Because locum tenens (temporary) contract healthcare jobs are plentiful and the pay can be higher per hour than W2 staff jobs, more physicians than ever are choosing to work locums. Locum tenens work can be financially lucrative, professionally rewarding, and personally satisfying – especially when you’re working locums as a side supplement to a full-time job.
Here are a few perks to working locum tenens on the side:
Picking up extra shifts means earning extra money.
Working locums in conjunction with a full-time job is a great way to maximize your income. Says Dr. Tina M., an ER physician, “I started working locums while I was working full time to help pay off my medical school debt faster. By picking up locums shifts in addition to my salary, I was able to pay back my debt in less time than I originally planned. My debt’s paid off, and I still pick up shifts to add to my income.”
You can easily work locums around your own permanent schedule.
Many practitioners work locums shifts on the weekends, during vacation time, or over the holidays.
You can enhance your clinical skills.
Many physicians will pick up locums jobs to gain hands-on experience in diverse practice areas. Working locums is a great way to improve your skills in different settings that are outside of your full-time work environment. “I work in a busy, urban NICU most of the month,” says Sandra B., a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist (CRNA). “But then I work locums jobs in a rural area to help serve that underserved population, while expanding my experience. It’s a win for me.”
Locums as a side job can expose you to different specialties and ways of delivering care.
Says Dr. Louis N., a pediatric anesthesiologist, “Working jobs on the side enables me to work with various patient populations, which I greatly appreciate. It’s having the best of both worlds; I can practice in other places, while working the full-time job I have at home.”
You can travel to different parts of the country, from rural to urban, and everywhere in between.
Says Dr. Charlie V., a psychiatrist, “I work for a large facility in the Midwest, but I locum in a hospital near a beach. I’ve also worked in places in the mountains. I love getting out of the hustle and bustle of my city and exploring other parts of the country. It actually gives me a balanced lifestyle. It’s a change of pace when I need it.”
You can help prevent burnout.
Sometimes working in a new environment can give you fresh perspective and alleviate any potential boredom or burnout from working your full-time job.
How to work locum tenens on the side:
- Connect with an experienced locum tenens recruiter to get started. At Consilium, we can find jobs for you that fit your requirements and preferences, whether you want a locum tenens job close to home or one that is far away. We’ll help with our white-glove service, from submitting your application to licensing and credentialing. We even take care of travel arrangements and medical malpractice insurance.
- Don’t forget to read what you need to know about taxes. When you work locum tenens, you’re working as an independent contractor. You will need to send the IRS your estimated tax payments for your locum tenens jobs quarterly via 1099. This will be in addition to your W2 employment.
- Take a look at your calendar for the whole year, so you can coordinate the logistics of working contract jobs around your permanent work. You could work weekends, holidays, or even just a few extra shifts a month to fit your needs – while you’re helping out another facility and patients.
Consilium can help you find opportunities that will align with your current schedule and goals. Let’s get started today.
