5 Reasons Taking a Locum Tenens Position is The Right Path in Your PM&R Career

Have you ever contemplated taking on a locum tenens position as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Physician? Throughout the United States, locum tenens jobs in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are plentiful. Recently, awareness of locum tenens career options has skyrocketed as 85% of healthcare facilities utilized Physicians in locum tenens assignments to meet their staffing needs throughout the pandemic.

Locum tenens work is appealing to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians serving in various clinical settings. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians may desire more say in determining:

• Where They Work
• Which Patients They Serve
• Procedures They Perform
• Consulting Opportunities

Depending on your preferences, a locum tenens position in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation may be the right choice for you. Finding PM&R locum tenens assignments can be challenging. This explains why many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians utilize a dedicated locum tenens agency with relevant experience.

Let’s discuss the current demand for PM&R Physicians and Physiatrists in a locum tenens capacity and explore the benefits of engaging in this work.

Why Choose A Locum Tenens Position In Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians who take on locum tenens work find it extremely rewarding. The most commonly cited reasons for Physicians leaving their permanent positions for locum tenens work include:

• The Opportunity To Work With New Patients
• The Ability To Fill Much-Needed Vacancies
• A Reduced Paperwork Load
• The Expansion Of One’s Professional Network

Below are five main reasons why the locum tenens lifestyle has become so popular for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians. 

1. Locum Tenens Jobs Allow For A Flexible Schedule

With locum tenens work, you can find a position whether you have full or partial availability. Also, instead of being limited to a specific geographic area or professional network, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians working in locum tenens roles can work anywhere. 

These Physicians can also choose the length of time required in their contract. Sometimes contracts for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians are as short as a few shifts. In contrast, other Physicians with full-time availability work for several months or even years while the facility searches for a permanent replacement.

This flexibility allows Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians to accept work that fits into their schedule rather than working required weekdays with no input. This flexibility can give you more time to spend with family or other hobbies and interests. This flexibility also allows Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians to choose from a broader scope of employers. From the VA to private medical practices, many different organizations utilize locum tenens workers.‍

2. A Locum Tenens Opportunity Can Minimize Burnout

Healthcare professionals are experiencing burnout in record numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout is particularly noticeable in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation field, as it has the third-highest burnout rate of all medical specialties, even before the pandemic.

While certain realities of working in medicine will always be there, taking control of your schedule is a great way to minimize burnout. By exercising control over their hours, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians can regain more time for themselves and stop burnout before it takes over their life. Additionally, the control offered by locum tenens contracts means that you have more say in the typeof work you do. This increased control can potentially lead to increased job satisfaction overall.

3. Increased Professional Development With Locum Tenens Work 

Many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians choose locum tenens careers to keep their skills fresh. Suppose you are working in the same Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation facility and doing the same work year after year. In that case, you risk losing hands-on knowledge of other areas of your discipline. 

Also, you can work in small-town clinics, large city hospitals, or even VA facilities. This means you can put your skills where they are needed most. 

4. Locum Tenens Work Can Maximize Your Income

On average, locum tenens positions pay $32.45 more per hour than the equivalent permanent full-time role. With locum tenens work, you can save time and work less while maintaining your lifestyle. 

If you are willing to travel and take on less-desirable contracts like those offered in rural areas, you could be looking at an even larger paycheck. Also, depending on the region, specialties that are more challenging can bring in even more money. 

There are a wide variety of locum tenens contracts available. Many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists can also opt to add supplemental contracts into their existing schedule, maximizing their income even further.

5. More Opportunities To Help Veterans With Locum Tenens Work 

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians who have experience working with veterans (typically with brain injuries) are often in high demand. More than 414,000 veterans have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. The opportunity to help veterans who have served our country is a benefit that appeals to many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists working in locum tenens positions.

Finding Work Balance With Locum Tenens Positions

While taking on locum tenens work is exciting to many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, staying up-to-date on job alerts can be challenging. Searching through pages of PM&R vacancies and reading through contracts on your own can be intimidating. These difficulties explain why many Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians work with a dedicated locum tenens agency to help them find the right jobs.

A locum tenens agency is not just a source for job alerts. At Health Carousel Locum Tenens, we can help you: 

• Create custom career plans
• Ensure maximum compensation for multiple positions
• Save time negotiating for better reimbursement for
• Travel
• Living Expenses
• Job-Related Expenses

Our experts can also help you successfully transition from one contract to another. Whether you need assistance with travel arrangements, credentialing, housing, or all of the above, we can help. We also offer highly-rated medical malpractice insurance.

Want to explore what your future job could look like in a PM&R locum tenens position? Get in touch with us today to see our available opportunities.

‍