CAREER PLANNING |
Finding the Right Practice
Locum Tenens
Locum tenens physicians serve as independent contractors, typically working on a temporary basis for any number of practices around the country. These job assignments are often established through a placement agency but can be sought out independently as well.
PROS
schedule flexibility, choosing a specific practice setting or geographic location, deciding how many hours you want to work, competitive compensation, exposure to several different practices, choosing your own benefits, in some cases can be quite lucrative
CONS
potential for less job stability, income risk, no employer benefits, constant relocation and travel, adapting to different practices, possible assignment cancellations, difficulty matching the income of private practice physicians
PRACTICE CHALLENGES
- constant relocation
- traveling for work
- learning new practices
- practicing in different environments
- availability of work assignments
- potential for last minute canceling of work assignment
- covering out-of-pocket costs for benefits
- Do you want complete flexibility in how much you work?
- Are you comfortable traveling often for work assignments?
- Would you like exposure to several different practices?
- Are you comfortable paying for your own retirement investments and benefits?
- Are you interested in a lucrative salary?
- Are you independently minded?
- Do you need to find work in between job positions?
- Are you comfortable providing a wide spectrum of clinical care?
