Locum Tenens Jobs in California

What is locum tenens?

Locum tenens refers to healthcare providers who temporarily fill in for other clinicians or work at facilities on a short- or long-term basis. These providers (physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and dentists, take on temporary assignments to cover staffing gaps or vacancies. Explore our locum tenens guide to learn more.

What does locum tenens mean?

Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that translates to “holding one’s place.” In a modern healthcare context, the term refers to physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and dentists who take short- or long-term assignments at a short-staffed healthcare facility (hospitals, clinics, correctional facilities, doctor’s offices, and more), filling in for permanent providers who have left their position vacant.

Do locum tenens need to be credentialed?

Yes, healthcare facilities typically require locum tenens providers taking an assignment at their facility to be credentialed. At Barton Associates, our internal teams handle the credentialing processes for locum tenens providers taking an assignment—all you need to do is get your paperwork in order (such as CVs, licensing information, educational information, and references) for easy reference and we’ll handle the rest.

How does locum tenens work?

At Barton Associates, our recruiters proactively scour the marketplace and our own locum tenens job applications to identify highly-skilled healthcare professionals who are willing to travel for work. When we’ve vetted these providers, we begin working on obtaining state licenses for them in the states they’re willing to work, and add them to our expansive network of locum tenens physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and dentists.

When one of our clients expresses a need for staffing assistance, we find a provider in our network that has the experience, qualifications, and skills for the job and present that provider to the client. Once the client approves the provider, Barton Associates’ internal teams get to work on credentialing, arranging travel, and other key steps to ensure they’re ready to go for their assignments.

Are locum tenens independent contractors?

Yes, locum tenens providers who work with Barton Associates are independent contractors rather than employees of the healthcare facilities at which they practice while on assignment.

How long can locum tenens work?

Locum tenens jobs vary in length, with some lasting a few days and others multiple months. It all depends on the staffing needs of the facility. Sometimes, locum tenens providers are extended past the duration of their original contract, and in rare cases, are taken on full-time by the facility.

Do locum tenens jobs include malpractice insurance?

Yes! Barton Associates offers free comprehensive malpractice insurance to all healthcare professionals who work with us. Our claims-made insurance is furnished by an “A”-rated insurance company and includes tail coverage for all providers. Learn more about our malpractice insurance here.

Can new grads work locum tenens jobs?

Yes! Locum tenens is a great way to gain experience, as well as explore a specialty to see if it’s right for you.

While some locum tenens healthcare jobs require a prerequisite amount of experience or skill set, many others do not. New graduates can also increase their chances of securing a locum tenens healthcare role with in-demand certifications.

The easiest way to find a job as a new graduate is to connect with a dedicated Barton recruiter, who can find you an open job that matches your needs and skill set.

Who works locum tenens jobs?

Although locum tenens work has its roots in the 1970s when American rural areas required additional physician staffing for their medically underserved populations, the industry has expanded to included healthcare providers of all types in all 50 states.

More than 85% of healthcare facilities rely on locum work, including locum nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dentists.

Do locum tenens jobs pay more?

Yes! Locum tenens jobs are not directly comparable with perm jobs because permanent providers are salaried, while locum tenens are paid an hourly rate, but locum tenens providers typically out earn perm providers on an hourly basis, sometimes earning more than twice as much as their perm counterparts.

There are a variety of reasons locum tenens workers often earn more than their perm counterparts. This is partly because facilities use locum jobs to fill in urgent vacancy, often for in-demand roles, and pay competitively as a result. Variations in pay can also result from location, experience, urgency, and a long list of other variables. Check out our locum tenens salary guides to learn how much more you might earn in a locum role.

How do I find locum tenens jobs in California?

We place healthcare professionals in all 50 states. Find locum tenens jobs in California using our job board located above or choose an assignment in another state—travel expenses are covered by Barton.

This page already shows locum tenens jobs in California, but to filter by another location, select the state dropdown filter to limit locum job listings to the states of your choice. You can also connect to a recruiter who can recommend listings based on your qualifications and desired work locales.