The term locum tenens is Latin for "placeholder." A locum tenens doctor is a physician who does contract work for short term jobs, spending days to months filling in at positions where extra or substitute help is needed.
Benefits of Locum Tenens Work
Working as a locum tenens physician allows the medical professional to design her own schedule, working the weeks or months she chooses to work. There is also the advantage that most locum jobs pay at a slightly higher rate than the salaried positions for which they substitute. Finally, if a doctor is considering changing locations or practice models, doing locum work is a great way for him to try out different scenarios before making a commitment.
Disadvantages of Locum Tenens Work
While locum jobs do tend to pay more, they also typically do not carry any benefits or provide adequate malpractice insurance. These two factors can end up leading to a net payout that is less than a salaried position. Working locum jobs also usually requires traveling significant distances to find appropriate work during the desired periods. For physicians with families, this may be quite undesirable.
Eligibility
Any one with a medical doctorate is eligible to work as a locum tenens physician; however, those who are not board eligible or board certified physicians will have difficulty finding malpractice insurance in order to work under these circumstances.
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