Community health centers (CHCs) provide quality care for underserved communities. However, CHCs have more patients than doctors.
In 2024, nearly 50% of CHCs reported severe staffing gaps. Locum tenens fills these gaps and keeps essential care available.
CHC Services and Patient Reach
Community health centers provide primary care, mental health care, dental care, substance use treatment, and low-cost prescriptions. CHCs served 34 million patients nationwide in 2024, yet employed just 326,000 full-time staff.
The Health Resources and Services Administration projects that only 73% of primary care demand will be met nationally by 2037. These reports clearly demonstrate the urgent need for long-term staffing solutions.
In 2023, CHCs reported more than 43.5 million visits for mental health and substance use issues. This report shows a 54% increase from five years ago. In 2025, community health centers support more integrated teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialized nurse practitioners.
Why Staffing Shortages at Community Health Centers Persist
A 2024 Commonwealth Fund survey of community health center leaders identified persistent workforce shortages, lack of financial resources, and Medicaid redeterminations prevent efficient operations.
Medicaid revenue accounts for 42% of CHC funding. Losses in Medicaid revenue can force service reductions, program cuts, or staff layoffs.
About 20% of rural Americans live in areas with fewer than 10% of physicians, highlighting the strain on rural clinics. Despite these challenges, CHCs continue to provide high-quality care.
Reports show that rural CHCs perform on par or better than urban centers in several clinical metrics, even though workforce gaps remain a limiting factor.
CHC Physician Workforce by State (Full-Time Equivalents)
- California: 8,202 FTEs
- Missouri: 4,374 FTEs
- Texas: 4,209 FTEs
- Washington: 4,089 FTEs
- West Virginia: 3,876 FTEs
How Advanced Practitioners Maintain Patient Care
Many CHCs supplement physician shortages with advanced practice providers such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and CRNAs. While these healthcare professionals cannot fully replace physicians, they maintain patient care.
Why Community Health Centers Succeed with Locums
Including locum tenens into long-term staffing strategies helps CHCs rise above the challenges of the current healthcare landscape. Locum coverage can:
- Provide Coverage. Locum providers help existing staff manage backlogs, patient surges, or holiday absences.
- Protect Revenue. Community health centers use locum tenens to maintain or open service lines when physicians leave.
- Support Integrated Care. Locum providers enable continuity in mental health and substance use services. These services reduce emergency room visits and improve preventative care.
- Ensure Compliance. CHCs can meet state staffing requirements with locum tenens by ensuring essential team members are on-site, no matter what.
With careful preparation, community health centers can prepare for federal funding changes with locum tenens
Nevada Nonprofit Restores Access to Care with Locum Tenens
When a nonprofit clinic in Nevada lost a full-time provider, they dreaded a long waitlist or drawn-out provider search. They reached out to Consilium for help.
We matched the clinic with a qualified Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner who accepted a 12-month contract. The clinic could restore access to care for their patients and stability for their team.
Over the years, the Nevada clinic has consistently served its community well. From finding qualified providers to consulting on policy changes, Consilium maintained open communication and provided ongoing support.
Fully Staffed Community Health Centers Partner with Consilium
Across the United States, Consilium has filled thousands of days for hundreds of community health centers. Whether you need a primary care physician, mental health provider, or nurse practitioner, we can help you.
We get results, thanks to The Keystone Model. Our specialty-focused consultants work with community health centers in your state every day. They learn about what your facility truly needs. Then, our account managers connect you with qualified locum providers.
Contact Consilium to navigate community health center workforce shortages. We are your partner in locum tenens.
