More physicians seem to be realizing the many benefits of becoming locum tenens providers based on the latest figures. Over the past decade, the number of locum tenens providers in the United States has surged by more than 95 percent. It’s expected to climb even higher in the years to come. On the other side of the fence, a growing number of medical facilities have realized the advantages of hiring locum tenens providers with more than 80 percent and counting now turning to these professionals to cover staffing shortages.
Locum tenens work offers numerous benefits for doctors and other medical professionals. It gives them diverse experience with different patient demographics, clinical settings, and other variables. It also allows them to expand their skills and their professional networks. On top of that, it gives them the satisfaction of knowing that they’re helping to foster the continuity of care and making major differences in patients’ lives. If those sound like the advantages you’re looking for, then you need a job working locum tenens.
Delving Deeper Into the Flexibility of Locum Tenens Work
Of course, flexibility is also one of the main pull factors of locum tenens assignments. Flexibility takes on many forms in this particular arena. Consider some of the ways locum tenens work can give you far more freedom than other options.
Flexible Scheduling
Flexible scheduling is one of the most attractive aspects of being a locum tenens provider. You can choose assignments that fit in best with your lifestyle and the work-life balance you hope to achieve. Whether you’d like to work as many hours as possible or only on a part-time basis, you’ll find assignments that align with your goals. You can choose from different types of schedules as well, including conventional 7-on/7-off, monthly rotations, per diem, seasonal, night shifts, weekends, and hybrids.
Choosing Your Work Environment
Another flexible factor of locum tenens work is being able to choose the type of medical facilities you work in. You can choose among hospitals, clinics, urgent care facilities, and other options. You can work for large-scale healthcare systems, smaller community organizations, or private practices. There’s also the freedom of choosing whether you want to work in a rural, suburban, or urban area to consider. You can even try each of these to find out which one is the best fit. The choice is yours.
Experiencing New Places
Additionally, being a locum tenens providers means you can choose where you want to work. If you want to travel across the country and see new places, you can choose assignments that fall in line with your plans. Perhaps you’d love to live and work near the beach. If so, there are plenty of assignments in coastal cities. If you’ve always wanted to see some of the nation’s breathtaking desert landscapes firsthand, perhaps Arizona, Utah, or Wyoming would be more your speed. You’ll find available positions virtually everywhere across the country and even abroad. That said, if you prefer to stay close to home, you have that option too.
Finding Ultimate Flexibility and Freedom as a Locum Tenens Provider
The demand for locum tenens providers is surging, and the number of physicians choosing this type of work is also on the rise. Though being a locum tenens provider comes with several benefits, its flexibility is one of the most noteworthy. You can choose your schedule, facility type, location, and many other factors to tailor your work to your needs and expectations.
