Provider-centric staffing for purpose-driven healthcare™
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Maintaining consistent clinical coverage is a constant challenge for healthcare organizations—especially during provider absences, seasonal volume surges, or while recruiting for permanent staff. You may have heard of temporary providers stepping in to help maintain continuity during these gaps—but how does locum tenens work in practice?
Rooted in the Latin phrase meaning “to hold the place of,” locum tenens is a flexible staffing model that allows qualified clinicians to fill short-term or long-term roles. It’s a strategic tool that helps facilities avoid care disruptions, support staff well-being, and maintain operational stability.
This article breaks down how the locum tenens process works—from initial engagement to placement—and why it’s become an essential part of workforce planning across today’s healthcare landscape.
In healthcare, locum tenens refers to physicians, advanced practice providers, and other clinical professionals who take on temporary assignments to fill staffing gaps. These assignments can range from a weekend ER shift to a year-long coverage plan for a specialist on sabbatical.
Originally used in primary care settings, the model has expanded to support nearly all specialties—including internal medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. Today, it’s a versatile tool for health systems seeking clinical stability without long-term overhead.
Locum tenens staffing has grown beyond short-term coverage. Rising demand for specialists, the need for staffing flexibility, and the increasing mobility of the medical workforce have made it a go-to solution for systems of all sizes.
Beyond physicians, staffing firms now routinely place:
This expansion has increased the value of locum tenens as a comprehensive coverage solution across service lines.
Healthcare organizations turn to locum tenens for several strategic advantages:
When used strategically, locum tenens staffing not only fills gaps—it strengthens clinical operations and supports long-term workforce planning.
Understanding how locum tenens works—from engagement to placement—can help healthcare leaders implement it effectively.
The first step is working with a trusted healthcare staffing partner. Agencies handle the recruitment, vetting, credentialing, and placement process. They also align provider qualifications with your facility’s clinical needs and culture.
A quality staffing partner manages:
This ensures that internal teams can focus on care delivery while coverage needs are addressed efficiently.
Providers must meet all credentialing and licensure standards in the state where they’ll be practicing. Some states offer expedited licensure, while others require longer lead times.
Staffing agencies assist with:
This process is typically managed by the agency’s compliance team to keep timelines on track and reduce administrative strain.
Locum tenens contracts outline all key terms, including:
Facilities can negotiate certain elements to align with internal policy, including payment structures or required onboarding protocols.
One of the strengths of the locum tenens model is its ability to flex across a wide range of staffing scenarios. Here’s how it can work in different contexts:
When a facility faces sudden staffing shortfalls—due to illness, family leave, or an unexpected departure—locum tenens physicians or APPs can be deployed quickly. Many agencies specialize in rapid placement, with pre-vetted providers ready to mobilize.
Use cases include:
Agencies typically handle travel, lodging, and malpractice insurance to minimize administrative burden and enable fast onboarding.
Patient volumes often increase during flu season, summer vacation periods, or regional population surges. Locum tenens can help balance the workload without overextending your core team.
Seasonal locum coverage offers:
It’s a cost-effective way to maintain service quality and avoid staff burnout.
When a provider is out for an extended period—such as during maternity leave, a sabbatical, or prolonged illness—locum tenens can ensure uninterrupted care delivery.
Longer-term locum placements offer:
Facilities benefit from consistent staffing without the risks and delays of a full recruitment cycle.
When used strategically, locum tenens can support:
Rather than being seen as a stopgap, locum tenens is increasingly part of the broader workforce planning toolkit.
Understanding how locum tenens works is the first step in leveraging it to meet your organization’s evolving needs. Whether for short-term relief or long-term planning, locum staffing helps protect access, strengthen care delivery, and manage operational risk.
Want to explore how locum tenens can work for your facility? Partner with Caliber to build a flexible, reliable staffing solution tailored to your short- and long-term needs.
