Why EM physicians choose locums
Domestic vs. international emergency medicine locums jobs
International emergency medicine locums
Managing burnout as an emergency medicine physician
Why work with Global Medical Staffing
What to expect when you work with Global Medical Staffing
Professional growth for emergency medicine physicians
Emergency medicine locum tenens jobs offer a different way to practice. Whether you want to pick up shifts closer to home, work in a new healthcare system, or take your skills overseas, locums can help you create more flexibility, more variety, and more room to breathe.
There’s something about the autonomy aspect of doing locums, where you just feel a lot more in charge of your own experience.
— Dr. Tracy Parrish, EM physician, Global Medical Staffing
Emergency medicine is especially well suited to locums because the work is already shift based. Instead of managing a long-term patient panel or stepping away from an office-based practice, EM physicians can often move into temporary assignments more easily than physicians in other specialties.
For some physicians, locums is a way to fill time between permanent roles or add extra shifts on their own terms. For others, it becomes a long-term career path that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to practice in different communities, hospitals, and countries.
Assignments that fit their schedule and lifestyle
Planned time off between contracts
New clinical environments
A way to stay engaged in medicine without feeling locked into one system
Domestic or international opportunities with support
I think it’s a little easier for ER docs to step away for small periods of time, a week or two weeks, and not have to disrupt the schedule for seeing patients in an office as a lot of docs would do.
— Dr. Matt DeWys, EM physician, Global Medical Staffing
With Global Medical Staffing, you can explore emergency medicine jobs in the United States as well as international emergency medicine jobs in destinations, including New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. That means you can choose an assignment closer to home, practice medicine in another part of the world, or build a career that gives you room for both.
Scope of practice, patient flow, medication protocols, documentation, resource availability, and referral patterns can vary by location. That variety is part of the draw for physicians interested in practicing emergency medicine abroad, but it’s also why working with an experienced emergency medicine staffing agency matters.
You’re not just calling up a random hospital in another country asking if you can get credentialed. That’s the other added value of Global Medical Staffing: They take care of the travel and lodging. It’s very streamlined.
— Dr. Joseph Leary, EM physician, Global Medical Staffing
Locums doesn’t make emergency medicine easy. The ED will always be unpredictable. But it can give you more control over the parts of your work life that often contribute to burnout: schedule, location, pace, and time away.
Instead of moving from one packed schedule to the next, you can choose assignments that let you reset between contracts, take a break after an intense stretch, or spend part of the year working in a place that feels personally meaningful.
For emergency medicine physicians who still love the work but need a different rhythm, locums can be more than a job option. It can be a way to keep practicing without losing yourself in the process.
As one of the first agencies to place physicians internationally, we bring decades of global locums experience, personalized support, and the resources of CHG Healthcare to every assignment.
For emergency medicine physicians, the right support can make a complex assignment feel manageable—especially with international emergency medicine jobs, which may involve additional logistics. That’s where our team comes in.
We help with:
Finding assignments that match your goals, experience, and schedule
Licensing, credentialing, and international paperwork
Travel and housing coordination
Onboarding details
Ongoing support before, during, and after your assignment
You don’t have to navigate the process on your own. We help make each step feel clear and manageable so you can focus on the assignment, the experience, and the reason you wanted to explore locums in the first place.
I’m not a number at Global Medical Staffing. So many locums companies treat you like you’re filling a spot, and there’s no checkup, no interaction, no follow-up. Global Medical Staffing has been super supportive, and that has made all the difference.
— Dr. Christopher Canto, EM physician, Global Medical Staffing
You’ll talk through your experience, goals, schedule preferences, and where you’re interested in working.
Your recruiter will share emergency medicine physician locum tenens jobs that fit what you’re looking for, whether that’s domestic coverage or an international assignment.
Depending on the assignment, we help coordinate licensing, credentialing, travel, housing, and other details.
You’ll get the information you need before you arrive, including assignment expectations and key contacts.
Your relationship with Global Medical Staffing doesn’t end once the assignment starts. You’ll have a team to help if questions or issues come up.
Emergency medicine locums can stretch your skills in ways a permanent role doesn’t. You’ll have the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations, varying resource levels, and different clinical protocols. For many EM physicians, that variety is energizing and can sharpen clinical judgment, build confidence, and reconnect you with the reasons you chose emergency medicine in the first place.
It’s an opportunity to broaden your horizons and connect with physicians from other countries. And it’s a global health learning opportunity.
— Dr. Joseph Leary, EM physician, Global Medical Staffing
FAQs about emergency medicine locum tenens jobs
Many emergency medicine locum tenens assignments function as ER shift work jobs, giving physicians more control over when and where they work. Some physicians pick up short-term domestic shifts, while others choose longer international assignments.
Patient volume varies by facility and location. Some assignments may be in busy hospitals, while others may be in smaller or more resource-limited settings.
Often, yes. International assignments may require country-specific registration, credentialing, or visa support. Requirements vary by location. Our team helps you understand what’s needed and guides you through the process, from licensing and credentialing to visas and other assignment details.
Assignment lengths vary based on location, facility needs, and the type of opportunity. Some domestic assignments can be as short as a few shifts, while international locums can range from a few weeks to several months or more. We’ll help you understand the expected timeline before you move forward so you can choose an assignment that fits your schedule and goals.
Emergency physician salaries and locum ER pay vary by location, specialty, facility needs, and market demand. U.S. assignments often offer higher earning potential than many permanent physician positions because of ongoing workforce needs. While international emergency medicine jobs typically pay less than comparable U.S. roles, they provide competitive local compensation. Plus, benefits like furnished housing and lower living expenses can add significant value.
Many of our doctors bring their families on assignment. The countries where we place physicians are safe, clean, and friendly. Children are welcome to attend the local schools, and your spouse may be able to get a work visa.
Have more questions?
Visit our locum tenens FAQ page.
Your emergency medicine career can be bigger than one schedule, one hospital, or one way of practicing. Whether you want more flexibility close to home or you’re ready to explore inernational locum tenens opportunities, Global Medical Staffing can help you find the right fit.
View our open emergency medicine locum tenens jobs, or connect with a Global Medical Staffing recruiter to learn more about domestic and international emergency physician jobs.
Manage your emergency medicine application, documents, and streamline credentialing, all in one place.