Locum tenens—a term derived from Latin "to hold a place"—refers to temporary healthcare professionals who fill staffing gaps at hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. Unlike permanent positions, locum tenens work is inherently flexible, short-term, and project-based. This guide explains what locum tenens is, how it works, and whether it's right for your career.
Definition & History
Locum tenens literally means "to hold the place." In healthcare, a locum tenens provider temporarily fills a clinical role—whether physician, nurse, therapist, or technician—while a facility's regular staff member is unavailable. Assignments range from days to years, though 2–12 week placements are most common.
Locum tenens practice has roots in medicine dating back decades, but it gained prominence in the 2000s as healthcare staffing became more specialized. Today, locum tenens is a multi-billion-dollar sector, supporting healthcare systems nationwide and offering professionals unprecedented career flexibility.
How Locum Tenens Assignments Work
The typical locum tenens process includes: (1) Consultation with a staffing agency about your specialty and preferences; (2) Credentialing verification and background check; (3) Matching with an appropriate facility based on your skills and location preferences; (4) Hospital credentialing or privileging (2–4 weeks for civilian, 4–8 weeks for government); (5) Your assignment begins; (6) Agency manages scheduling, payroll, and ongoing support; (7) Assignment ends, and you're matched with the next opportunity—or take a break.
Assignment Duration & Types
Locum tenens assignments vary widely:
- Short-term (1–4 weeks): Gap-fill assignments covering unexpected leaves or seasonal surges.
- Medium-term (1–3 months): Project-based work, vacation coverage, or transition periods.
- Long-term (6–12+ months): Permanent position trials or extended government contracts.
Some professionals piece together multiple 2–4 week assignments throughout the year. Others take a single 12-month government contract, then take months off. The flexibility is unprecedented in traditional healthcare employment.
Specialties Across Locum Tenens
Locum tenens spans all healthcare disciplines: physicians (emergency, internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, etc.), nurses (RN/LPN, specialty units), and allied health (PT, OT, respiratory therapy, laboratory technicians, etc.). Some specialties—emergency medicine, psychiatry—have particularly robust locum tenens markets due to chronic staffing shortages.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Higher hourly compensation, flexible scheduling, career variety, geographic flexibility, avoiding burnout, maintaining clinical skills, and student loan payoff opportunities.
Cons: Less job security than permanent employment, self-directed benefits management, potential for gaps between assignments, and variable facility environments.
Who Locum Tenens Is Right For
Locum tenens works well for professionals seeking flexibility, career exploration, or higher earning potential. It's ideal for those transitioning between jobs, taking sabbaticals, or wanting to avoid a single healthcare system. First-time locum professionals find supportive agencies and facilities accommodate their transition.
Getting Started with AIMS Locum Tenens
Call our recruitment team to discuss your specialty, preferences, and goals. We'll guide you through credentialing, match you with appropriate opportunities, and support your assignment from start to finish. Locum tenens is an accessible, rewarding career path—and AIMS makes the transition smooth.