Physicians and APPs: This Q&A can help you decide whether locum tenens is for you.

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re like most physicians or advanced practice providers,
  you&rsquo;ve pondered the idea of embarking on a locums adventure. Increasing
  numbers of clinicians across the nation have chosen to take the leap to
  locums. If you&rsquo;ve been considering it, but still have questions about
  how the arrangement works, read on. These questions and answers can help you
  decide whether you&rsquo;re ready to come aboard as a locums provider.
</p>

<h2>Locums Q&amp;A</h2>

<h3>What is Locum Tenens?</h3>

<p>
  Locum tenens means &ldquo;to hold a place.&rdquo; It is used to describe
  physicians or advanced practice providers (APPs) who fill short-term or
  longer-term vacancies. Clinicians who work locum tenens may be standing in for
  other providers who are on leave. Locum tenens assignments have also evolved
  to include staffing startup service lines, filling shortages, and facing
  patient surges.
</p>

<h3>How Does the Locum Tenens Arrangement Work?</h3>

<p>
  Physicians and advanced practice providers who embark on locum tenens
  assignments do not work directly for the healthcare facility. Instead, they
  contract with locum tenens agencies to offer their medical services over a
  particular period. The healthcare facility contracts with the agency which
  then pays the locum tenens provider as an independent contractor.
</p>

<h3>Why Would Being a Locum Tenens Provider Be Ideal for Me?</h3>

<p>
  Physicians and APPs find locum tenens assignments ideal for a
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/top-10-reasons-to-work-locums"
    target="_blank"
    >variety of reasons</a
  >.
</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    Some want to try out a new location and facility before settling in an area
    permanently
  </li>
  <li>Others need a change of pace to stave off burnout</li>
  <li>Still others want to quench their thirst for travel and adventure.</li>
</ul>

<div>
  Whether you&rsquo;re interested in locums to
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/how-to-pay-off-medical-school-debt-more-quickly"
    target="_blank"
    >pay off medical school debt more quickly,</a
  >
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/locums-and-semi-retirement"
    target="_blank"
    >transition from full-time practice to semi-retirement,</a
  >
  or help facilities reopen after pandemic closures, there&rsquo;s an assignment
  that suits your interest and needs.
</div>

<h3>Is now a good time for being a locum?</h3>
<p>
  Now is a particularly good time to be a locum tenens provider. That’s because
  the industry is facing a growing physician shortage (<a
    href="https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/us-physician-shortage-growing"
    target="_blank"
    >AAMC</a
  >) just as facilities are trying to rebuild after COVID shutdowns. Many
  providers have chosen to retire early. Further, providers who have worked
  tirelessly on the frontlines are due for much-needed respite. And facilities
  will use locum tenens providers to fill these gaps.
</p>
<p>
  There is also a pressing demand for locum tenens providers in rural and urban
  communities and with the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Indian
  Health Services. Many physicians and advanced practitioners find working with
  these underserved patient populations intrinsically rewarding as they give
  back to their communities.
</p>

<h3>Why Do Healthcare Facilities Use Locums?</h3>
<p>
  Healthcare facilities rely on locums for many reasons. They may need them to
  fill vacancies for the interim when a provider has left a position. They may
  also use locums to temporarily cover for physicians or APPs who are on leave
  due to illness, pregnancy, or vacation. Locums also help expand services to
  rural areas or cover shifts when demand is high. Locums can help hospitals
  test patient demand for new programs and services without having to invest in
  full-time permanent providers. Facilities can also try out providers as locums
  and offer to hire permanently after evaluating whether it’s a match.
</p>
<h2>How Cross Country Locums Can Help</h2>
<p>
  With more than 30 years of experience in a variety of placement options,
  including locum tenens, temporary and temp-to-perm, Cross Country Locums can
  help. Connect with one of our
  <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/contact-us" target="_blank"
    >experienced locum tenens recruiters</a
  >
  today.
</p>


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