9 reasons you want to work locum tenens as a physician assistant

Because PAs are needed in every medical specialty and setting, there are a wide range of job opportunities. However, one option many PAs may not be aware of is locum tenens. The term locum tenens is medical speak for a physician, nurse practitioner or PA who works temporary assignments, often involving travel.

Hospitals and facilities across the country use locum tenens providers when full-time staff is on vacation or leave, when they’re waiting to hire a new physician or PA or when they’re staffing up for busy times.

Looking for a reason to try out locums? Here are nine:

1. Earn extra income

Locums can be a great way to bring in extra money. Picking up extra shifts here and there can be an effective way to pay off student loans, make an extra house payment or just save for a rainy day. Working locums full-time can also be a positive financial move for those interested in making their own schedule but still making a good full-time wage.

2. Try a practice before signing a permanent contract

Have you ever taken a job, only to start and find it wasn’t what you expected? Locums gives you the chance to test drive a potential job and see how it really is before making a permanent commitment. You may find that your dream job was out there, just not where you thought it would be.

3. Explore different cities, states and regions

If you’re looking for a place to settle down or just like seeing different parts of the country, locums can be a great tour guide. Travelling to a new place and actually working there exposes you to more than you would see when vacationing. It also gives you a good feel for neighborhoods, hot spots and things to do outside of work. All of this may lead you to a permanent home or you may find you just enjoy visiting.

4. Discover diverse practice settings

Working at different health care facilities gives you clinical experiences you won’t find any other way. You could be working in a major metropolitan hospital or a small town rural clinic. You get to see the different ways medicine is practiced. As you pick up best practices from your assignments, you might just find ways to improve your job back home. In addition, you will build a network of physicians, other PAs and practice administrators who can become great resources for future career plans.

5. Get financial perks

Think of locums as an all-expenses paid vacation, where you just happen to go to work every day. As a locums, your housing, transportation and travel expenses are all covered—the only thing missing is the all-you-can-eat buffet. Depending on the length of your stay, you will be put up in a hotel or an apartment and receive a rental car for the duration of your assignment. In addition, your malpractice insurance will be covered and, in some circumstances, your state licensing fees will be covered.

6. Enjoy flexibility

Do you want to decide when and where you will work — or more importantly, when you won’t work? Then locums might be the choice for you. Locums make their own schedules. If you want to take a few weeks off to spend time with family or are finally ready to take that five-week European vacation, you can make it happen. This provides great work/life balance and ensures you control your career.

7. Fill a gap after you graduate

Unsure of where you want to work after graduation? Locums assignments will allow you to start making money immediately while you determine where you want to work.

8. Tackle unexpected changes in plans

If you find yourself in-between jobs or have a gap between contracts, try locums. You can pick up shifts for a few days, weeks or even months depending on the gap you need to fill. Locums is also a good choice if life throws you a curveball and you find yourself caring for an ailing family member or you’re faced with another issue that makes working a regular job difficult.

9. Make locum tenens your full-time career

If the above eight reasons are more than enough to try locum tenens, you may want to look into making it your full-time career. Full-time locums get all of the above benefits year round and have continual opportunities for learning and growth.

Tyler Black is the vice president of allied staffing at CompHealth. He places PAs, NPs, therapists, pharmacists and other allied health professionals in permanent, locum tenens and travelling positions around the country. For more information visit CompHealth online.