Locum tenens gastroenterology jobs offer a unique way to achieve better work-life balance, set a more flexible schedule, earn a competitive salary while traveling, and sharpen your skills. Check out this beginner’s guide to locum tenens gastroenterology to get started.
What is locum tenens?
Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that translates to “hold the place of.” In healthcare, it refers to providers who accept temporary jobs at different facilities. Gastroenterology locum tenens jobs allow you to:
- Fill in for a gastroenterologist who is on an extended vacation or taking medical or family leave
- Provide temporary coverage while the facility hires a full-time physician
- Support hospital staff during high patient census periods (flu season, for example)
- Offer healthcare to patients in rural areas who don’t have regular access to a doctor
How do I find locum tenens gastroenterology jobs?
There are gastroenterologists who look for locums jobs on their own, but with it comes extra paperwork and expenses you'll have to incur. Locums agencies typically relieve you of the administrative burden and expenses, and they often have locums jobs that may not pop up when you search for jobs on your own.
If you do choose to work with an agency, here are just a few things to expect: a recruiter will ask about your preferences, begin searching for jobs that fit your requirements, and send any possible leads your way. If you decide to apply for a job, the recruiter submits your CV and works with the hiring manager to set up an interview.
What should I look for in a locum tenens agency as a gastroenterologist?
Since there are many agencies to choose from, it’s important to find one that is reputable and trustworthy. First, check out the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), which requires its members to uphold high industry standards and follow a code of ethics. Agencies listed as members in their directory must adhere to the NALTO requirements.
Pair with the right partner: How to choose a locums agency
Second, look for an agency that supports your specialty and has locum tenens gastroenterology jobs available. Ask whether your recruiter has expertise in gastroenterology and confirm whether positions are limited to one region of the country or are located nationwide. If you plan to work only in a few states, a smaller agency may be a good fit. However, if you’d like to travel to multiple regions, you may need to look for a larger agency with stronger connections to healthcare facilities.
What are the benefits of working with a locum tenens agency?
In addition to looking for jobs that interest you, locum tenens agencies often provide other services, including:
- Licensing and credentialing help
- Transportation to and from your assignment and while you’re working (including airfare and rental cars)
- Housing
- A 24/7 hotline to call if you experience an issue
Because agencies have relationships with hospital hiring teams, they sometimes receive news of openings before facilities post them on their website or online job boards. Your recruiter can also help you prepare for your interviews and get all the necessary paperwork for hiring.
Don't navigate locums alone: 7 reasons you should work with an agency
What is gastroenterology locum tenens pay like?
Locum tenens gastroenterology pay depends on your location, shift, and patient load. Currently, the Midwest has the most gastroenterology locum tenens jobs, followed by the Southwest.
Gastroenterology locums pay is deposited weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the agency. You’ll also work with the agency and facility to determine whether you earn an hourly or daily rate during the assignment.
Dr. Robert Brenner, a gastroenterologist based in California, enjoys working two weeks on and two weeks off at his locum tenens assignments to pay off debts and save more for retirement.
How do taxes work for gastroenterology locum tenens jobs?
You work as an independent contractor when taking locum tenens gastroenterology jobs, which means that you’ll receive a 1099 form to report your income, instead of a W-2 form as you would as a hospital or clinic employee.
Because you'd be an independent contractor, your taxes are not automatically taken from your paycheck, so you must pay both Social Security and Medicare taxes. You’ll also pay an estimated tax payment four times a year.
Since taxes can be confusing if you haven’t worked as an independent contractor before, it can be helpful to consult an accountant who can answer your questions.
Plan ahead: What to know about taxes as a 1099 locum tenens physician
What benefits do I have with locum tenens gastroenterology?
If you work with an agency, they will generally cover the following expenses:
- Housing: Your agency will typically pay for a standard hotel room (not including room service or other amenities) or a fully furnished apartment or home, depending on the length of your assignment. Tell your recruiter if you’ll be bringing family or a pet along, and they can often accommodate you. However, you may pay more for a larger living space or for pet fees.
- Travel: Many agencies have travel teams that will book your plane ticket for you (again, you’ll pay more to fly in first class or for amenities) and also get you a rental car if you need one. If you’re driving your own car, they may reimburse you for the mileage to and from your assignment.
- Medical malpractice insurance: A perk of working with a large agency is not having to worry about paying insurance premiums. You’ll generally be protected by both claims-made and tail coverage, which cover legal fees and potential settlements.
- Licensing, credentialing, and privileging costs: If you’re becoming licensed in new states, those fees can add up. Many agencies cover the application, delivery, and verification costs.
It’s important to know that locum tenens gastroenterology jobs do not include traditional benefits such as medical and dental insurance, short-term disability, 401(k) plans, or life insurance. You’ll need to get health insurance and retirement accounts through a spouse or partner’s employment or through an independent marketplace.
How do gastroenterologists use locum tenens in their careers?
Locum tenens gastroenterology offers a distinct career path for several reasons.
Setting a more flexible schedule
Serving people in need in Paraguay on a medical mission made Dr. Bhavesh Shah, a Michigan native, more interested in a flexible schedule that could allow him to do more humanitarian work.
“There’s no way you can take two weeks off to do this and then another week off to recover if you have a ‘normal’ job, whatever you call it. I was a medical director and managed 140 people, and you can’t do that without stressing out about what’s going on when you’re gone.”
Having more uninterrupted time with family
Aging parents and new additions to Dr. Brenner’s family made it clear that he needed a career that could allow him to be around more. “My wife’s mom was turning 80 and starting to fray on the edges a little bit, and we went from one grandchild to three grandchildren."
Easing into semi-retirement
Dr. Brenner closed his full-time practice in San Diego after 26 years and plans to continue working his limited two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off schedule until he retires.
“I don’t plan to go back to a permanent job like I had the rest of my career. As long as locums works, I’ll keep doing that.”
Making room for travel
Ditching the 9 - 5 has allowed Dr. Shah to enjoy a better lifestyle as a gastroenterologist.
Working part-time after retirement
After spending his first three months of retirement on a sailboat in Alaska, Dr. Duane Webb, a gastroenterologist from Washington, realized he wanted to keep working—at least a bit.
“I was able to sign on as a part-time physician in a locums capacity, and that worked out very well. I don’t know if I am ever going to try full-time retirement again; it didn’t work out for me,” he says. “I got a little restless and felt I needed to get back in the workplace. I did not want to lose my skills.”
What should I consider before working in locum tenens gastroenterology?
If you’re interested in taking locum tenens gastroenterology jobs, the following can help you decide if assignments are right for you:
Start small. Before signing on the dotted line for a six-month commitment, try working for a weekend or a few weeks as a locum tenens provider. See how the first assignment goes and take a break in between if you need to.
Give yourself time to plan. Many recruiters suggest working with them at least six months in advance so you can find a job and complete the licensing and credentialing process.
Go with the flow. Dr. Webb notes what he refers to as the three As—available, affable, and able—as characteristics of a good locum tenens physician.
“You are judged almost immediately when you walk in the door by how you interact with people and what impression you give professionally. A locum has to realize that they are not there to rearrange the furniture in the house; they are there as guests. If you are a reformer or revolutionary in terms of a medical practice you are in, it may not be the best fit,” he says.
Whether you want a fresh start, a chance to supplement your income, a way to travel the world, or a flexible schedule that allows you more time with family and friends, locum tenens gastroenterology jobs could be the career option you’ve been waiting for.