Locum tenens is Latin for “to hold the place of,” and refers to temporary medical professionals who fill staffing gaps in healthcare facilities allowing for a seamless transition in patient care. Staff physicians are permanent, full-time professionals employed by a healthcare system, practice, or individual provider. Both positions fill vital roles in delivering quality healthcare. We will discuss both types of positions and the differences between them.
Understanding Locum Tenens and Staff Physician Roles
Locum Tenens
A locum tenens physician is a medical professional who provides a temporary service to fill a staffing shortage. The physician works on a contractual basis, covering for regular physicians who are on leave or during times of increased patient demand. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or other medical facilities, and provide a range of services including primary care, specialty care, or emergency medicine. Locum tenens physicians offer continuity of care for patients while providing essential support to healthcare organizations facing staffing issues.
The responsibilities and job description of locum tenens physicians vary depending on their specialty. Locum tenens physicians diagnose, treat, prescribe medication, order diagnostic tests, and perform medical procedures as needed. Other primary responsibilities include maintaining accurate patient medical records, collaborating with other healthcare personnel, communicating effectively with patients, and adjusting their skillset to a variety of settings and patient populations.
Locum tenens physicians offer flexibility and a temporary solution to staffing challenges while insuring the consistent delivery of quality healthcare. Locum tenens physicians are often utilized for vacation coverage, illness or maternity leave, staff shortages, seasonal demands, new practice or facility openings, specialty coverage, and/or emergency situations.
Staff Physicians
A staff physician is a medical doctor who is employed by a healthcare institution, such as a hospital, clinic, or medical center, to provide care to patients. Staff physicians play a crucial role in delivering high-quality medical care to patients while contributing to the overall purpose and mission of the healthcare entity.
Staff physicians typically work full-time and are often responsible for diagnosing, treating patients, and overseeing their ongoing care. They may specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, surgery, etc. Beside caring for patients, staff physicians may have other responsibilities. Staff physicians may also be asked to supervise medical residents, fellows, and other healthcare professionals during their training. Some may participate in clinical research including designing and conducting clinical trials, analyzing the data, and publishing their research in medical journals.
Staff physicians may act as a primary care provider and address routine patient needs, inpatient, or outpatient. Some may work in a hospital setting only providing care to hospitalized patients during their stay. Other physicians specialize in various medical specialties, such as cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, neurology, and gastroenterology and serve patients with specific needs. In emergency departments, staff physicians evaluate and treat patients with urgent medical conditions and injuries, while stabilizing patients for further treatment. Lastly, some physicians are trained as surgeons and perform minor outpatient surgeries to complex surgeries.
Key Differences Between Locum Tenens Physicians and Permanent Physicians
| Flexibility and Work Schedule | Locum tenens physicians typically have more flexibility in their schedule and location when compared to staff physicians. A locum tenens physician works on a temporary basis, which allows them to choose the assignments that fit their availability and preference. They have freedom to accept short-term jobs in a variety of locations. In contrast, staff physicians typically have more fixed schedules and are tied to a specific healthcare institution or practice, limiting their ability to work in different locations or change their hours. |
| Employment Benefits and Compensation | There are typically differences in salary, health insurance, and retirement benefits between locum tenens physicians and staff physicians, but the benefits do vary based on the individual contract. Locum tenens physicians often have higher hourly rates or daily fees compared to staff physicians; however, locum tenens physicians may not receive the same level of benefits and job security as staff physicians. Staff physicians typically receive comprehensive health insurance coverage as part of their employment benefits package while locum tenens physicians may need to purchase their own health insurance coverage or rely on their agency’s coverage. Staff physicians are often given an employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k) or 403(b) accounts, with employer contributions and the potential for matching, whereas locum tenens physicians are responsible for their retirement savings and may not have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
| Job Stability and Security | Locum tenens physicians work on a temporary basis, often filling short-term staffing needs or providing coverage for vacations or medical leaves. Their job stability is less secure than a staff physician’s job. Locum tenens physicians may experience fluctuations in their hours and income due to the unpredictable nature of fill-in work and the demand in different geographic areas or specialties. In contrast, staff physicians often have long-term employment contracts within their healthcare organization, providing stability in their careers. Staff physicians have a guaranteed work schedule and a set salary. |
| Professional Autonomy and Responsibilities | The scope of responsibilities for locum tenens physicians varies depending on the specific assignment and needs of the healthcare facility. Typically, they are responsible for providing patient care, making diagnoses, prescribing treatments, and working with other members of the healthcare team. However, they may not have additional responsibilities such as teaching, research, or administrative duties unless they are contracted for that role. Locum tenens physicians have the same level of autonomy as a staff physician within the scope of their role as a medical provider, but they may not have the same level of control over the institution’s policies or administrative decisions as staff physician. |
| Impact on Lifestyle | Locum tenens physicians often have more control over their work schedules, and a greater flexibility in balancing work with their personal and family life. They can choose their assignment based on their availability and preferences, which may enable them to take extended time off if needed or desired. However, locum tenens physicians may experience difficult in maintaining consistent family routines and may need childcare if they frequently travel for assignments. Staff physicians have demanding work schedules, especially in hospital-based settings, which may be a challenge in balancing work and home life. They usually have less flexibility in scheduling and may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as part of their job. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Role
Benefits of Being a Locum Tenens
Today, close to 90% of hospitals, medical groups and other healthcare facilities use locum tenens physicians to maintain care while finding permanent personnel. A 2024 survey of locum tenens physicians found 86% of those surveyed said that a better schedule was the most important or a moderately important factor influencing their decision to work locum tenens, followed by 80% who said that addressing feelings of burnout was a most important or moderately important factor influencing their decision.
One of the primary advantages to being a locum tenens physician is the flexibility to choose assignments based on personal preferences, allowing the physician to tailor their work schedule, practice settings, and geographic locations to fit their lifestyle and professional goals. This flexibility offers a better work-life balance, as locum tenens physicians can take time off between assignments to recharge, pursue personal interests, or spend time with family.
Often, locum tenens positions offer competitive compensation packages, including higher hourly rates, travel reimbursements, and other incentives, making it a financially rewarding option for physicians.
Challenges of Being a Locum Tenens
One major challenge of being a locum tenens physician is the constant need to adapt to new practice environments, patient populations, and healthcare systems with each assignment. A locum tenens position requires strong clinical skills, flexibility, and the ability to quickly learn new protocols and procedures including a new EHR. Locum tenens physicians may also have frequent travel, uncertainty about assignment durations, and a lack of income stability and/or additional benefits like healthcare and retirement benefits.
Benefits of Being a Staff Physician
One benefit to being a staff physician is the sense of belonging to a team and continuity of care that comes with being a permanent member of a healthcare institution. Staff physicians build long-term relationships with patients, providing continuity of care and personalized treatment plans over time. Staff physicians are usually given a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and continuing education opportunities.
Staff physicians often have opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles within their healthcare organization; they make meaningful contributions to healthcare research and help shape the future of their profession.
Challenges of Being a Staff Physician
The biggest challenge to being a staff physician is the demanding workload and an intense schedule including long hours, evening or weekend shifts, and on-call responsibilities. Balancing patient care with administrative tasks, teaching commitments, and research opportunities can be challenging and may lead to burnout or a work-life imbalance. Staff physicians often deal with bureaucracy within the healthcare organization including paperwork, electronic health record documentation requirements, and insurance regulations, which can reduce their time spent on patient care.
Making the Right Choice for Your Career
Assessing Your Career Goals and Lifestyle Needs
When assessing your career goals and lifestyle needs, you should consider your personal priorities, family considerations, and long-term career goals. Considering these questions can help you weigh the pros and cons of each career path.
- Is flexibility in my work schedule and practice setting important to me?
- Is it important for me to have control over my time off? Have time to pursue my own personal interests outside of work?
- Do I easily adapt to new situations, learn new processes and equipment easily?
- Is career stability important or do I prefer the variety and diversity of a locum tenens position?
- How will either a staff physician or locum tenens physician position impact my family life and the ability to maintain a good work-life balance?
- Will the frequent travel of a locum tenens role affect my family stability or routine?
- What are my long-term goals for personal growth, advancement, and/or leadership within my occupation?
- Do I value continuity of care and long-term patient relationships, or do I prefer the flexibility and variety of new assignments?
Advice from Industry Experts
Seeking advice from experienced locum tenens physicians and staff physicians can provide valuable insights into the daily realities of each role and help you to make an informed decision about your career paths. Locum tenens physicians can offer firsthand knowledge about the challenges and rewards of temporary assignments, adapting to different practice environments, managing travel, and navigating the lifestyle.
Experienced staff physicians can provide a perspective on the long-term commitments and benefits associated with a permanent position within a healthcare entity including patient care continuity, professional development, and work-life balance.
New physicians or those seeking an alternative opportunity can use the wisdom and expertise of seasoned practitioners to better understand the demands and opportunities of both roles, enabling them to make an informed choice that is best aligned with their personal and professional goals.
Tools and Resources for Further Exploration
For more information and resources on finding a locum tenens or staff position, the following organizations or sites may be helpful:
- PRNHealthcare
- How to Network as a Locum Tenens Professional
- Top Locum Tenens Agencies
- Locum Tenens Job Board
- The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations
In conclusion, while both locum tenens physicians and staff physicians contribute to healthcare, important differences exist in their roles and employment arrangements. Locum tenens are healthcare providers who fill temporary, short-term staffing needs, while staff physicians are permanent employees of a healthcare institution and provide ongoing medical care within their specific specialty. Understanding these differences can help a healthcare organization.