Locums CME #76 | Locum Tenens Assignment Fit, Choosing a Locums Agency, Tax Prep for Locums & More

Editor’s Note

Providers considering locum tenens today are weighing more than pay alone. Together, assignment fit, agency relationships, communication demands, and career stage shape the success of a locum engagement. As workforce pressure persists across the US, clinicians are seeing that flexibility works best when paired with clarity, preparation, and realistic expectations about how each assignment actually runs.

This edition explores the decisions that help physicians and APPs build more sustainable locum careers. We begin with a practical framework for choosing assignments that align with workflow, support structure, and schedule realities, not just compensation. Additional stories examine how clear patient communication improves outcomes and efficiency, how agency selection can shape the entire experience, and why early preparation is critical for providers entering locums during or after residency. Together, these perspectives reinforce that success in locum tenens depends as much on operational readiness as on clinical skill.

Across these themes runs a consistent message: specifics create leverage. Whether clarifying contract details, evaluating recruiter responsiveness, protecting personal time, or planning for taxes and insurance, clinicians who approach locum tenens strategically tend to build more sustainable careers. In a model defined by movement, preparation remains the most reliable way to stay in control.

The Locumpedia Editorial Team

Lead Story

How I Choose the Right Locum Tenens Assignments: A Guide from My Time on the Road

February 20, 2026 | Aya Locums

“Assignment shopping” is an enjoyable activity that also involves taking a good look at the real-world demands that can shape your experience. This post outlines a practical way to choose work that fits, focusing on the factors that often determine whether a locum opportunity runs smoothly, especially when expectations are vague or overlooked. Start with where you want to be, then get specific about the practice setting, daily workflow, and how the schedule actually runs. A checklist mindset is essential, because “we’ll figure it out” could turn into handling unexpected issues at 2 a.m.

A key theme is the significance of confirmation over assumption. Guaranteed hours, call expectations, and housing and travel arrangements are core elements of the agreement, not minor details. Support at the site matters just as much, especially if you’re early in your locum tenens career or transitioning to a different facility type. Culture fit is also identified as one of the hardest variables to predict, making thoughtful, explicit questions to recruiters especially important.

Use this as a pre-commitment filter. If you can’t get clear answers about workload, coverage expectations, and onboarding support, treat that as meaningful information. Locums work rewards speed, but clinicians who thrive long-term are those who lock down particulars before they pack a bag.

Your Locums Prescription

Health Literacy in Locum Tenens: How Clear Communication Builds Patient Trust

March 2, 2026 | Barton Associates

Clear communication is a critical tool for locum tenens providers who must establish trust quickly in unfamiliar settings. Using plain language, confirming understanding, and avoiding assumptions can reduce confusion, prevent misinformation, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship from the first encounter.

Because locum assignments often involve brief interactions and new patient populations, misunderstandings may not have a chance to correct themselves over time. Intentional communication strategies help patients leave visits with well-defined next steps while allowing providers to work more efficiently and confidently in temporary roles.

The Nurse Practitioner’s Locum Tenens Guide: How to Choose a Locums Agency

March 2, 2026 | CompHealth

For nurse practitioners entering or expanding in locum tenens work, choosing the right staffing firm can significantly shape the experience. A strong agency serves as a long-term partner, helping match assignments to career goals while managing licensing, credentialing, and logistics. Key factors to evaluate include reputation, responsiveness, transparency, and the level of support provided throughout each placement.

Asking targeted questions before committing can clarify how a firm operates and what kind of guidance you can expect across assignments. Topics such as credentialing timelines, onboarding processes, compensation structure, and multi-state licensing support are especially important for NPs building a sustainable locum career. The right fit can simplify transitions between roles and provide consistent support as experience grows.

How to Prepare for a Locum Tenens Assignment During (or After) Residency

February 26, 2026 | SCI Anesthesia Services

For residents and new attendings, locum tenens work can provide a flexible way to transition into independent practice while exploring different settings. Preparation is essential, particularly for credentialing and licensing, which can take weeks or months to complete. Assembling documents early, securing responsive references, and developing a clear licensing strategy can help prevent delays and speed placement.

Clarifying your priorities for location, schedule, pace, and facility type also improves the likelihood of a strong first match. New physicians should allow time to adjust to unfamiliar teams and workflows while building confidence in working autonomously. Support from an experienced staffing partner can further ease the transition by guiding logistics and expectations throughout the assignment.

AI on Call

• Amazon Web Services has introduced Amazon Connect Health, an AI platform designed to automate administrative tasks such as patient verification, scheduling, documentation, and coding.
• Experts warn that “automation complacency” may arise as AI becomes embedded in clinical workflows, potentially allowing subtle errors to go unnoticed and affect patient safety.
• Traditional HIPAA-style compliance may no longer be sufficient for healthcare AI, with growing calls for continuous governance as systems evolve after deployment.
• Many healthcare AI tools fail after deployment when they are not well integrated into clinical workflows or daily practice.

Wellness Retreat

The Hidden Cost of Uncompensated Work on Physician Burnout

March 5, 2026 | KevinMD

Uncompensated work is deeply embedded in medical culture, where responding to messages after hours, attending meetings on days off, teaching, and administrative tasks are often treated as professional obligations rather than optional contributions. Over time, this hidden workload can erode well-being, contribute to burnout, and strain personal relationships, even when the work itself is meaningful. The issue is not generosity, but the expectation that unpaid labor should be routine and unquestioned.

Awareness and intentional decision-making are presented as key steps toward healthier boundaries. Physicians may still choose to volunteer time or expertise, but doing so deliberately rather than from obligation or fear of judgment helps preserve energy and engagement. For clinicians pursuing locum tenens work, clarity about expectations and responsibilities can support more sustainable practice patterns across assignments.

Turning Physician Burnout Insights Into Systemwide Change

March 3, 2026 | American Medical Association

Confluence Health’s approach to physician well-being demonstrates how data-driven organizational changes can reduce burnout at scale. By analyzing survey results and workflow patterns, leaders identified administrative burden, particularly EHR-related messaging, as a major contributor. Targeted improvements such as optimized workflows, clearer policies, and better use of staff support reduced physicians’ daily EHR time and improved satisfaction across the system.

The initiative also highlights the role of leadership development, communication, and recognition in sustaining well-being. Tracking retention data and engaging doctors directly helped identify actionable strategies to support clinicians and strengthen organizational culture. For providers considering new roles or locum tenens assignments, evidence of concrete, system-level efforts to address workload and support staff can signal a healthier practice environment.

Doctors’ Notes

Locum Tenens Guide to 2026 Tax Prep

February 26, 2026 | Hayes Locums

Locum tenens physicians and advanced practice providers typically work as 1099 independent contractors, making them responsible for self-employment taxes, federal income taxes, and often state taxes in multiple jurisdictions. Preparing in advance can reduce stress and help avoid costly mistakes, especially for clinicians whose income comes from multiple assignments throughout the year. Key steps include understanding tax obligations, planning for quarterly estimated payments, and working with an accountant experienced in healthcare.

Maintaining organized records of income, expenses, and reimbursements is essential for maximizing deductions and ensuring accurate filing. Tracking work-related costs such as travel, licensing fees, equipment, and insurance throughout the year simplifies the process and supports financial confidence at tax time. With consistent documentation and professional guidance, providers can navigate tax season more efficiently and focus on their clinical work.

Insurance and Income Protection Every Doctor Should Know

March 5, 2026 | The White Coat Investor

Physicians face unique financial risks because their earning potential is often their most valuable asset. The White Coat Investor looks at core protections such as disability insurance, umbrella liability coverage, malpractice insurance, and the role of life insurance in safeguarding long-term financial stability. The emphasis is on prioritizing coverage for high-impact events that could significantly affect income or assets.

Clinicians working locum tenens should understand how coverage applies across different assignments. Malpractice arrangements, benefits, and income continuity can vary by contract, making personal policies a critical complement to employer-provided coverage. Reviewing what protection is in place before starting an assignment can help ensure consistent financial security throughout a mobile career.

A Career in VC + Women’s Health Investing

March 10, 2026 | YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Alice Zheng, Venture Capital Partner at Foreground Capital, to discuss career pathways at the intersection of medicine, public health, and venture capital. Dr. Zheng shares her journey from clinical training to consulting and investment, offers perspective on the current state of women’s health funding, and explains how physicians can contribute expertise to the startup ecosystem. The conversation also outlines the venture capital life cycle from investment through exit and emphasizes the importance of defining professional goals before entering the field.

Doctors exploring nontraditional career paths will find multiple ways to engage beyond full-time clinical practice, including advisory roles, consulting, or hybrid careers that combine medicine with business or innovation. It also addresses practical considerations around balancing clinical responsibilities with venture work and how physicians can position their skills to create broader impact.