What Does Locum Tenens Mean?

Locum tenens refers to providers and physicians work at healthcare facilities to fill gaps in care or occupy vacant positions on a temporary basis, though the positions can be short-term or long term.

A locum tenens staffing and recruiting agency such as Barton Associates assigns these providers to short- and long-term positions at hospitals, medical practices and organizations across the United States.

Where Does the Term Locum Tenens Come From?

“Locum Tenens” is Latin for “holding one’s place. Although the term’s origins dating back to 1640, its modern use stems from the 1970s when rural areas required additional physician staffing for their medically underserved populations. The industry has grown rapidly over the last 50 years, with more than 85% of healthcare facilities relying on locum tenens providers in all 50 states. The term has also expanded to include a wider variety of healthcare providers, not just doctors and physicians.

What is the Difference Between Locum Tenens and Per Diem?

Per diem work is “as needed” and tends to lack a specific start or end date. A per diem worker may be needed one day and not the next. Locum tenens work is contracted to have a set start and end date, and often comes with more benefits than per diem work.

Who Works Locum Tenens Jobs?

Locum tenens is an attractive option for healthcare providers looking to gain clinical experience, earn better pay, or have flexibility and less burnout in their careers. Others love locum tenens for the opportunity to travel and visit new places.

Healthcare workers of all fields and specialties now regularly work locum tenens. Barton Associates works with a wide variety of healthcare providers of all specialties, including Physicians, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Dentists, and Physician Assistants (PAs).

Why do medical facilities work with locums?

There is a a critical shortage of medical providers (MDs, DOs, NPs, NPs, Dentists, and CRNAs) in the U.S. due to multiple factors including:

1. Little-to-no change in the number of residency spots for physicians meaning leading to zero change in the number of new physicians practicing each year
2. More physicians aging-out of practice due to age or burnout 
3. Increased access to healthcare mean that the demand for physicians is growing
4. An aging population that is living longer than ever that need care
5. And, most recently, delayed preventative care due to facilities shutting down due to COVID-19

To combat this, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and even nurses have stepped up taking on added responsibilities, and gaining more autonomy to practice. During the pandemic, multiple states lifted laws for NPs and PAs regarding having an MD overseeing their work. But, even with these highly-skilled providers stepping up, there is still a critical shortage of all types of medical providers to combat.

To keep the doors open, facilities like critical access hospitals, IHS facilities, clinics, private practices, hospitals, and more rely on locum tenens providers to provide critical care to their patients. The locum life is not for everyone, but those who chose it are truly saving lives. Learn more about these medical providers and the facilities they work at.

Q:  Do I have a choice where I’m placed? 

A: As a 1099 contractor, you, the locum, decide if you take an assignment or not. You can choose to take back-to-back assignments, or take one a quarter. Since you are an independent contractor, the decision is yours.

Q: Who makes travel arrangements/how is travel compensated?

A: With most Barton Associates locum tenens assignments travel including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other modes of transportation (ferries) are covered by the client and organized by Barton Associate’s in-house travel team.

Q: How do I get licensed for specific states?

A: If a medical provider working with Barton is interested in obtaining additional licenses, Barton Associate’s licensing team will help obtain new licenses as long as it is beneficial for both parties.

Q. How do I complete credentialing?

A.  Barton Associate’s in-house credentialing team works with clients and the locums to ensure a smooth credentialing process

Q. How do locum tenens get paid?

A. Locum providers are classified as independent contractors and are typically paid on a net-15 basis. Your recruiter can help answer any pay questions or concerns you encounter.

Q: How Long is a Locum Tenens Assignment? 

Locum tenens assignments can last anywhere from a couple of days to a year or more. Two months is a common range for many providers, but you can likely find a position that matches any need.  Barton also regularly has assignments that offer locums the ability to provide coverage on an ongoing basis, with no fixed end date.