Compelling Reasons to Work Locum Tenens While Completing a Fellowship
It takes many years of hard work and dedication to become a doctor. After completing medical school and residency, some physicians choose to further their education by completing a fellowship.
Fellowships are an opportunity for doctors to receive specialized training in a certain area of medicine. They usually last up to 3 years and require doctors to complete additional coursework and clinical rotations.
Although completing a fellowship is a considerable commitment, many doctors choose to also work in locum tenens positions. These temporary contracts allow you to work at different hospitals, gain valuable experience, and earn extra income — while choosing your own hours and schedule.
Continue reading to learn more about the many benefits of working locum tenens while completing a fellowship.
What is a fellowship?
After completing undergraduate studies, aspiring physicians must then complete a 4-year medical school program. From there, they are required to do up to 7 years of training in a residency program of their chosen medical specialty.
During this time, residents receive intensive training from experienced doctors on how to diagnose and treat various conditions. They must then pass a series of exams to be licensed to practice medicine.
After completing their training, many doctors work in a healthcare system or establish a private practice. However, some doctors extend their training even further by completing fellowships.
Medical fellowships are highly competitive, with many qualified applicants and only a few spots available in each program. As a result, you’ll compete with the best and brightest doctors for a chance to specialize in your chosen field.
Fellowships usually last 1 to 3 years. And although the training is intense, many doctors only need to attend clinical work Monday through Friday. This leaves the weekends free to work locum tenens shifts if they choose.
What are the benefits of working locum tenens while completing a fellowship?
There are many reasons why doctors may choose to work in locum tenens positions while completing their fellowships.
For many, the extra income is a major factor. Fellowships often come with a decent salary, but it’s not always enough to cover the cost of living, especially if you have student loans to pay off. Working locum tenens can help offset these costs with an extremely competitive pay rate.
In addition, working locum tenens can help you develop your career with valuable experience, skills, and knowledge that you can apply to your future practice. You can enhance your resume and accelerate your healthcare career by working with distinct populations in various facilities and developing relationships with new patients and colleagues.
Working in a variety of medical settings allows you to learn from medical professionals from different specialties with diverse skill sets and ways of treating patients. This makes you a more well-rounded physician and helps you better understand how hospital departments work together. And it’s good to know that locum tenens clinicians tend to increase patient satisfaction ratings, meaning you could make a big difference in people’s lives.
Flexibility is another big benefit of working locum tenens. You can choose the hospital or clinics you work in and even the specific departments. You can also choose your own hours and schedule to fit around your fellowship or other family and home commitments. You can work part-time during weekends or choose PRN. Locum tenens work allows you to gain complete control over your schedule and create a work-life balance that works for you.
If you need a break, you’re free to schedule time off whenever you like, as you’re not locked into a permanent contract. It’s a great way to recharge and allow you to concentrate completely on your fellowship if necessary.
The benefits of locum tenens for fellows
Overall, working locum tenens is an excellent way to supplement your income, develop your career, and gain valuable experience while completing your fellowship. You’ll have control over your work-life balance and enjoy the flexibility to work around any commitments. And if you need a break, you can always take some time off.
If you’re interested in further deepening your medical expertise while undertaking a fellowship, consider partnering with Integrity Locums. We can help you find the perfect locum tenens opportunity to fit your needs and have a wealth of experience working with clinicians in training. Contact us today to learn more.