If you’re a physician in the United States, chances are you’ve felt burnt out from your job in recent years. It’s an issue that has plagued the nation’s doctors for at least a decade—in fact, a recent study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that 45.2% of U.S. physicians reported at least one symptom of burnout in 2023—a marginal improvement from 45.5% of doctors who said the same in 2011. For physicians feeling like they’re stretched thin, locum tenens jobs are a remedy for burnout, offering travel opportunities across the country, scheduling flexibility, and even a higher earning potential. The locum tenens industry is growing, making now one of the best times to become a locum doctor—read on for the best locum tenens companies for physicians as well as the answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is a locum doctor?
A locum doctor, or a locum tenens physician, is a licensed physician who takes short- or long-term temporary assignments at short-staffed hospitals, private practices, clinics, and other medical facilities. In other words, a locum doctor is a travel doctor.
Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that translates to “to hold the place,” but in the healthcare industry, the phrase refers to physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and dentists who travel across the country, taking temporary assignments at facilities struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels.
There are plenty of reasons why a medical facility might decide to partner with a locum tenens agency for providers, such as to maintain coverage for permanent providers on leave, fill gaps during staff shortages, handle seasonal influxes in patient volume, and ensure specialized expertise. This last reason is especially important, as locum tenens physicians can be of any specialty—from cardiology, to neurology, to anything in between.
What are the best locum tenens companies for physicians?
To become a locum tenens doctor, partnering with a locum tenens agency is your best shot at finding consistent and high-paying work. When it comes to choosing the best locum tenens companies for physicians, doctors should take into consideration the company’s reach, status, and unique benefits.
Here’s a list of some of the best locum tenens companies for physicians:
Barton Associates
Barton Associates, a top-tier locum tenens staffing firm in the US, places expert locum tenens providers in a wide variety of medical settings—from urban medical centers to small-town health clinics, and almost everything in between in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Since Barton began in 2001, the company has built an extensive network of providers and clients who trust their expertise in matching the right healthcare professionals with facilities in need of temporary staffing solutions.
Barton’s unique blend of experience, scale, and innovative technology enables them to efficiently match qualified healthcare professionals with facilities that need them most. For aspiring locum doctors, Barton recruits and staffs physicians in over 100 specialties, such as family practice, pediatrics, neurology, surgery, and more.
Barton Associates distinguishes itself in the locum tenens physician staffing industry through its commitment to personalized service. The company’s dedicated team of recruiters and account executives make a concerted effort to cultivate meaningful relationships with both locum tenens physicians and healthcare facilities, enabling Barton to create lasting partnerships that ultimately contribute to positive patient outcomes.
As a locum tenens doctor working with Barton, you’ll benefit from comprehensive licensing and credentialing services—internal teams take the lead on these complex processes, making it easier for you to get the approvals you need to travel across state lines and provide care. There’s a lot of travel that comes with becoming a locum tenens physician, and Barton Associates provides travel and lodging assistance to its providers. Doctors who partner with Barton Associates also receive comprehensive medical malpractice coverage.
Interested in becoming a locum doctor with Barton Associates? Check out our open locum tenens physician jobs today and apply!
CHG Healthcare Services
CHG Healthcare Services encompasses multiple locum tenens agencies: Weatherby Healthcare, CompHealth, Global Medical Staffing, and LocumSmart. These entities collaborate to place locum tenens providers, including locum doctors, across diverse healthcare facilities nationwide.
CHG offers comprehensive support throughout the locum tenens process, including credentialing, licensing, travel, and lodging assistance. They also provide malpractice insurance coverage for their locum tenens providers.
Jackson Healthcare
Jackson Healthcare owns two major locum tenens companies: Jackson + Coker and LocumTenens.com. These subsidiaries offer a range of locum tenens staffing solutions across the United States.
Their locum tenens division places providers, including locum tenens physicians, in various medical specialties, serving diverse healthcare facilities from community hospitals to academic medical centers.
Jackson Healthcare provides credentialing assistance, travel support, and malpractice insurance for its locum tenens providers.
AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare, a leading healthcare staffing company, has been prominent in the industry for over 30 years.
Their locum tenens division offers staffing solutions for various healthcare specialties, working with diverse settings from private practices to large hospital systems nationwide.
AMN Healthcare provides support services including credentialing assistance, lodging and travel help, and malpractice insurance for its providers.
Medicus Healthcare Solutions
Founded in 2004, Medicus Healthcare Solutions specializes in locum tenens placements for physicians, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals across the United States.
They work with healthcare facilities ranging from rural clinics to urban medical centers, offering staffing solutions in numerous medical specialties.
Medicus provides comprehensive support services, including credentialing assistance, travel and housing support, and malpractice insurance coverage for its locum tenens providers.
Hayes Locums
Established in 2012, Hayes Locums is a physician-owned and operated locum tenens company. They focus on placing physicians and advanced practice providers across various specialties and healthcare settings.
Hayes Locums operates nationwide, working with facilities from community hospitals to academic medical centers.
They offer support services for locum tenens assignments, including credentialing, licensing, travel, and housing assistance. Hayes Locums also provides malpractice insurance coverage for its providers.
Becoming a Locum Doctor: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As you consider embarking on a career as a locum tenens physician, you likely have several questions about the process, benefits, and potential challenges; this section addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a locum doctor.
How do I pick a locum company?
When choosing a locum tenens company, consider the following factors:
- Reputation: Research the company’s track record and read reviews from other physicians.
- Specialties and locations: Ensure the company works with your specialty and offers assignments in your preferred locations.
- Support services: Look for companies that provide comprehensive support, including credentialing assistance, travel arrangements, and malpractice insurance.
- Communication: Choose a company with responsive recruiters who understand your needs and preferences.
- Licensing assistance: If you plan to work in multiple states, select a company that helps with multi-state licensing.
- Size and reach: Larger companies may offer more diverse opportunities, while smaller ones might provide more personalized service.
- References: Ask for references from other physicians who have worked with the company.
Barton Associates places locum tenens physicians of a wide range of specialties in all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories, making it a perfect fit for many doctors looking to start their locum career. Not to mention, Barton’s personalized service, licensing and credentialing assistance, travel and lodging help, and malpractice insurance are all factors that separate Barton from the competition.
Want to start your locum tenens career? Check out Barton Associates’ open locum tenens physician jobs and apply today!
Is locum tenens worth it?
Yes! Locum tenens jobs can be incredibly rewarding for physicians seeking flexibility, diverse experiences, and potentially higher earnings. These positions allow doctors to work in various healthcare settings, from bustling urban hospitals to rural clinics, providing exposure to different patient populations and medical practices. This variety can help prevent burnout, enhance clinical skills, and offer a broader perspective on healthcare delivery across different communities.
Moreover, locum tenens work offers the freedom to create a schedule that aligns with personal and professional goals. Physicians can choose when and where they work, allowing for extended breaks between assignments, time for travel, or the ability to balance work with family commitments. Additionally, locum tenens positions often come with competitive pay rates, making them financially attractive for many doctors looking to supplement their income or transition between career phases.
What is the highest paid locum tenens specialty?
It’s difficult to say exactly which locum tenens specialties pay the most—it all depends on experience, location, demand, and more—but pediatric surgeons, cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, general surgeons, and anesthesiologists top the list of highest paid doctor specialties, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Do locum tenens providers make more money?
A good rule of thumb is that locum tenens providers typically make more than their permanent counterparts, as short-staffed facilities are usually willing to negotiate due to their need. In fact, according to a 2023 survey by Barton Associates, 17% of locum tenens respondents said they started doing locum tenens work for the higher earning potential!
How long is a locum contract?
That’s the beauty of locum tenens work—locum tenens contracts vary in length, some last days while others last three or four months. It’s all about what you’re looking for, and what fits your schedule.
Find Your Next Locum Tenens Job or Staff Your Facility with Barton
Barton Associates distinguishes itself among the many reputable locum tenens companies through its exceptional combination of size, expertise, and individualized attention.
The company excels in creating strong relationships and providing extensive support, making it an ideal choice for healthcare professionals looking for locum tenens positions and healthcare facilities seeking staffing assistance.
