Surgery Locum Tenens Jobs
General and Specialty Surgeons for Military, VA, and Civilian Hospitals
Apply NowSurgical Locum Tenens Opportunities
AIMS Locum Tenens places general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and urologists at military treatment facilities, VA Medical Centers, and civilian hospitals across the country. Surgical specialties are among the highest-demand and highest-compensated locum tenens positions.
Premium Compensation
Among the highest-paying locum tenens specialties available.
$250–$500/Hour
Competitive hourly rates depending on specialty, location, and facility type.
All Surgical Specialties
General, orthopedic, vascular, cardiac, neuro, plastic, and urologic surgery positions.
50 States
Surgical positions available across all 50 states at premier facilities.
Why Surgeons Choose Locum Tenens
Locum tenens surgery offers surgeons unparalleled flexibility, premium compensation, and the opportunity to practice in diverse settings — from rural critical access hospitals to major military medical centers. AIMS Locum Tenens handles licensing, credentialing, malpractice coverage, housing, and travel so surgeons can focus entirely on patient care.
Place general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, urologists, and more.
Access placements at military treatment facilities, VA surgery centers, Level I trauma centers, civilian hospitals, and specialty surgical centers. Government positions often offer highest compensation.
All surgery placements include malpractice coverage, housing allowances, travel reimbursement, and 24/7 recruiter support. We manage all logistics so you focus on your surgical practice.
Your Surgical Staffing Partner
AIMS Locum Tenens specializes in surgical staffing across government and civilian facilities. Our recruiters understand surgical practice and work to match surgeons with premier facilities aligned with their clinical interests.
Credentialing Support You Can Trust
Credentialing is the gateway to any locum tenens placement. AIMS Locum Tenens manages the entire process on your behalf, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and rapid approval:
Primary Source Verification
We directly verify your medical degree, training, and board certifications with issuing institutions and databases, eliminating delays.
License & DEA Management
Current, unencumbered state medical licenses and DEA registrations in the assignment state are verified and maintained throughout your tenure.
Malpractice History Review
Clean malpractice records are standard; any historical items are reviewed transparently and managed with facilities in advance.
Hospital Privileging
Upon placement, we coordinate directly with hospital credentialing committees to expedite temporary and full privileges, minimizing delays to first shift.
Typical Timeline: Submission to active credentialing status is 4–6 weeks for civilian facilities, 6–8 weeks for government facilities due to additional background requirements. AIMS manages all touchpoints.
Compensation & Malpractice Coverage
Surgery compensation at AIMS ranges from $250–$500 per hour, depending on specialty, location, facility type, and assignment length. Government facility assignments typically pay 10–20% higher rates than civilian facilities.
All AIMS placements include occurrence-based malpractice coverage with tail protection. Surgeons are named insureds under AIMS' professional liability policies, eliminating out-of-pocket malpractice costs. Coverage meets hospital credentialing requirements.
For assignments beyond 100 miles of your primary residence, AIMS covers hotel lodging and provides travel stipends. Many surgeons leverage housing subsidies to extend assignments and increase earnings.
Total Compensation Calculation: AIMS surgeons earn not just hourly wages—factor in paid credentialing time, housing allowances, malpractice inclusion, and benefits. Many surgeons find total compensation 20–40% higher than their employed counterparts.
How to Get Started
Joining AIMS Locum Tenens is streamlined and straightforward:
1. Initial Consultation
Connect with our surgical recruitment team. We discuss your specialties, geographic preferences, assignment duration, and compensation expectations. No pressure—we match placements to your priorities.
2. Application & Documentation
Submit your CV, medical school transcript, board certification(s), state license(s), DEA registration, and malpractice history. Our team reviews completeness and guides any clarifications.
3. Credentialing Initiation
We submit your complete credentialing package to the target facility. Throughout the 4–8 week process, we manage all communications and follow-up with credentialing committees.
4. First Assignment
Once credentialed, you begin your assignment. AIMS provides ongoing support: scheduling, payroll processing, benefits coordination, and clinical question escalation when needed.
Why Surgeons Choose AIMS Locum Tenens
- Prime Contractor Status: As an MQS NG prime contractor, AIMS has direct access to military and VA staffing requirements, meaning more premium placement opportunities.
- WOSB/EDWOSB Certified: Our small business status strengthens relationships with government facilities and opens exclusive procurement pathways.
- 15+ Years of Excellence: Since 2013, AIMS has placed 1,000+ healthcare professionals in mission-critical roles, building institutional knowledge and facility relationships.
- Malpractice Coverage Included: Unique in the industry—AIMS covers your malpractice insurance, eliminating a major out-of-pocket expense.
- Transparent Compensation: No hidden fees, no surprise deductions. What we quote is what you earn, plus transparent add-ons for housing and travel.
- 24/7 Provider Support: When issues arise during your assignment, AIMS' support team responds within hours—not days. We're invested in your success.
- Career Flexibility: Whether you want a 2-week gap-fill or a 12-month government contract, AIMS supports every timeline.
- Credentialing Excellence: Our credentialing team works directly with hospital committees to expedite approvals—many surgeons are working within 3–4 weeks of assignment start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be boarded to work locum tenens?
Board certification is preferred but not always required. Board-eligible surgeons can work at civilian facilities; government facilities (military, VA) typically require board certification or a clear pathway to certification. AIMS evaluates each case individually.
How long are typical surgical assignments?
AIMS accommodates assignment lengths from 1 week to 12+ months. Military and VA placements often span 6–12 months; civilian surgical assignments range from 2 weeks to 3 months. We work around your schedule.
What if I haven't worked locum tenens before?
AIMS specializes in onboarding first-time locum tenens surgeons. We provide detailed orientation, ensure credentialing support, and assign a dedicated provider advocate to ease the transition. Many of our most successful long-term partners started as first-time locums.
Do you cover malpractice insurance?
Yes. All AIMS placements include occurrence-based malpractice insurance. Tail coverage is included. You are named under AIMS' professional liability policies at no cost to you.
Can I request specific geographic regions?
Absolutely. AIMS places surgeons nationwide, but we prioritize your geographic preferences. Whether you want military hospitals in California or VA facilities in the Southeast, we work within your parameters.
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AIMS Locum Tenens is your partner in career flexibility, premium compensation, and mission-critical work. Start your placement journey today.
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