An increasing number of PAs are choosing to work as locum tenens because it offers greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, and competitive compensation. As more states expand the scope of practice for PAs, locums continues to create new opportunities for clinical autonomy and professional growth.
How can PAs gain more autonomy through locum tenens?
Locum tenens can help PAs gain more autonomy by allowing them to pursue assignments in states where they have a greater scope of practice—and they have the freedom to create their own schedules, too.
The physician shortage is a primary reason PAs are in high demand, and it’s creating more opportunities in healthcare facilities around the country. At the same time, more states are expanding their scope of practice for PAs. That means PAs have more opportunities available to them, and can choose to work in states where they have greater autonomy in their practice.
What are the benefits of locum tenens for PAs?
Locum tenens offers physician assistants a flexible path to increased earnings and improved work-life balance.
Many PAs continue to choose locum tenens assignments for the autonomy it provides over scheduling—while still maintaining competitive compensation. This model allows clinicians to align their professional responsibilities with personal priorities, making it an increasingly attractive option in today’s healthcare landscape.
“The flexibility is great. I get to pick the days I want to work. It [feels] surreal. The main PA I work with at my locums assignment said: You are here to help us, so we want to do what works for you. They’re so grateful for somebody to be there to help that they literally allow me to make a schedule that works for me.”
—Jody Sherman, Emergency Medicine, PA
“[Locum tenens is] very flexible, and pays really well. I can’t imagine anything else that would pay me the amount of money that locums does for the amount of time it takes, especially when it comes to short stints. It has worked out really well for me to be able to continue my regular job while taking some time off to be able to do locums as well.”
—Anthony Riffel, Cardiothoracic Surgery, PA
Locum tenens continues to experience consistent growth, creating expanded opportunities for physician assistants to explore greater autonomy in their clinical practice.
What steps should a PA take to try locums for the first time?
If you’re a PA who wants to try locums for the first time, take some time to consider your goals, and then connect with a consultant who can serve as your trusted partner in finding the locums assignments that suit your needs.
- Consider your long-term practice goals.
Are you looking to work a lighter schedule, or are you hoping to gain more experience in a busier clinical setting? If you’re early in your career, locum tenens can be a good opportunity to try various practice types before committing to one. Locums also serves as a full-time career path for some PAs if you’re ready to move away from a traditional full-time role. Locums can be a great fit for anyone at any stage of their career, but it helps to know what your goals are, so your consultant can prioritize the kinds of assignments that align with them.
- Determine your ideal schedule and assignment locations.
Knowing where and how often you want to work are the kinds of details that will help your consultant narrow in on the best positions for you. If you want to continue working full-time, but take on occasional weekend assignments, or if you want to look for assignments near family, your consultant can prioritize those options in their search. - Find a trusted locums partner to consult with you on your locums journey.
Finding a trusted consultant is the most important step to make sure you are supported throughout every stage of your locums experience. You should look for locums agencies that will treat you as a whole person, not just a potential addition to their bottom line. Look for a consultant who takes the time to get to know you and asks about your goals and priorities. You also want to look for agencies that offer support throughout the whole breadth of an assignment: before, during, and after. To learn more about what makes a good consultant, check out a testimonial from our Hayes Locums PA below!
“A big part of how I got into locums and why the transition went well was all because of [my Hayes Locums consultant]…His consistent communication made everything go smoothly. He just took care of everything.”
