As a healthcare provider, you probably know someone who works as a server at a restaurant, at a retail store, or as a barista to earn more money. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dentists take on these “moonlighting” opportunities to pay off student debt, save for retirement, or cover living expenses—but did you know you don’t have to find a job outside of healthcare to make extra money? In fact, healthcare professionals looking to make more money outside their permanent position can do so as a locum tenens provider. Read on to learn more about the benefits of medical moonlighting as a locum tenens provider.
What is moonlighting?
Moonlighting means working a second job to earn extra money. It isn’t a term specific to any profession—anyone who works two jobs is moonlighting. People may choose to moonlight because they work full time and cannot cut their spending or because they are having difficulty paying off debt.
What is medical moonlighting?
Medical moonlighting for healthcare providers means working a second job at a healthcare facility to earn some extra income. It’s an option available to both residents and full time healthcare providers.
There are two types of moonlighting jobs available: internal and external. Internal means picking up extra shifts in your hospital. External means working extra shifts outside your home hospital—this typically means working a part time locum tenens job.
Why moonlight as a locum tenens provider?
One reason to moonlight as a locum tenens provider is to pay off your student debt. In the United States, 73% of medical school graduates have educational debt, and the average medical school graduate owes $250,995 in total student loan debt. Locum tenens jobs typically pay better than permanent work, so working a locum tenens job can help boost your income.
Residents and new graduates who get locum tenens moonlighting jobs benefit by gaining valuable experience. You’ll get the chance to talk to providers from a different facility and see how things are run in different kinds of environments. This kind of work can help make you more flexible for jobs you take on in the future. Healthcare facilities are more likely to hire people who have valuable locum tenens experience.
Older medical professionals aged 50-54 are more likely to moonlight than younger healthcare providers, in part because moonlighting can help build retirement savings, and even allow for an earlier retirement.
It’s also a great way for older providers to help cope with professional stagnation and boredom- locum tenens jobs are an exciting way to explore different kinds of practice environments, and meet new people. If you’re feeling like your current job is practical and stable, but no longer a fun challenge, moonlighting is a great way to break up the monotony.
Clinical skills can atrophy without frequent work with patients. It’s a good idea to maintain these skills, even if you don’t need them day to day. Moonlighting in urgent care, or the emergency room can help you to keep your skills regarding interactions with patients, and how to treat a wide variety of patients.
Is medical resident moonlighting possible?
If you’re a medical resident, you’ve probably heard other residents talk about moonlighting. Moonlighting during residency is possible, but you need to check your healthcare facility’s policies, and make sure that you have the time. For example, HCA Healthcare does not allow first-year residents to moonlight, and does not allow for internal moonlighting.
Some residency programs have policies barring residents from moonlighting, or restricting moonlighting to residents in good standing. Barton Associates sometimes places residents (depending on their educational experience, skill, and other factors) on locum tenens assignments, but given how many hours residents tend to work, it’s important to make sure you’re not taking on too much. Tell recruiters about how much work you are doing, so they can make sure you don’t overwork yourself!
Most residents work over 60 hours a week, so it might not be possible for you to work a second job. Residents cannot work over 80 hours per week, due to rules set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Barton Associates provides free malpractice coverage for all our locum tenens, so you don’t need to worry about additional costs associated with a second job.
Can I moonlight as a new grad?
It’s often difficult for providers to get a locum tenens job right out of school or residency, because many healthcare facilities prefer to hire experienced providers that won’t require on the job training.
However, Barton Associates hires new grads and experienced practitioners, so NPs, PAs and CRNAs may be able to get hired by Barton Associates as locums right after completing their education. While many hospitals require experience, and it’s much easier for experienced providers to find jobs, working with a recruiter increases the chance they can find you work.
Locum tenens work varies from one weekend to full time. If you get in touch with a Barton recruiter, you can get help finding part time, short term assignments. You can even get telemedicine jobs and work from home!
How can medical moonlighting as a locum tenens provider help me meet financial goals?
A key reason for medical moonlighting is to make more money, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting paid enough at a second job you take on. Fortunately, locum jobs often pay much better than permanent positions. Check out our salary calculator to find out how much more you could make with a locum tenens job!
It’s a smart idea to determine how taking a locum tenens job would help you meet your financial goals. Make a budget, and find out how working a second job as a locum could help you cover your ordinary expenses, pay down student loans, and save for retirement.
Is burnout a common experience among those who do medical moonlighting?
Because medical moonlighting involves taking on a second job, providers who take this route can become burnt out quickly because of the amount of time they’re spending on the clock.
If you aren’t sure about your ability to work an additional part time job, you can ask a Barton recruiter to help find you a very short term assignment to see how moonlighting would fit into your schedule before committing to a longer assignment.
After completing your first assignment, take a break to decide if you want to take on another. You should factor in your financial goals, and your physical and mental health.
If you enjoyed your first assignment, perfect! If not, you can talk to your recruiter about working more or less hours in the future.
Make time to relax and unwind from work to avoid burnout. Focus on a hobby that you’re passionate about and check out wellness resources that your graduate program has available.
Find a Locum Tenens Job with Barton Associates
Healthcare providers looking to moonlight can check out jobs available at Barton Associates, or they can get in touch with a recruiter.
