[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":240},["ShallowReactive",2],{"headerMenu":3,"blog-article:locums-101-a-clear-look-at-the-benefits-and-the-challenges":38,"footerMenu":224},{"items":4,"title":37},[5,11,16,21,27],{"internalPage":6,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":10},{"parentPage":7,"slug":8,"title":9},null,"jobs","Find independent physician jobs and telemedicine jobs","Jobs",{"internalPage":12,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":15},{"parentPage":7,"slug":13,"title":14},"physicians","Claim Your Independence as a Physician","Physicians",{"internalPage":17,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":20},{"parentPage":7,"slug":18,"title":19},"hire","Hire independent locums physicians","Employers",{"internalPage":22,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":26},{"parentPage":23,"slug":24,"title":25},{"slug":13,"title":14},"telemedicine","Telemedicine Jobs","Telemedicine",{"internalPage":7,"link":28,"subItems":29,"title":36},"#",[30,33],{"internalPage":7,"link":31,"title":32},"/blog","Blog",{"internalPage":7,"link":34,"title":35},"/podcast","Podcast","Resources","Header",{"article":39,"related":172},{"_createdAt":40,"_id":41,"_rev":42,"_system":43,"_type":46,"_updatedAt":47,"author":48,"categories":65,"content":75,"excerpt":155,"headerImage":156,"metaDescription":161,"metaKeywords":162,"metaTitle":163,"openGraphImage":164,"openGraphImageUrl":159,"publishedAt":168,"slug":169,"tags":7,"title":171},"2025-12-29T17:35:24Z","e1079443-3bbe-4b4f-ab5a-419bc6990313","zsvk0f2TmLhoFWJ08evdha",{"base":44},{"id":41,"rev":45},"zsvk0f2TmLhoFWJ08denR8","article","2025-12-29T19:54:13Z",{"_createdAt":49,"_id":50,"_rev":51,"_type":52,"_updatedAt":53,"bio":54,"image":55,"name":59,"slug":60,"socialMedia":63},"2025-10-31T00:49:05Z","36780c4d-4cd4-4b24-bd22-7e4babb43cf6","MvNmR47t15uESvmPkYghGn","author","2025-10-31T00:58:00Z","Heidi Roberts has worn just about every hat at Sycamore — from recruiting, scheduling, and credentialing to account management and team leadership. Her experience building and leading recruiter training, writing operational playbooks, and refining internal processes gives her a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on what truly shapes the physician experience.\n\nShe’s passionate about making sure every doctor who partners with Sycamore feels valued, supported, and seen. Whether it’s improving systems or reimagining how Sycamore serves its physicians, Heidi’s focus is simple: create a seamless, human experience that puts doctors first.",{"_type":56,"asset":57},"image",{"url":58},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/00ed8f95761bea80c92695e1087b8c8cda37c4dd-2413x2648.jpg","Heidi Roberts",{"_type":61,"current":62},"slug","heidi-roberts",{"linkedin":64},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-b-roberts/",[66],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"2025-11-11T23:16:57Z","2d12c367-4db1-4ff3-9861-27560ee8adc0","WI0u9A1iAM1Mha5eVo6TMf","category","2025-11-11T23:17:55Z","Green ","black","Career Strategy",[76,87,95,103,123,131,139,147],{"_key":77,"_type":78,"children":79,"markDefs":85,"style":86},"2638f6cce805","block",[80],{"_key":81,"_type":82,"marks":83,"text":84},"71060d7f5aee0","span",[],"Locums, short for locum tenens, means you are stepping in temporarily to support hospitals and clinics that need additional coverage. You might work a few shifts at one hospital, a longer block at another, or rotate between several sites throughout the year. The flexibility is one of the biggest advantages. You can shape your schedule around your life rather than the other way around, and you have the freedom to explore different practice environments, teams, and communities.",[],"normal",{"_key":88,"_type":78,"children":89,"markDefs":94,"style":86},"669140aaff91",[90],{"_key":91,"_type":82,"marks":92,"text":93},"66855847ec310",[],"Because locums physicians are not tied to a single employer and often fill immediate or high priority needs, the compensation can be significantly higher than full time roles. According to the 2025 Emergency Medicine Salary Guide, full time locum EM physicians earned, on average, about 19 percent more annually than permanent EM physicians. For many clinicians, this financial boost is one of the biggest reasons they choose locums.",[],{"_key":96,"_type":78,"children":97,"markDefs":102,"style":86},"76719554c925",[98],{"_key":99,"_type":82,"marks":100,"text":101},"fc43fe2775ad0",[],"But there is an important truth that often gets overlooked. Locums work is not guaranteed. Facility needs change quickly. Budgets shift, hospitals hire full time physicians, volumes drop after a seasonal surge, and sometimes requests are canceled after credentialing has already begun. These changes are normal in the locums world, and they can happen even when everything was moving forward smoothly the week before.",[],{"_key":104,"_type":78,"children":105,"markDefs":119,"style":86},"13b3a97a156c",[106,110,115],{"_key":107,"_type":82,"marks":108,"text":109},"a840b164579d0",[],"Credentialing and scheduling add another layer of complexity. Even if you are fully credentialed at a site, actual shift availability depends on timing, volume, staffing changes, and internal preferences at the hospital. A schedule that appears wide open one week can be completely filled the next. It is not always a reflection of the physician (but if you’re not ",{"_key":111,"_type":82,"marks":112,"text":114},"a840b164579d1",[113],"d907d2d8f4bc","a gracious guest",{"_key":116,"_type":82,"marks":117,"text":118},"a840b164579d2",[],", sometimes it is). This is the nature of staffing in an unpredictable healthcare environment.",[120],{"_key":113,"_type":121,"href":122},"link","https://sycamoredocs.com/blog/locums-etiquette-be-a-gracious-guest",{"_key":124,"_type":78,"children":125,"markDefs":130,"style":86},"ed76761e3701",[126],{"_key":127,"_type":82,"marks":128,"text":129},"99c568d66bc00",[],"This is why staying closely connected with your Placement Coordinator is one of the best ways to protect your schedule and income. Keep them updated on your preferences, your timeline, your ideal roadmap, and your available windows. Talk through backup options in advance. Planning ahead means that when one site slows down, another can already be in motion. Successful locums practice is as much about strategy as it is about flexibility.",[],{"_key":132,"_type":78,"children":133,"markDefs":138,"style":86},"794c8d95c5ac",[134],{"_key":135,"_type":82,"marks":136,"text":137},"a099b99cefb20",[],"At Sycamore, our goal is to make this entire path easier for you. Our credentialing team handles applications and communicates with facilities so you do not have to. Our schedulers coordinate availability and work with hospital partners on your behalf. We stay ahead of potential roadblocks and keep communication clear so you always know what is happening.",[],{"_key":140,"_type":78,"children":141,"markDefs":146,"style":86},"1759f8b07854",[142],{"_key":143,"_type":82,"marks":144,"text":145},"6e92b17b3db80",[],"We cannot promise guarantees because guarantees do not exist in locums, but we can promise steady support, honest communication, and a team that is committed to helping you thrive in this career path. Locums can be incredibly rewarding when you have the right partnership behind you. We are here to make sure you feel seen, supported, and prepared every step of the way.",[],{"_key":148,"_type":78,"children":149,"markDefs":154,"style":86},"d34e58a9a7ce",[150],{"_key":151,"_type":82,"marks":152,"text":153},"f2899e4232db0",[],"\n",[],"Thinking about locums? Here is what the flexibility, pay, and unpredictability really look like, so you can step in with clear expectations and confidence.",{"_type":56,"alt":157,"asset":158,"caption":160},"a physician with a magnifying glass",{"url":159},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/9d6e6b4f47d683e31220ab957e825979d457bb9a-6200x4133.jpg","Getting a clearer look at what locums really involves","Discover the realities of locums work, from higher earning potential to shifting schedules. Learn how to navigate the process and set yourself up for success.","locum tenens, locums work, physician locums, emergency medicine locums, locum physician guide, locum tenens challenges, locum tenens opportunities, physician scheduling, locums credentialing, physician career flexibility, locum pay rates, locum tenens support","Getting Started in Locums: What to Expect as a Physician",{"_type":56,"asset":165},{"_ref":166,"_type":167},"image-9d6e6b4f47d683e31220ab957e825979d457bb9a-6200x4133-jpg","reference","2025-12-29T17:35:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":170},"locums-101-a-clear-look-at-the-benefits-and-the-challenges","Locums 101: A Clear Look at the Benefits and the Challenges",[173,190,207],{"_id":174,"author":175,"categories":178,"excerpt":180,"headerImage":181,"publishedAt":186,"slug":187,"title":189},"af2dc3f7-5d65-44e0-ac20-d0ee7c263c6d",{"image":176,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":177},{"url":58},[179],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"ER locums isn't always a straight path. For some physicians, experience at rural hospitals and critical access facilities can open doors and create new opportunities along the way.",{"_type":56,"alt":182,"asset":183,"caption":185},"Country road leading into the distance, representing opportunities for physicians building experience in emergency medicine and locum tenens work.",{"url":184},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/756f76e8cf55049e418196adef570dce3f48a9d2-5529x3317.jpg","Sometimes the best opportunities are found off the beaten path.","2026-06-16T15:54:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":188},"the-road-to-er-locums-isn-t-always-a-straight-line","The Road to ER Locums Isn't Always a Straight Line.",{"_id":191,"author":192,"categories":195,"excerpt":197,"headerImage":198,"publishedAt":203,"slug":204,"title":206},"c63c18a3-487d-4a90-aa12-faef5722454a",{"image":193,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":194},{"url":58},[196],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"Want more shifts? Your reputation may matter more than your CV. Discover why being easy to work with is one of the most valuable assets in locums.",{"_type":56,"alt":199,"asset":200,"caption":202},"Emergency medicine physician reviewing a busy schedule and managing locum tenens shifts.",{"url":201},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/c4f8e1040282604403c85bad4253db8722816b53-5760x3840.jpg","A strong reputation doesn't just build relationships. It builds schedules.","2026-06-04T12:35:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":205},"your-reputation-is-currency-why-being-easy-to-work-with-pays","Your Reputation Is Currency: Why Being Easy to Work With Pays",{"_id":208,"author":209,"categories":212,"excerpt":214,"headerImage":215,"publishedAt":220,"slug":221,"title":223},"ed327a14-aaa6-4166-a542-22d653e9e6b2",{"image":210,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":211},{"url":58},[213],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"In locums, the number on the rate sheet is only part of the story. Timing, flexibility, and positioning often matter just as much.",{"_type":56,"alt":216,"asset":217,"caption":219},"Chess pieces on a board representing strategy, timing, and market dynamics that influence locum tenens physician pay.",{"url":218},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/acafae967cf8ee2255e868175595a3c08b12f562-6000x4000.jpg","In locums, compensation and opportunities often reflect timing, flexibility, and individual goals.","2026-03-20T13:25:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":222},"locums-pay-isn-t-one-size-fits-all-and-that-s-a-good-thing","Locums Pay Isn’t One Size Fits All. And That’s a Good Thing.",{"items":225,"title":239},[226,228,230,233,235,236],{"internalPage":227,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":15},{"parentPage":7,"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":229,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":20},{"parentPage":7,"slug":18,"title":19},{"internalPage":231,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":26},{"parentPage":232,"slug":24,"title":25},{"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":234,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":10},{"parentPage":7,"slug":8,"title":9},{"internalPage":7,"link":34,"subItems":7,"title":35},{"internalPage":7,"link":237,"subItems":7,"title":238},"/contact","Contact","Footer",1792785216250]