[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":279},["ShallowReactive",2],{"headerMenu":3,"blog-article:money-talks-how-to-negotiate-locums-rates-that-stick":38,"footerMenu":263},{"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":211},{"_createdAt":40,"_id":41,"_rev":42,"_system":43,"_type":46,"_updatedAt":47,"author":48,"categories":65,"content":75,"excerpt":195,"headerImage":196,"metaDescription":200,"metaKeywords":201,"metaTitle":202,"openGraphImage":203,"openGraphImageUrl":199,"publishedAt":207,"slug":208,"tags":7,"title":210},"2025-11-11T23:22:21Z","c9fd0802-080d-497b-9349-c8e5ddf47de4","vvKXgj6F1YeKTqwLIUNuvV",{"base":44},{"id":41,"rev":45},"QdRv7qiP9o3SVUHwqLDJ3Q","article","2025-11-19T15:05:16Z",{"_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",[76,88,96,104,112,120,129,139,147,155,163,171,179,187],{"_key":77,"_type":78,"children":79,"markDefs":86,"style":87},"151106a1b6ad","block",[80],{"_key":81,"_type":82,"marks":83,"text":85},"46023a9bcdd90","span",[84],"strong","Let’s talk money, everyone’s favorite part, right?",[],"normal",{"_key":89,"_type":78,"children":90,"markDefs":95,"style":87},"b1841b8a95d7",[91],{"_key":92,"_type":82,"marks":93,"text":94},"8d37d0a380570",[],"Negotiating locums rates can feel like walking a tightrope. You want to earn what you’re worth (and you should), but you also want to stay competitive enough to actually get on the schedule. That’s where a little strategy and the right partner makes all the difference.",[],{"_key":97,"_type":78,"children":98,"markDefs":103,"style":87},"ff0b1fb6d48f",[99],{"_key":100,"_type":82,"marks":101,"text":102},"db9a1b664fbc0",[],"Here’s the truth: facilities cut the highest paid doctors first. You might get that baller rate approved, but as soon as credentialing wraps up, three other doctors with lower rates are ready to go, and guess who’s going to hit the schedule first? The ones who cost less. Or, you may work a few months and make a great impression, but as soon as the facility hires a full time doc, those higher rate locums are the first to go, no matter how much everyone loves them.",[],{"_key":105,"_type":78,"children":106,"markDefs":111,"style":87},"64f23b63e194",[107],{"_key":108,"_type":82,"marks":109,"text":110},"65cb30f3147c0",[],"So, it’s not just about getting the biggest number. It’s about getting the right number. A rate that’s strong, fair, and sustainable, one that keeps you booked and keeps the facility happy. That’s where Sycamore comes in. We advocate for you. We know what the market can bear, and we’ll negotiate the best possible rate without pricing you out of the game.",[],{"_key":113,"_type":78,"children":114,"markDefs":119,"style":87},"10df0b4259ac",[115],{"_key":116,"_type":82,"marks":117,"text":118},"7496456c3d730",[],"And unlike most of our competitors, we’re not padding our margins at your expense. When you work with Sycamore, you’ll always know what we’re making from the deal. We believe in full transparency, because trust starts with honesty. A fair deal for you and a fair deal for the client means everyone wins, and you stay on the schedule.",[],{"_key":121,"_type":78,"children":122,"markDefs":128,"style":87},"15f1806484e4",[123],{"_key":124,"_type":82,"marks":125,"text":127},"d752aadd55b00",[126],"em","Now, let’s talk strategy.",[],{"_key":130,"_type":78,"children":131,"level":136,"listItem":137,"markDefs":138,"style":87},"8e51e4810aeb",[132],{"_key":133,"_type":82,"marks":134,"text":135},"702264cb5de00",[],"Commit to more shifts. If you’re willing to take six or more shifts a month, ask about a volume based rate increase. Many facilities will bump your rate by 20 percent if they know they can count on you for consistent coverage. They get stability on their schedule, and you get guaranteed income at a higher rate.",1,"number",[],{"_key":140,"_type":78,"children":141,"level":136,"listItem":137,"markDefs":146,"style":87},"a76f4a15cb30",[142],{"_key":143,"_type":82,"marks":144,"text":145},"615ec5540d6d0",[],"Be flexible with nights and weekends. These are gold. Every facility struggles to fill them, so if you’re open to working off peak shifts, ask about a premium rate. The best way to negotiate is to know their pain points first, ask what’s hardest for them to fill, then step in as the solution.",[],{"_key":148,"_type":78,"children":149,"level":136,"listItem":137,"markDefs":154,"style":87},"70fbb2d40302",[150],{"_key":151,"_type":82,"marks":152,"text":153},"a273dace86a50",[],"Factor in travel costs. Sometimes it makes sense to cover your own expenses in exchange for a higher hourly rate. A slightly higher bill rate with no hotel or mileage reimbursements can still put you ahead financially. It’s all about thinking creatively and knowing what matters most to you.",[],{"_key":156,"_type":78,"children":157,"level":136,"listItem":137,"markDefs":162,"style":87},"d0232e17721e",[158],{"_key":159,"_type":82,"marks":160,"text":161},"bcf6021ee9220",[],"Offer long term availability. If you can give them your schedule six months out, that’s a big selling point. Facilities love predictability. You might even lock in a premium rate for committing early and saving them the headache of scrambling for coverage later.",[],{"_key":164,"_type":78,"children":165,"level":136,"listItem":137,"markDefs":170,"style":87},"c2cd1e4c8c1b",[166],{"_key":167,"_type":82,"marks":168,"text":169},"71e727a7df1a0",[],"Know your value and communicate it. At Sycamore, we don’t just send a rate and a CV. We pitch you. We highlight your strengths, professionalism, and experience because we work with the best physicians in the industry, and that demands a higher rate. The more you share with your Placement Coordinator about your unique skills, certifications, and successes, the stronger your profile becomes.",[],{"_key":172,"_type":78,"children":173,"markDefs":178,"style":87},"3d92115016ea",[174],{"_key":175,"_type":82,"marks":176,"text":177},"68f2bcce8dc80",[],"Negotiation isn’t just about pushing for more. It’s about creating a partnership that lasts. With the right balance of confidence, flexibility, and transparency, you’ll not only earn well, you’ll stay in demand.",[],{"_key":180,"_type":78,"children":181,"markDefs":186,"style":87},"91e7ebb2c6cd",[182],{"_key":183,"_type":82,"marks":184,"text":185},"75d6b632280c0",[],"At Sycamore, we’ll help you do just that.",[],{"_key":188,"_type":78,"children":189,"markDefs":194,"style":87},"5fc170d6b581",[190],{"_key":191,"_type":82,"marks":192,"text":193},"ecbb5424109e0",[],"\n",[],"That “baller rate” might look great on paper, but if it prices you off the schedule, nobody wins. Learn how to find the sweet spot that keeps you paid well and booked solid.",{"_type":56,"alt":197,"asset":198,"caption":7},"pot of change with a plant",{"url":199},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/36b07e75f55a77d87ddbc94c84a943ac83b8a53f-4990x3327.jpg","Discover how to earn more without pricing yourself off the schedule. Sycamore shares real-world tips for fair, transparent locums rate negotiations.","locum tenens, locums pay, locum rates, physician pay negotiation, negotiating locums rates, locums salary, Sycamore locum tenens, physician compensation, locums career tips, how to negotiate locum pay, fair locums rates, locum agency transparency, Sycamore physicians","How to Negotiate Better Locums Pay | Sycamore",{"_type":56,"asset":204},{"_ref":205,"_type":206},"image-36b07e75f55a77d87ddbc94c84a943ac83b8a53f-4990x3327-jpg","reference","2025-11-11T23:22:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":209},"money-talks-how-to-negotiate-locums-rates-that-stick","Money Talks: How to Negotiate Locums Rates That Stick",[212,229,246],{"_id":213,"author":214,"categories":217,"excerpt":219,"headerImage":220,"publishedAt":225,"slug":226,"title":228},"af2dc3f7-5d65-44e0-ac20-d0ee7c263c6d",{"image":215,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":216},{"url":58},[218],{"_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":221,"asset":222,"caption":224},"Country road leading into the distance, representing opportunities for physicians building experience in emergency medicine and locum tenens work.",{"url":223},"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":227},"the-road-to-er-locums-isn-t-always-a-straight-line","The Road to ER Locums Isn't Always a Straight Line.",{"_id":230,"author":231,"categories":234,"excerpt":236,"headerImage":237,"publishedAt":242,"slug":243,"title":245},"c63c18a3-487d-4a90-aa12-faef5722454a",{"image":232,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":233},{"url":58},[235],{"_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":238,"asset":239,"caption":241},"Emergency medicine physician reviewing a busy schedule and managing locum tenens shifts.",{"url":240},"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":244},"your-reputation-is-currency-why-being-easy-to-work-with-pays","Your Reputation Is Currency: Why Being Easy to Work With Pays",{"_id":247,"author":248,"categories":251,"excerpt":253,"headerImage":254,"publishedAt":259,"slug":260,"title":262},"ed327a14-aaa6-4166-a542-22d653e9e6b2",{"image":249,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":250},{"url":58},[252],{"_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":255,"asset":256,"caption":258},"Chess pieces on a board representing strategy, timing, and market dynamics that influence locum tenens physician pay.",{"url":257},"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":261},"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":264,"title":278},[265,267,269,272,274,275],{"internalPage":266,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":15},{"parentPage":7,"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":268,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":20},{"parentPage":7,"slug":18,"title":19},{"internalPage":270,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":26},{"parentPage":271,"slug":24,"title":25},{"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":273,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":10},{"parentPage":7,"slug":8,"title":9},{"internalPage":7,"link":34,"subItems":7,"title":35},{"internalPage":7,"link":276,"subItems":7,"title":277},"/contact","Contact","Footer",1792785216363]