A physician’s guide to working as an independent contractor: Unique ways to work locum tenens

This is the last part of a five-part series on everything a physician needs to know about working as an independent contractor. If you missed previous articles, you can read them here:

• Part one: Getting started with locum tenens

• Part two: Working with a locum tenens agency

• Part three: How to prepare for a locum tenens assignment

• Part four: How locums pay, malpractice, and taxes work

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Part five: Unique ways to work locum tenens

Locum tenens is a highly flexible career alternative for physicians with a variety of options depending on your wants, needs, and career stage. While many physicians make locum tenens their full-time career or work part time on the side, here are some other unique ways locums can help physicians work the way they want.

Transitioning from locum tenens to a permanent position

Some physicians use locums as a way to work in a variety of practice settings and geographic regions before taking a permanent position. If you’re interested in this option and want a locum tenens assignment to eventually turn into a permanent position (if the facility is interested), follow these suggestions:

• Work locum tenens soon after completing your fellowship or residency

• Get to know the community whenever you take a new assignment

• Ask your recruiter why the hospital where you work hires locum tenens and whether they would be interested in hiring a full-time physician

• Develop relationships with other physicians and support staff at each facility where you work

Neurologist Dr. Madeleine Geraghty explains how locums is a great way to "try before you buy," helping you find the right fit.

Planning for retirement

Some physicians who are nearing retirement are unsure how to navigate a more part-time schedule, and locum tenens assignments can help. Benefits of using locum tenens to transition to retirement include:

• Choose long-term assignments so you can enjoy the area where you’ll be working

• Think of locum tenens work as a way to continue helping others and doing something you’re good at

• Consider selling your private practice and taking locum tenens jobs back to back

• Take short breaks when you need a vacation or break rather than retiring completely

• Choose a different practice setting if you’re burnt out from years of private practice

The following resources can help your transition into retirement:

• Working locums in semi-retirement

• Why these 5 physicians continue practicing after retirement

Cardiologist Dr. Michael Higginbotham says retirement has a negative connotation. He instead thinks of locums as allowing him to work part time.

Travel abroad with international locum tenens

While some providers prefer to take jobs in the United States, others want to explore the world and work locum tenens internationally. If you’re interested in leaving the country, keep a few things in mind:

• It takes nearly 6 - 9 months to gather paperwork, secure a visa, and vet opportunities for international assignments

• Some assignments, like in the Caribbean, can be as short as a few weeks, but others, like in Canada or New Zealand, may require a commitment of up to a year

• Many clients advertise international locum tenens jobs six to nine months in advance, so it's important to start speaking to a recruiter early to get the process started

Despite the challenges, many providers say their experiences on international assignments are invaluable.

“I love that I didn’t have to work the weekends and could travel. I got to see and do a lot. We could put the real-life stuff on hold because there really wasn’t much real-life stuff to do out there except work and pay a few bills, and that was it,” says Dr. Jason Lambrese, who worked in New Zealand right out of residency with Global Medical Staffing. “I had that freedom to adventure and to explore a lot more than I give myself time to do here (in the U.S.).”

International 101: The beginner’s guide to international locum tenens assignments

Ready to get started working locum tenens?

We can help you with everything you need to become an independent contractor while working locum tenens. We're the experts, and we make it easy. Our healthcare staffing services cost you nothing and require no commitment — besides letting our representatives get to know you better so they can understand your unique situation, preferences, and goals. Put us to work and see how we leverage our industry experience and job network to help you find a career opportunity that offers you more financial, professional, and personal rewards.

Are you wondering what it looks like to work locum tenens with CompHealth? Step by step, this video walks you through the entire process, from your first call to your first assignment:

Call us at 800.453.3030 or click the button below to get started.

Go back to Part four: How locums pay, malpractice, and taxes work