In short…
- A significant shortage of emergency medicine physicians, especially in rural areas, has created critical gaps in patient access to emergency care.
- Locum tenens emergency medicine physician jobs offer competitive pay, diverse clinical experiences, and improved work-life balance for doctors seeking new opportunities.
- Emergency medicine physicians in locum tenens roles can make a significant impact on underserved communities while enhancing their long-term career prospects and adaptability.
Hospital emergency departments are at the frontlines of healthcare in the United States, acting as a critical access point for comprehensive and immediate medical care. Around 155 million people visited the emergency room in the United States in 2022, underscoring the vital role these facilities play in the nation’s healthcare system. As an emergency medicine physician, you thrive in environments like these, where quick thinking and decisive action can make all the difference in a patient’s life. But have you considered how taking locum tenens emergency medicine physician jobs in 2025 could further enhance your skills and career? Read on for five compelling reasons why taking on locum tenens emergency medicine roles is a smart move for personal and professional growth.
1. Address Critical Gaps in Patient Access
There’s a growing gap in access to emergency department services in America, especially in rural areas. A total of 136 rural hospitals were shuttered between 2010 and 2021, according to the American Medical Association, and emergency medicine physicians themselves aren’t exactly flocking to these more pastoral communities to provide care. In fact, a 2020 national study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine reveals a stark disparity: out of 48,835 clinically active emergency physicians in the United States, a whopping 92% (44,908) work in urban areas. Only 8% (3,927) serve rural communities, down from 10% in 2008.
By taking locum tenens emergency medicine physician jobs, you can play a direct role in addressing critical healthcare disparities. Locum tenens positions offer the flexibility to work in underserved areas for varying durations, allowing emergency medicine physicians to contribute where they’re most needed. While it’s not a permanent solution to the complex issue of healthcare access, locum tenens work can provide immediate relief to understaffed facilities and communities facing limited emergency care options.
2. Earn a Competitive Emergency Medicine Physician Salary
In 2024, emergency medicine physicians in the United States commanded an average annual salary of $320,700, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But, this is just an average of all emergency medicine doctors in the country—as a locum tenens provider, you could earn even more.
Our internal data shows that locum tenens emergency medicine physicians could make up to $400 an hour; however, rates depend heavily on the doctor’s experience, the assignment location, and the facility’s need for emergency medicine doctors.
Comparing earnings between permanent and locum tenens emergency medicine physicians isn’t straightforward. Permanent positions typically offer a fixed salary, while locum tenens doctors work as independent contractors, earning an hourly rate that can fluctuate based on their chosen assignments throughout the year. Additionally, while permanent positions often include benefits like paid time off and insurance in their salary structure, locum tenens providers have different arrangements for these benefits.
3. Gain Diverse Clinical Experience
As an emergency medicine physician, you’re no stranger to variety in your daily practice—but taking on locum tenens assignments can exponentially broaden your clinical experience. Each healthcare facility has its own unique patient demographics, common presenting conditions, and treatment protocols. By working in different emergency departments across various healthcare settings, you’ll encounter a wider range of medical scenarios than you might in a single permanent position.
You might find yourself managing complex trauma cases one month and addressing the nuanced healthcare needs of an underserved rural population the next. This diversity not only keeps your skills sharp across a broad spectrum of emergency medicine but also enhances your adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
Exposure to different healthcare systems and workflows can provide valuable insights into best practices and innovative approaches to emergency care. This wealth of experience will make you a more well-rounded and resourceful emergency medicine physician, potentially opening doors to leadership roles or specialized roles in the future.
4. Achieve Better Work-Life Balance
The demanding nature of emergency medicine often leaves little room for personal time. Locum tenens assignments offer a refreshing alternative, providing a unique opportunity to regain control over your schedule. By choosing when and where you work, you can craft a career that complements your personal life, rather than overshadowing it.
Wellhart’s innovative precision-matching technology takes this flexibility a step further. Our teams, augmented by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, consider your preferred locations, facility types, and career objectives to connect you with highly relevant opportunities. This personalized approach significantly reduces the time spent searching for jobs, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—delivering excellent patient care and enjoying life outside of work.
Whether you’re aiming to gain experience in specific areas of emergency medicine, explore diverse healthcare settings, or find assignments close to home, we work hard to ensure you discover opportunities that align with both your professional aspirations and personal needs.
5. Enhance Your Professional Network
Locum tenens assignments offer a unique opportunity to expand your professional network beyond the walls of a single hospital or healthcare system. As you move between different facilities, you’ll collaborate with diverse teams of healthcare professionals, each bringing their own expertise and perspectives to the table.
These connections can prove invaluable throughout your career. You’ll have the chance to learn from experienced colleagues, share your own insights, and potentially form lasting professional relationships. Each new assignment introduces you to different administrative staff, fellow physicians, and specialists, broadening your circle of contacts within the emergency medicine field.
By continuously expanding your professional network through locum tenens work, you’re not just building a roster of contacts—you’re creating a support system that can contribute to your long-term career growth as you explore emergency medicine opportunities.
Explore Wellhart’s Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Opportunities
Are you an emergency medicine physician looking to take your career to the next level? Wellhart offers a wide range of locum tenens emergency medicine opportunities that can help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you’re seeking to boost your income, gain diverse clinical experience, or find a better work-life balance, we have the perfect emergency medicine physician jobs for you.
Don’t miss out on the chance to transform your career in 2025. Take the first step towards a more fulfilling professional life by exploring our open locum tenens emergency medicine jobs today.