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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. In a recent webinar for residents and fellows—hosted by senior marketing specialist Rachel Gendi from CareerMD—Global Medical Staffing (GMS) sales managers Lindsey Schoenberg and Emily McLaughlin talk with family medicine physician Dr. Michael Jones about how locums works, why it appeals to early-career physicians, and what to know before getting started. Here’s a summary of the topics they discussed or you can watch the webinar below.
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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: icenses, 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