A new American Medical Group Association report on physician retention highlights the challenges of striking a work-life balance.  The survey shows that many physicians leave a group practice to move closer to family or to simply reduce their workload. 

The report adds that women 39 and under are significantly more likely to leave a medical practice than their male counterparts.

In another recent survey of women in healthcare, only 9% of women rated themselves as “very satisfied” with their work-life balance.  Respondents reported that at least once each week they had to make choices between work and family.

Becoming a locum tenens physician isn’t a cure-all for work-related stresses, but it does allow you to practice medicine without the worries of managing a practice or chasing reimbursement and other administrative hassles. In addition, consider these benefits:

• Locum tenens gives you choice and flexibility, allowing you to decide when, where and how often you work.
• Locum tenens jobs can be close to home or travel assignments. While some doctors associate locums work with relocation or travel, the reality is that many locum tenens providers only accept shifts in their immediate area.
• Locum work can ease a career transition.  If you want to re-enter the workforce after an extended leave or if you are between full-time positions and don’t want to make a permanent commitment, locum tenens is a great option.

As a critical care nurse, recruiter and parent, I appreciate the work-life choices that impact your career decisions.  If Locum Leaders can help with your unique situation, don’t hesitate to let us know.

New to the Workforce
Many healthcare professionals make their first job a locum tenens job.  Some do so because they are reluctant to sign a long-term contract or make a career commitment immediately after residency.  Others may wish to travel or try jobs in different parts of the country to get exposure to regional lifestyles.

Geography aside, a locum tenens job is also a way to ‘kick the tires’ on different types of practice settings.  New physicians can take short-term positions in small clinics or large corporate health environments as a way to see how their practice style meshes with varied healthcare delivery systems. 

Career Changers
Job changes in medicine are more common than ever and physicians and CRNAs often turn to locum tenens while in-between full-time positions. Unanticipated job loss, a move to a new state, or a return to the workforce after a sabbatical are common career change scenarios. Whatever the reason, a locum tenens assignment can help fill a temporary gap between jobs and help ease a career transition.

Part-Timers
Locum tenens positions are, by definition, part-time jobs.  However, they are often filled by physicians and CRNAs who are otherwise fully employed.  A common example in the industry is a physician who allots a few weeks of his or her vacation time to locum tenens work. Other full-time physicians may ‘moonlight’ as locum tenens, working during nights or weekends to earn extra income.

Still other part-timers are retired or semi-retired.  Many locum tenens providers don’t want to work full-time, but like to keep a hand in medicine by taking call, working weekends or accepting periodic travel assignments.  Some parents may also find a more ‘family-friendly’ work schedule as a locum tenens.

Full-Time Locums
The last category is made up of physicians and CRNAs who work exclusively as locum tenens providers. These ‘full-time locums’ may work a single long-term assignment or may jump from job to job and state to state during the course of a year. Some enjoy the travel and practice diversity:  the flexibility of choosing when and where they work.  Others like the independence of working as a solo contractor, allowing them to care for patients without the business hassles of running a practice.

Getting Started
If you can see yourself in one of the categories above, then take the next step toward pursuing a locum tenens assignment.  Check out physician employment opportunities on general job boards, check our current job openings or drop me an email to discuss your interests and needs.