What is locum tenens?

Locum tenens explained

Locum tenens means “to hold the place of.” In healthcare, it describes qualified professionals who provide temporary coverage for an organization while working on a defined assignment.

How a locum tenens assignment works

The process brings a healthcare organization, a qualified professional, and a staffing partner together around a specific coverage need.

01

Tell us what you want

Share your credentials, preferred schedule, location, setting, and professional goals.

02

Review the opportunity

Discuss the role, assignment length, responsibilities, schedule, compensation, and requirements before deciding.

03

Complete onboarding and begin

Finish the required screening and credentialing steps, then start your assignment with clear expectations.

Temporary coverage with lasting value

Locum tenens helps organizations maintain access to care during vacancies, leaves, demand changes, or recruitment transitions. For professionals, it can offer a flexible way to gain experience and serve new communities.

Choice

Select suitable roles

Variety

Experience new settings

Impact

Help sustain patient care

Why professionals consider locum tenens

The right assignment can support professional growth, lifestyle priorities, and a broader view of healthcare delivery.

Schedule flexibility

Consider assignments that work with your preferred availability and career stage.

Broader experience

Learn from different teams, patient populations, workflows, and care environments.

Career exploration

Evaluate new locations and practice settings before making a longer-term commitment.

Purposeful coverage

Step into a real staffing need and help teams maintain dependable patient access.

Is locum tenens right for you?

Successful locum professionals are clinically prepared, adaptable, organized, and comfortable joining new teams. Every assignment has its own eligibility, licensing, and credentialing requirements.