locums lets you design your ideal schedule—whether part-time, full-time, or seasonal.

Income Diversification

Many physicians take locum assignments to earn additional income on top of a full-time role, pay down student debt, or fund other life goals.

Practice Variety

Explore different clinical environments, patient populations, and geographic locations—great for skill-building or career transitions.

Career Transitions

Ideal for bridging gaps between permanent jobs, easing into retirement, or gaining exposure before relocating or launching a private practice.

Reduced Administrative Burden

Focus on patient care while the locum firm handles logistics, malpractice coverage, and negotiations.

What Specialties Work Locum Tenens?

Opportunities exist across nearly all specialties, but some are in especially high demand:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Anesthesiology
  • Hospitalist and Internal Medicine
  • Family and Primary Care
  • Radiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

Do You Need a License in Each State?

Yes. Providers must hold an active license in the state where the assignment takes place. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) also offers a streamlined path for multi-state licensure in certain states. Learn more: IMLC Website

Getting Started

Partnering with a reputable locum tenens firm is the easiest way to get started. At MDstaffers, we:

  • Match clinicians with tailored opportunities
  • Handle credentialing and paperwork
  • Cover malpractice insurance
  • Coordinate travel and lodging
  • Offer competitive compensation and personalized support

Whether you’re a physician looking to enhance your career or a facility needing reliable coverage, locum tenens offers a smart, scalable solution.

Final Thoughts

Locum tenens allows providers to practice medicine on their terms and gives healthcare organizations a powerful tool to meet patient care demands. Whether you’re exploring it as a career path or a staffing strategy, understanding locum tenens is the first step toward making it work for you.

Interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities or coverage solutions? Contact MDstaffers to get started.


LinkedIn
Facebook
X
Pinterest

JOB OPENINGS

Locum Daytime Radiologist (Southern California)

Remote Locum Nighttime Radiologist (Southern California)

Locum Daytime Nuclear Radiologist (Southern California)

Locum Family Medicine Physician (Southern California)

Locum Family Medicine Physician (Southern California)

RELATED POSTS

What is Locum Tenens?: A Practical Guide for Physicians and Healthcare Organizations

Reading Time: 2 minutesLocum tenens—Latin for “to hold the place”—refers to the practice of physicians…

Why More Physicians Are Choosing Part-Time Locum Tenens to Boost Their Careers and Income

Reading Time: 4 minutesFor many physicians, locum tenens is no longer just a full-time career…

Why Locum Tenens Is a Great Option for Physicians Just Out of Residency or Fellowship

Reading Time: 3 minutesStarting a career after residency or fellowship can be both exciting and…