If you answer these questions with a resounding "YES," then you should consider moonlighting as a locum tenens provider. Working locum tenens can be a challenging and financially rewarding experience, either on a regular or sporadic basis.

The concept.

Locum tenens is Latin for "in the place of." The term refers to temporary employees who work in the place of physicians (or other medical professionals) who are absent due to vacation, maternity leave, emergencies, and so on. Locum tenens assignments can be for a day or two, several weeks or months, or as long as a year - such as for physicians who are on sabbatical.

The benefits.

Locum tenens employment is ideal for several categories of physicians. New providers completing their residency or fellowship programs benefit from working in different practice settings in various parts of the country. Working locum tenens offers the opportunity to rub shoulders with a wide variety of seasoned physicians who offer unique perspectives on their profession. Such experience is helpful for physicians who have not decided on the kind of practice they want to be associated with, or where they want to locate.

Locum tenens employment offers semi-retired physicians a valuable source of added income, as well as the chance to keep their medical skills up-to-date. An added benefit is flexibility in scheduling; doctors can plan their work around other personal and professional commitments.

Some physicians work as "career locum tenens" providers They work frequently and are generally available for ongoing and long-term assignments. Given their availability and dedication, locum tenens recruiters usually offer them the more attractive employment opportunities to consider.

An added feature of locum tenens employment is that some jobs are temp-to-perm. This allows physicians to "test drive" a practice before making a contractual commitment.

Financial rewards.

"How much can I expect to earn working locum tenens?" You won't become rich, but you will receive a competitive income in keeping with industry standards. Locums contracts are structured to offer hourly, daily, weekly or monthly compensation. In some instances (such as with multi-year government contracts), the compensation arrangement might be an annualized salary.

Locum tenens can pay off in other ways. Most locum agencies offer their providers a rental car, comfortable lodging, and paid malpractice while they are on assignment. As added recruitment incentives, some agencies offer paid health insurance, educational loan repayment assistance, and other "perks" as a reward for those who make long-term locum tenens commitments.

Working with agencies.

There are many locum tenens agencies geared to physician placement. Some firms concentrate in a limited number of specialties; other companies cover a wide spectrum of disciplines. Either type of firm can serve your professional needs regarding part-time employment.

In working with one or more agencies, once you have proven yourself as a reliable provider, you will probably be called frequently about upcoming locums assignments. Although you are not obligated to take a given assignment, it helps to be open-minded about different practice settings and willing to try something new.

If you are a bit adventuresome and flexible in your work schedule, locum tenens can be an exciting and profitable employment option.