Curious about how locum tenens works? Learn about the logistics of locum tenens in healthcare and why it might be the ideal career opportunity for you!

<p> Flexible scheduling, outstanding pay, excellent travel opportunities, a fresh new 
  practice environment and much less stress…the allure of locum tenens is undeniable. 
  But how exactly does locum tenens work? What does “locum tenens” mean, and what are 
  the logistics around this unique arrangement? Why do so many providers choose the 
  locum lifestyle, and how can working locum tenens benefit your career?
</p>
</br>
<p> As a provider, you’ve probably practiced alongside others who were on locum assignments. 
  Maybe you’ve had a locum tenens provider cover for you while you were out on leave. 
  Or perhaps you’ve had colleagues who have embarked on locum adventures or a mentor
   who used locum tenens to retire partially but stay active in the field. While you’ve 
   likely had exposure to locum tenens and may have even considered it a career option 
   before, you may have questions about how locum tenens works. Here’s some insight 
   from our team on the logistics of locums to help you determine whether it’s right 
   for you!
</p>

<h2>What Is Locum Tenens?</h2>
<h3>What does “locum tenens” mean?</h3>
<p> “Locum tenens” is Latin for “one holding a place.” Locum tenens is an arrangement 
  in which physicians or APPs cover vacancies or absences for other providers.
</p>
<h3>Why do facilities use locum tenens providers?</h3>
<p> Healthcare facilities use locum tenens providers when permanent providers are out on leave. They also use locums to cover vacant positions, 
  to meet seasonal surges in patient volume, or to ramp up staff when expanding service lines. 
</p>

<h2>Why Choose to Work Locum Tenens?</h2>
<h3>What are the benefits of working locum tenens?</h3>
<p> The advantages of locum tenens include the opportunity to explore exciting 
  locations across the nation, the freedom of not being tied down for the long term, 
  the flexibility of having access to nearly any schedule, the ease of less 
  administrative work and 
  practice politics, and the opportunity to earn great pay, bonuses, perks, and more! 
</p>
</br>
<p>Here’s what a few providers who work with Cross Country Locums have to say about it: </p>
</br>
<p> <i> “I wanted to explore the world of travel medicine, help hospitals in need, learn new cultures and systems, learn how different 
  programs approach challenges differently, and diversify my look at problem solving...” 
  </i>
</p>

<p><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/meet-dr-george-m-board-certified-internal-medicine-physician?" target="_blank">Dr. George M.</a>, 
Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician </p>
</br>
<p><i>“Financially, locums was more advantageous and gave more flexibility with my scheduling.”</i> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/meet-elizabeth-t-nurse-practitioner?" target="_blank">Elizabeth T.</a>, Nurse Practitioner  </p>
</br>
<p><i> “Locums was a no brainer… it’s a direct path to maximizing my learning and experiences.”</i> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/meet-nakeith-o-acute-care-nurse-practitioner?" target="_blank">Nakeith O.</a>, 
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner</p>

<h2>The Logistics of Locums</h2>
<h3>What do locum tenens do?</h3>
<p> Locum tenens providers do just what other providers do. They are fully vetted, 
  credentialed and qualified to deliver the same level of care as their permanent 
  counterparts. Locum tenens providers are accustomed to quickly adapting to 
  new practice environments and hitting the ground running. They pride themselves 
  on seamlessly meshing with existing care teams. In the process, they enjoy the 
  opportunity to learn from diverse settings and gain increasing confidence as they 
  broaden their experience and expertise. 
</p>

<h3>What kind of provider roles are locum tenens?</h3>
<p> There are locum tenens opportunities for physicians, specialists, surgeons, 
  nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists 
  and even dentists. 
</p>
<h3>What specialties hire locum tenens?</h3>
<p> There are locum tenens providers in every facet of the field of medicine, from 
  general practice to specialties and subspecialties. Facilities are always looking 
  for locums in family medicine and internal medicine. Specialties often needing 
  locums include OB-GYN, cardiology, psychiatry, urgent care, anesthesiology, 
  nephrology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, hospital medicine, urology, neurology, 
  otolaryngology and sports medicine.
</p>
<h3>Where do locum tenens providers work?</h3>
<p> Locum tenens providers work in virtually any healthcare setting, including hospitals, 
  clinics, rural health facilities, private practices, ambulatory surgery centers, 
  outpatient centers, dialysis clinics, nursing facilities, mental health facilities, 
  correctional facilities, palliative care, academic institutions, Veterans’ 
  Administration, Indian Health Services, telehealth and home health.
</p>

<h3>How do locum tenens assignments work?</h3>
<p> When a facility needs a locum tenens provider, they typically reach out to a locum 
  tenens staffing agency they partner with and put in a request for locums support. 
  The locum tenens company jumps into action. An experienced, established locum tenens 
  agency will have a pipeline of providers to tap into to try to find the 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/locum-life-made-easy-getting-placed-on-a-locum-assignment?" target="_blank">right match</a>. 
  The agency’s recruiting team will also advertise the position and gather a list of 
  applicants. They will then screen the applicants to find a handful of candidates who 
  would be a fit. The candidates are presented to the facility and are credentialed 
  and interviewed to ensure they are qualified for the assignment. The facility chooses 
  the right match. The assignment is for a specified length of time. Once the job ends, 
  the provider moves on to another assignment. Sometimes, facilities and providers 
  discover they’re best for a permanent placement. This is called locums to perm.
</p>

<h3>How long are locum tenens assignments?</h3>
<p> Locum tenens assignments vary in length. Some are just a few shifts; others can last 
  several months. It all depends on what the facility needs. Short, local assignments 
  often appeal to providers who want to supplement their permanent positions with 
  part-time work. Longer travel assignments often appeal to those who wish to travel 
  and create a full-time career out of locums work.
</p>
<h3>Do locum tenens earn more than salaried providers?</h3>
<p> Locum tenens providers can <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/locum-tenens-salary-and-pay?" target="_blank">earn more</a> 
than salaried providers when compared on an hourly basis. 
  There are several reasons for this. First, providers who are willing to work temporarily 
  and give up the security of a permanent position are in demand. Additionally, locum 
  tenens are independent contractors, so they don’t have an employer that withholds 
  and pays their taxes for them. Locum tenens must file and pay their own income taxes, 
  self-employment tax, social security and Medicare, so this is accounted for when 
  determining pay rate. In many cases, this can still work out to higher pay than a 
  salaried position, but it can be difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison.

</p>
<h3>How do locum tenens get paid?</h3>
<p> At Cross Country Locums, locum tenens are paid weekly via direct deposit. They are also eligible for referral bonuses and travel and housing allowances.</p>

<h3>Where do locum tenens stay during assignments?</h3>
<p> When locum tenens providers travel on assignment, they may <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/locum-life-made-easy-locum-tenens-housing?" target="_blank">stay</a> 
at a hotel, air bnb, facility housing, corporate apartment or other setting. 
  It’s even possible for providers to bring family members or pets on assignment!
</p>

<h3>How do I find the best locum tenens company?</h3>
<p> If you’re ready to embark on the locum tenens lifestyle, take some time to find the 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/navigating-your-locums-journey-how-to-connect-with-a-locum-tenens-recruiter?" target="_blank">right locum tenens company for you</a>. 
  Look for a team that cares about your interests, 
  offers options across the country (if you want to travel) or nearby (if you want to 
  stay home), and has many years of experience placing locum tenens providers. Also, 
  consider finding an agency that offers other job opportunities, like temp-to-perm 
  and permanent placement. Look for a company highly rated by healthcare agencies 
  and providers that has the awards and recognition to show for it. Ask if they 
  offer perks like referral bonuses, malpractice coverage, training, travel, 
  and housing stipends. See if you can bring pets or family members on 
  assignments when possible. And lastly, find out whether they have the 
  technology and streamlined processes to make life easy for you.

</p>
</br>
<p><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums" target="_blank">Start your locum tenens adventure now.</a></p>

How Does Locum Tenens Work in Healthcare