Curious about locum tenens work? Learn what it means and how it can give healthcare professionals freedom and flexibility.

What Does Locum Tenens Mean?

The term locum tenens is Latin for “to hold the place.” In healthcare, it refers to physicians or providers who temporarily fill in for others due to vacancies, vacation coverage, maternity leave, or staffing shortages.

Locum tenens providers work on a contract basis — sometimes for a few days, sometimes for months. Assignments can be in rural hospitals, urban medical centers, outpatient clinics, or specialty practices.

Who Works Locum Tenens?

Locum tenens work appeals to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:

• New graduates seeking experience before settling into a full-time role
• Mid-career providers looking to supplement income or avoid burnout
• Retired physicians who still want to practice occasionally
• Travelers who enjoy seeing new cities and healthcare environments
• Providers waiting for state licenses or green cards

Whether you're full-time locums or just taking a few contracts per year, locum tenens offers unmatched flexibility.

Benefits of Locum Tenens Work

• High Pay: Because you’re filling a gap, many locum positions offer above-average hourly or daily rates.
• Travel Opportunities: Assignments can take you across the country, letting you explore new cities and communities.
• Schedule Control: You choose when and where you want to work — whether that’s once a month or full-time.
• Reduced Admin Burden: No office politics, long-term patient panels, or billing headaches.
• Test Before You Commit: Locums can be a great way to “try out” a hospital or geographic region before signing a permanent contract.

Locum Tenens After Residency

Many residents jump into locum tenens right after training. Why? Because it offers:

• Higher short-term pay to start paying off student loans
• Exposure to a variety of practice environments
• A break before committing to a long-term contract
• Time and flexibility to explore fellowship options

If you’re just finishing residency, Odyssey Staffing can help match you with the right opportunities — with full support on licensing, credentialing, and housing.

Odyssey Makes it Easy To Get Started

1. Submit your CV to our quick apply form, its only takes 5 seconds!
2. Speak with a dedicated Odyssey recruiter about your goals and availability
3. We help with licensing and credentialing paperwork
4. We help you choose assignments that fit your lifestyle and interests

It’s that easy — and you’ll never feel like you’re doing it alone. Our recruiters and credentialing team walk you through every step.