Quick Summary
Freedom, travel, and high pay. But at what cost? A guide to the itinerant life of a locum surgeon.
Locum Tenens: The Freelance Surgeon
"Locum Tenens" implies "Holding the Place." You are the substitute teacher of the surgical world. It is a booming industry.
The Pros
$$$
Higher Daily Rate
0
Politics
100%
Schedule Control
Travel
Locations
- Financials: You can earn 30-50% more than a salaried employee because you have no benefits/overhead.
- Freedom: Don't like the hospital? Finish your contract and never go back.
- Clinical: You just operate. You don't sit on committees.
The Cons
- Loneliness: You are always the "new guy." You eat dinner alone in a hotel.
- Instability: If you get sick or break your thumb, you earn $0.
- Complications: Managing complications is hard when you leave town on Friday. You rely on the permanent staff to cover for you, which can cause friction.
Best Practices
- Golden Weekend Rule: Never leave a fresh post-op complication for the weekend guy without a detailed handover and a personal phone call.
- Be Adaptable: Don't demand your specific brand of glove or suture. Use what they have.
- Paperwork: Get your billing/dictations done before you leave the building.
Try Before You Buy
Locums is a great way to "audit" a hospital before signing a permanent contract.
Locum Agency Ratings
See which agencies pay on time and cover malpractice tail insurance.
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