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Whether you’re finishing up with residency or have practiced medicine for years, locum tenens can be a flexible, rewarding way to shape your career. Our recent webinar for residents and fellows—hosted by senior marketing specialist Rachel Gendi from CareerMD, with Global Medical Staffing (GMS) sales managers Lindsey Schoenberg and Emily McLaughlin, as well as Dr. Michael Jones—explores how locums works, why it appeals to physicians, and what to know before getting started.
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Why physicians choose locum tenens
Locum tenens physicians work temporary assignments across the United States and internationally. Assignments range from a few days to over a year, depending on your goals and the facility’s needs.
There are a variety of reasons physicians choose to work locum tenens, including:
- Increasing your income—Earn competitive compensation to pay down loans faster, save for a home, or supplement your earnings
- Spending more time with patients—Step away from excess administrative work and focus on patient care
- Controlling your schedule—Choose part-time, full-time, or seasonal work that fits your lifestyle
- Gaining variety—Work in different settings, specialties, and patient populations
- Test-driving opportunities—Try a facility before committing to a permanent role
- Traveling—Experience new communities or take assignments abroad
Benefits and considerations
Understanding its advantages and potential challenges can help you decide if locum tenens is right for you.
Benefits:
- Create a schedule that fits your life
- Treat diverse patient populations
- Build a strong professional network
- Avoid long-term contracts until you’re ready
Considerations:
- Adapt quickly to new workplaces and workflows
- Manage your own taxes, insurance, and retirement as a 1099 contractor
- Remember that assignments don’t count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Allow time for licensing and credentialing (though a skilled recruiter can handle most of it for you)
Understanding the financial side of locum tenens work
Locum physicians typically receive pay by the hour, day, or shift—sometimes with sign-on or completion bonuses. In the U.S., rates vary based on:
- Specialty and specific skills
- Location and demand
- Patient volume and complexity
- Shift type (nights, weekends, holidays often pay more)
International pay usually stays fixed but remains competitive for the host country. While you may earn less than in the U.S., the value often comes from the experience itself.
No matter where you decide to work, it’s important to be ready for the financial and administrative responsibilities that come with being a 1099 contractor.
- Set aside funds for quarterly estimated taxes
- Arrange your own health, disability, and life insurance
- Contribute to a retirement plan
- Track eligible deductions such as travel, CME, and supplies
Why work with an agency
While you can find assignments on your own, most physicians partner with a reputable agency like Global Medical Staffing that can:
- Give you access to a wide network of assignments
- Negotiate pay and terms on your behalf
- Manage licensing, credentialing, travel, and housing
- Provide malpractice coverage, including tail coverage
- Offer ongoing support before, during, and after assignments
Look for agencies with a proven reputation, specialty expertise, and clear communication. And remember—never pay an agency to represent you.
Locum tenens abroad: Dr. Jones in New Zealand
After finishing his family medicine residency in 2023, Dr. Michael Jones was ready for something different—an adventure that combined practicing medicine with seeing more of the world. Working with Global Medical Staffing, he found an international locum tenens role in a clinic on New Zealand’s North Island.
From day one, GMS took care of the details, including flights, housing, a car, internet, and other essentials, so Dr. Jones could focus on his patients and travel. The credentialing process took about six months and required meeting New Zealand’s registration requirements. But with his recruiter guiding him through every step, Dr. Jones navigated the process smoothly.
In the end, the assignment gave him everything he was looking for—meaningful work, a new cultural perspective, and an unforgettable adventure.
Steps to get started as a locum tenens
If locums sounds like it could be a fit for you, here’s how to get started:
- Clarify your goals—income, flexibility, travel, skill-building, or a mix
- Talk to other physicians who work locums to understand their experience
- Connect with a recruiter early—90 days ahead for U.S. assignments, six months for international
- Organize your documents—licenses, certifications, board credentials, references, and ID
- Prepare for interviews—research the facility and location, and come prepared with a few questions to ask
Locum tenens offers physicians at every career stage the chance to shape their work and lifestyle on their terms. With the right preparation and support, it’s a practical, rewarding option.
Want to learn if locum tenens would work for you? Give us a call at 1.800.760.3174 or view today’s locum tenens job opportunities
Full transcript:
Rachel Gendi (CareerMD):
Thank you all for joining today. We’re excited to talk to you about locum tenens—both international and stateside. Before we dive in, I’ll introduce our team. I’m Rachel Gendi, GME Outreach Manager at CareerMD. My mission is to educate residents and fellows on the non-clinical parts of their career so you feel ready and prepared to transition into practice. Joining me today are Lindsey Schoenberg and Emily McLaughlin, recruiters at Global Medical Staffing. Lindsey specializes in international locums, and Emily focuses on stateside. We’ll also hear from Dr. Michael Jones, a family medicine physician who worked locums in New Zealand right out of training.
Rachel Gendi:
Global Medical Staffing pioneered international locums and has helped physicians find opportunities worldwide and across the U.S. for over 25 years. They’re known for connecting doctors with flexible, adventurous roles. CareerMD provides free career resources to residents and fellows, including career fairs and educational sessions.
Rachel Gendi:
We’ll cover the basics of locum tenens, financial considerations, how to secure your first assignment, and hear Dr. Jones’s story. We’ll also have a Q&A session at the end. We’re using Slido for polls and anonymous Q&A. Scan the QR code or enter the code “locums101” to participate.
Emily McLaughlin (GMS – Stateside Locums):
Locum tenens means “to hold the place of.” It began in 1979 to provide coverage for underserved populations. Today, locums physicians fill temporary roles across the U.S. and internationally. They’re independent contractors, and about 7% of U.S. physicians—around 52,000—work locums each year.
Emily McLaughlin:
Physician burnout, rural staffing needs, and the desire for flexibility have made locums increasingly popular. Physicians at any career stage can make locums work. New grads use it to pay off loans, test-drive practice settings, travel, and build networks. Mid-career physicians often use locums to supplement income or reduce burnout. Late-career physicians may use it to transition into retirement gradually.
Emily McLaughlin:
Stateside assignments vary in length—from weekend shifts to several months—and offer flexibility and potential for higher pay. You can choose part-time or full-time work depending on your goals.
Lindsey Schoenberg (GMS – International Locums):
International assignments are typically longer, ranging from three months to two years, and are usually full-time. While international pay may be lower than U.S. rates, the experience and cultural exchange are often the main draw.
Lindsey Schoenberg:
Popular international locations include the Caribbean, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Canada, and Australia. Assignments vary in length and scope, but all offer unique opportunities to practice medicine in new environments.
Emily McLaughlin:
Physicians choose locums for many reasons: increased income, more time with patients, flexible scheduling, variety in practice settings, travel opportunities, networking, and the ability to try out a facility before committing to a permanent role.
Emily McLaughlin:
There are some considerations to keep in mind. Locums work requires adaptability, as you’ll be moving between different facilities and workflows. As a 1099 contractor, you’ll need to manage your own insurance and retirement. Locums assignments don’t count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Licensing and credentialing can take time, but agencies help streamline the process.
Emily McLaughlin:
Locum physicians are typically paid hourly, daily, or per shift. Pay varies based on specialty, location, patient volume, and shift type. International pay is usually fixed. As a contractor, you’ll need to manage taxes, insurance, and retirement. You can deduct expenses like travel, CME, and supplies.
Lindsey Schoenberg:
Working with an agency offers many benefits. Agencies provide access to a wide network of jobs, help negotiate pay and terms, assist with licensing and credentialing, coordinate travel and housing, and offer malpractice coverage—including tail coverage. They also provide ongoing support throughout your assignments.
Dr. Michael Jones (Family Medicine Physician):
After finishing residency, I wanted something different—something that combined practicing medicine with seeing more of the world. I worked with Global Medical Staffing and took a locum tenens assignment in New Zealand. They handled everything—flights, housing, a car, internet—so I could focus on my patients and enjoy the experience.
Dr. Michael Jones:
I worked in a rural clinic on the North Island, serving a high Māori population. It was meaningful work, and I learned a lot clinically and culturally. I worked four days a week and used my time off to explore the country. It was exactly what I was looking for.
Dr. Michael Jones:
One thing I’d recommend is planning for taxes. I saved about 15–20% of each paycheck to cover quarterly estimated taxes. Also, make sure your contract terms are clear upfront—especially around pay, housing, and scheduling.
Rachel Gendi:
If you’re considering locums, here are a few steps to get started. First, clarify your goals—whether it’s income, flexibility, travel, or skill-building. Talk to other physicians who’ve worked locums to learn from their experience. Connect with a recruiter early—about 90 days ahead for U.S. assignments and six months for international. Organize your documents, including licenses, certifications, board credentials, references, and ID. Prepare for interviews by researching the facility and location and coming with questions.
Emily McLaughlin:
When interviewing, research the organization and location, practice answering and asking questions, and review offers carefully. Get any changes in writing. Understand which contract terms are negotiable—like pay and expenses—and which aren’t, such as malpractice limits and cancellation terms.
Lindsey Schoenberg:
Start licensing and credentialing early. Use the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for expedited licensure. Consider storing your credentials with FCVS. DEA licenses may need to be updated per state. Agencies help streamline this process.
Lindsey Schoenberg:
Agencies typically arrange and pay for travel, housing, and transportation. Housing varies by assignment length and location but is generally private and furnished.
Emily McLaughlin:
When choosing an agency, look for a strong reputation, specialty expertise, broad job access, transparent compensation, good communication, and tail coverage for malpractice.
Rachel Gendi:
You can work with multiple agencies. Stay organized and communicate clearly. Agencies should never charge you to represent you. Locums can be full-time or part-time, and sign-on or completion bonuses may be available.
Rachel Gendi:
Thank you for attending. A recording and follow-up email will be sent, including a raffle for gift cards and a survey. Contact info is on the final slide.