You’ve made it through med school. You’ve survived clinical rotations, aced your boards, and now you’re standing at a crossroads: Which career path should you take first — Locum Tenens or a Permanent Position?
You’ve made it through med school. You’ve survived clinical rotations, aced your boards, and now you’re standing at a crossroads: Which career path should you take first — Locum Tenens or a Permanent Position?
If you’re like most new doctors, you’re ambitious, hopeful, and maybe a little overwhelmed. You’re ready to start making an impact, but you want the freedom to explore your options and make a decision that fits your lifestyle and long-term goals.
At Hubmed, we understand how big this moment is. That’s why we’re here to break it down for you. As one of the leading medical staffing platforms and a trusted US medical staffing agency, our mission is to help you confidently launch your career — whether that’s as a locum tenens physician or in a permanent hospital role.
Let’s unpack what each path offers.
What is Locum Tenens?
“Locum tenens” is a Latin term meaning “to hold the place of.” In medical staffing, it refers to temporary jobs where physicians, nurse practitioners, or PAs fill in for permanent staff on leave or to meet short-term demand.
These jobs are commonly offered through agency medical staffing firms, healthcare recruitment agencies, or medical personnel agencies like Hubmed, which connects top medical talent with opportunities across the United States.
Advantages of Locum Tenens Roles
- Freedom to Choose: Want to work in Arizona for two months, then take a break before heading to New York? With locum jobs, you can.
- Excellent Compensation: Because you’re filling urgent gaps, many healthcare hiring agencies offer high hourly or daily rates — sometimes even more than permanent roles.
- Broaden Your Clinical Skills: Working in different locations and systems gives you exposure to diverse patients, technologies, and administrative practices.
- No Long-Term Commitment: Perfect if you’re unsure where you want to settle or want to “test drive” a hospital or region before signing on permanently.
Drawbacks to Keep in Mind
- Limited Benefits: As a temporary worker, you may need to arrange your own health insurance, retirement plans, or malpractice coverage.
- Inconsistent Schedule: You may experience downtime between contracts.
Paperwork Overload: Every new hospital means credentialing, licensing (especially for multi-state work), and new EMRs to learn.
What is a Permanent Medical Position?
Permanent positions offer full-time, long-term employment with a hospital, health system, or clinic. You’re typically hired through medical hiring agencies, healthcare recruiters, or directly via hospital networks listed on medical employment agencies like Hubmed.
Benefits of Going Permanent
- Job Security: A consistent paycheck, steady hours, and a fixed location.
- Comprehensive Benefits: These often include healthcare, CME allowances, paid vacation, malpractice insurance, and retirement contributions.
- Professional Development: Permanent staff often have access to leadership training, research roles, and educational responsibilities.
- Stronger Community Ties: Long-term relationships with patients and colleagues can enhance professional satisfaction and mental well-being.
Challenges of Permanent Roles
- Less Flexibility: You’ll have a set schedule and fixed location, which can feel limiting early in your career.
- Slower Salary Growth: While starting salaries are solid, the pay curve may rise slower compared to locum tenens.
- Higher Workload: As part of the core team, you may be asked to cover extra shifts, take call, or serve on hospital committees.
How Do You Choose Between Them?
Here’s a quick comparison:
Factor | Locum Tenens | Permanent Position |
Flexibility | High — choose when and where to work | Low — fixed schedule and location |
Income | Often higher per diem | Consistent monthly salary |
Benefits | Usually self-managed | Employer-provided |
Growth Potential | Broad exposure, less formal structure | Clear advancement and leadership pathways |
Lifestyle Fit | Great for exploring and traveling | Ideal for settling and building a community |
If you’re still unsure, many physicians begin with med temp jobs (through a nursing temp agency or medical staff employment agency) to explore specialties and locations before transitioning into permanent roles.
Hubmed: Your Guide in a Crowded Market
Whether you’re looking for short-term contracts or long-term commitments, Hubmed helps you make informed, confident decisions. We’re not just a job board — we’re your career partner.
With Hubmed, you can:
- Explore opportunities from top healthcare staffing agencies
- Set alerts for new job listings in your area and specialty
- Access content and tools tailored to medical students and recent grads
We work with the top healthcare agency recruitment teams to ensure that every listing is verified and aligned with your career goals. Whether you’re ready for your first attending job or just starting to dip your toes into the job market, Hubmed is here to support you.
Final Thoughts: Design the Career That Works for You
The best part about being a healthcare professional today? You have options. Whether you thrive on the excitement of new places or seek the stability of a home base, your career path is in your hands.
Start with a locum tenens contract through a trusted healthcare staff agency, or jump into a permanent position with one of the many hospitals listed on our medical staffing network. Hubmed is built to support you — every step of the way.
Ready to get started? Explore open roles, speak to our recruiters, and take charge of your healthcare career at www.hubmed.ai.
Primary Sources Referenced
- AMN Healthcare – Locum Jobs vs. Permanent Placement: Know Your Options
This article provides a side-by-side comparison of locum tenens and permanent physician roles, highlighting the pros and cons of each path.
https://www.amnhealthcare.com/blog/physician/locums/locum-jobs-vs-permanent-placement-know-your-options/ - CompHealth – Locum Tenens Overview
CompHealth offers insights into the locum tenens lifestyle, detailing the flexibility and opportunities available for healthcare professionals.
https://comphealth.com/locum-tenens - Wolters Kluwer – The Pros and Cons of Locum Tenens
An in-depth look at the benefits and challenges of locum tenens work, including discussions on flexibility, pay rates, and administrative aspects.
https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/the-pros-and-cons-of-locum-tenens - CHG Healthcare – 2024 Physician Career Change Survey
A survey highlighting trends in physician career changes, providing context on the shifting landscape of medical employment.
https://blog.chghealthcare.com/physician-career-change-survey-2024/ - Jackson & Coker – Benefits of Working Locum Tenens
This resource outlines the advantages of locum tenens positions, such as travel opportunities, flexible scheduling, and skill development.
https://jacksoncoker.com/locum-tenens-benefits/ - Bureau of Labor Statistics – Healthcare Occupations Outlook
Official data on employment projections for healthcare occupations, offering insights into job growth and opportunities in the sector.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/ - NEJM CareerCenter – Career Resources for Medical Students and Residents
A comprehensive platform providing job listings, career advice, and resources tailored for medical students and recent graduates.
https://www.nejmcareercenter.org/ - American Medical Association – Starting Your Career
Guidance and resources from the AMA to assist new physicians in transitioning from residency to practice.
https://www.ama-assn.org/about/ama-career-opportunities - LocumTenens.com – 2024 Physician and Advanced Practice Salary Report
An annual survey detailing compensation trends for locum tenens and permanent positions across various specialties.
https://www.locumtenens.com/resource-center/salary-survey-reports/
