Are you looking for the perfect side gig as a physician or advanced practitioner? Locum tenens is the answer!

The right side hustle can vastly improve your quality of life as a physician or advanced practice provider. There are various types of side gigs for clinicians, including pharmaceutical research, medical writing, being an expert witness, serving as a consultant, or investing in real estate, to name just a few.However, one side gig that stands above the rest is locum tenens! That’s because locum tenens work can be financially, personally and professionally rewarding for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse anesthetists and other advanced practitioners.For example, taking on a side gig as a locum tenens provider can help you pay off your college and med school loans quickly, build significant savings for retirement, make a down payment on your dream home, buy a car, pay for a wedding or honeymoon, finance kids’ college, save up to open your own practice, retire early…the list goes on.There are even reasons to work <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-to-be-in-demand-as-a-top-locum-tenens-provider?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">locums</a> as a side gig that go beyond the obvious financial motivation: it can help you explore a new specialty, rekindle your passion for medicine, <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/building-your-network-as-a-locum-tenens-provider?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">build a vast network</a>, work with underserved patients, pair work and travel, or try out a new facility if you’re considering a permanent move.<h2>What Kind of Money Can You Earn on a Locum Tenens Side Gig?</h2><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/locum-tenens-salary-and-pay?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Locum pay rates</a> may be as much as 25% higher than salaried positions when compared on an hour-for-hour basis. Clinicians who work locum tenens don’t earn a salary because they are not considered employees. Instead, they are paid an hourly, daily, or shift-based rate because they are considered independent contractors. Pay rates vary based on location, specialty, qualifications, and facility.Why does locum work typically pay more than salaried work? Locum assignments usually pay more per hour because locum tenens providers don’t receive many traditional benefits associated with salaried positions. Additionally, healthcare organizations pay locums more since they are willing to give up the job stability of a long-term position (which makes the arrangement perfect for a side gig!)Locums providers must pay their own taxes, including income and self-employment taxes, so higher pay rates help offset these expenses. Locums can earn even higher compensation when there’s a high demand for temporary coverage (for example, during provider shortages or patient surges). Facilities are also willing to pay a premium for providers who are specialists and for those who can rapidly mobilize.What is the highest-paid locum tenens specialty? The highest-paid locum tenens specialties include anesthesiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, OB-GYN, orthopedic surgery, radiology, psychiatry and urology.<h2>How to Make Locum Tenens Your Side Gig</h2>To begin a side gig as a locum tenens provider:<ol><li>Connect with a trusted, experienced locum tenens recruiter. An expert recruiter can help you find your ideal match for an assignment. They’ll save you the time and effort of searching for jobs independently. They have access to a variety of opportunities that can match your skills, availability and preferences.</li><li>Begin the application process with the agency. Your recruiter will guide you through the entire locum tenens process. They’ll help with applications, CV and resume submission, licensing, and credentialing. They can also give you industry insights, like rates, market trends, and specific opportunities in different locations or specialties.</li><li>Interview and negotiate. Your recruiter will set up interviews with clients. You may have online or in-person interviews. One of the many perks of having a recruiter is that they will negotiate for you, ensuring you receive competitive compensation for your locum tenens assignment.</li><li>Make your selection. The best thing about working locum tenens as a side gig is that the work is temporary by nature. That way, you can quickly increase or decrease your workload. You can also decide whether working close to home or traveling is best for you and your family. You can work on recurring assignments for the same facility or at different locations. You can even decide what hours best fit your lifestyle. Do you want to work evenings, weekends or during your vacations? Do you want to take assignments that last single shifts, days, weeks, or even months?</li><li> To embark on your assignment. If you are traveling, your recruiter will arrange travel and lodging and handle any problems during your assignment. Whether traveling or working close to home, your recruiter will help ensure you’re prepared for the first day and handle any onboarding arrangements.</li><li>Get started! Head out on your assignment. It’s that easy! Reach out to your recruiter if you have any challenges. Your recruiter can be a long-term career partner, helping you build your medical career and reach your goals.</li></ol>Convinced about the many benefits of making locum tenens your side hustle yet? Give it a try! With the short-term commitment and flexibility this arrangement offers, you’ve got nothing to lose!<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Begin your locum tenens side hustle with Cross Country Locums.</a>

Locum Tenens: The Art of the Side Hustle