Why are Locum Tenens Vital for Healthcare Facilities and Rewarding for Providers?

The healthcare industry is changing. With provider shortages growing, the population aging and needing more care, and a higher demand across specialties, the pressure on healthcare facilities is setting in.

The U.S. could be short up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Healthcare isn’t slowing down, but there just aren't enough doctors to go around. That’s where Advanced Practice Providers, especially NPs and PAs, come in. Locum APPs ensure patients continue to get quality care.

Let’s look at why locum tenens PAs and locum tenens NPs are vital for healthcare facilities, and how working locum tenens can be a win-win for APPs.

Why Healthcare Facilities Depend on Locum APPs

Filling Gaps in Patient Care

Healthcare facilities turn to locum APPs so patient care doesn’t stop during staffing shortages. According to a 2024 CHG Healthcare report, 82% of healthcare facilities use locum tenens to fill provider vacancies. Since these vacancies can take months to find permanent replacements, locum tenens fill that gap.

Without locum tenens stepping in temporarily to cover, patients would have delayed access to care, potentially impacting their health outcomes. Locum tenens NPs and PAs fill this gap until permanent hires are made.

Addressing Provider Shortages

Beyond stepping in for temporary vacancies, locum tenens also help combat long-term provider shortages. The biggest gaps are in specialties like psychiatry, primary care, and hospitalist medicine, areas where facilities struggle the most to find permanent staff. With locum tenens, facilities are able to provide quicker services, especially in underserved areas or during peak seasons.

Take an urgent care clinic, for example. When flu season hits and patient volume spikes, the staff can quickly become overwhelmed. Instead of stretching the core staff too thin, clinics can bring in a locum APPs to help manage the workload.

Relieving Financial Loss from Understaffing

An unfilled provider position at a facility impacts their financial income. Close to half of healthcare organizations use locum tenens so they don’t lose money from understaffing . Each opening that’s left unfilled means fewer patient visits, fewer procedures, and less to bill for. Facilities that use locum tenens can make more money than those that leave the position unfilled.

Covering for Permanent Staff

Even when facilities aren’t dealing with provider shortages, they need locum coverage for things like vacations, parental leave, or medical leave. By bringing in locum APPs, facilities can maintain patient care and keep the permanent staff from being overburdened by the leave of their co-workers.

Reducing Burnout

Clinician burnout has become a rising issue with heavier workloads and long hours required to keep up with demand. Facilities have started using locum providers to balance workloads for their permanent staff. With the help of temporary support from locums, the full-time teams get a break. This helps to reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction.

Enhancing Staffing Flexibility

Another major perk for facilities: flexibility. Locum tenens gives facilities flexibility so they can test new services or expand operations without committing to long-term hires. According to CHG, About 17% of facilities use locums to pilot new clinics before making permanent decisions.

Locum Tenens: A Rewarding Path for APPs

We’ve covered why facilities are relying on locum tenens, but what’s in it for providers?

For APPs, working locum tenens offers lots of benefits:

Flexibility and Independence – Locums gives providers more control to choose their schedules, which gives more work-life balance.

Competitive Pay– Locum tenens typically pay higher rates while also providing additional money for housing, travel stipends, and other benefits. Bill S., Managing Partner at Opportunity Healthcare, states “Our experience shows that locum assignments generally pay 15%-25% more than comparable full-time staff positions.”

More Experience – Providers get experience in new settings, from small clinics to major hospitals. This broadens the skillset and strengthens the resume.

Professional Growth – New places means meeting new people, which gives providers the opportunity to grow their professional networks, learn new skills and explore different career opportunities for the long-term.

Less Administrative Burden – Unlike permanent staff, locum tenens have more focus on direct patient care. So, less paperwork and administrative tasks.

Of course, some APPs are hesitant to try locums, they worry about job stability or the hassle of onboarding and credentialing. These are reasonable concerns, but the demand for locums is growing, so there will be no shortage of opportunities. Working with top locum agencies to help with licensing, credentialing and logistical support will make the process far less daunting and help the transition into locum work seamless.

Finding the Right Locum APP Positions

There are lots of resources out there for providers who want to start working locums. Reputable locum agencies and travel nurse agencies can be a great resource to help providers find locum or contract positions for them. Providers can also utilize locum job boards to explore openings on their own.

The Future of Locum Tenens

The demand for locum tenens is more than just a temporary fix for shortages, it’s changing the way facilities approach staffing. For APPs, this shift is creating more opportunities. With locum tenens, facilities get the coverage they need, and providers get more flexibility and higher pay.

Locum Tenens with Opportunity Healthcare

If you’re searching for locum jobs that align with your career goals, Opportunity Healthcare is here to support your journey. Our dedicated recruiters understand your unique qualifications and career goals, ensuring that each job we offer is an ideal fit. We prioritize professional growth, job satisfaction, and seamless experience with each assignment.