[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":338},["ShallowReactive",2],{"headerMenu":3,"blog-article:the-real-pros-and-a-few-honest-cons-of-locums-work":38,"footerMenu":322},{"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":261},{"_createdAt":40,"_id":41,"_rev":42,"_system":43,"_type":46,"_updatedAt":47,"author":48,"categories":65,"content":75,"excerpt":244,"headerImage":245,"metaDescription":250,"metaKeywords":251,"metaTitle":252,"openGraphImage":253,"openGraphImageUrl":248,"publishedAt":257,"slug":258,"tags":7,"title":260},"2025-11-08T02:21:22Z","e96ccbe8-0d43-4931-a270-d27b80afd313","dn8BbxMLFkAnWF6guVAUzB",{"base":44},{"id":41,"rev":45},"rQDYlzr3cjthlhaKytPyQh","article","2025-11-08T02:53:59Z",{"_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},"2025-10-31T15:46:16Z","e71a85b0-39f4-48e8-bcae-da68102d8c0e","ZehUxuDOtAx2Z2lmyTc9mV","category","2025-10-31T15:46:43Z","Green ","black","Sycamore Insights",[76,87,95,103,112,120,128,136,144,151,158,166,174,182,190,197,204,212,220,228,236],{"_key":77,"_type":78,"children":79,"markDefs":85,"style":86},"a67e606eb1f9","block",[80],{"_key":81,"_type":82,"marks":83,"text":84},"cfedbade01c30","span",[],"Locums life isn’t for everyone — but for many physicians, it’s the most freeing, rewarding way to practice medicine. You call the shots, set your own schedule, and choose where and when you work. And at Sycamore, we’ve built our entire model around helping physicians make the most of that freedom — without the stress that sometimes comes with it.",[],"normal",{"_key":88,"_type":78,"children":89,"markDefs":94,"style":86},"9139a06d1362",[90],{"_key":91,"_type":82,"marks":92,"text":93},"dccd6bb421e80",[],"Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of locums from a real-world perspective — and how the right partner can make all the difference.",[],{"_key":96,"_type":78,"children":97,"markDefs":102,"style":86},"f7bba8182c9b",[98],{"_key":99,"_type":82,"marks":100,"text":101},"1aafe7daaa070",[],"",[],{"_key":104,"_type":78,"children":105,"markDefs":110,"style":111},"10cf70108175",[106],{"_key":107,"_type":82,"marks":108,"text":109},"dbcdbbd752510",[],"The Pros",[],"h3",{"_key":113,"_type":78,"children":114,"markDefs":119,"style":86},"ae1fd7a58ec5",[115],{"_key":116,"_type":82,"marks":117,"text":118},"aac69a957c340",[],"You’re in charge of your schedule. No more fighting for vacation requests or pulling extra shifts to make up for someone else. You decide when to work, when to rest, and how much you want to take on.",[],{"_key":121,"_type":78,"children":122,"markDefs":127,"style":86},"c91adb797aec",[123],{"_key":124,"_type":82,"marks":125,"text":126},"c83b198fb8230",[],"You can negotiate higher pay. Locums doctors often earn more per shift than their full-time counterparts. You’re able to negotiate based on your experience and availability — not on a salary grid.",[],{"_key":129,"_type":78,"children":130,"markDefs":135,"style":86},"c4767ce529a2",[131],{"_key":132,"_type":82,"marks":133,"text":134},"017195c2fcbf0",[],"You get to travel and explore. From mountain towns to coastal hospitals, locums work lets you see the country while making a meaningful impact where you’re needed most. Some of our physicians treat it like a working adventure — discovering new places and communities along the way.",[],{"_key":137,"_type":78,"children":138,"markDefs":143,"style":86},"bf7bbdbf1b4f",[139],{"_key":140,"_type":82,"marks":141,"text":142},"31ef3719d7af0",[],"You stay independent. No long contracts, no politics, no pressure to sign with a single group. You decide who you work with and how your career evolves. That kind of autonomy is rare in medicine — and it’s exactly what draws so many physicians to locums work.",[],{"_key":145,"_type":78,"children":146,"markDefs":150,"style":86},"ed7525675fb4",[147],{"_key":148,"_type":82,"marks":149,"text":101},"a63fd40152fb0",[],[],{"_key":152,"_type":78,"children":153,"markDefs":157,"style":86},"ebb09a11668d",[154],{"_key":155,"_type":82,"marks":156,"text":101},"b316ffd92e4d0",[],[],{"_key":159,"_type":78,"children":160,"markDefs":165,"style":111},"a65c21210bc1",[161],{"_key":162,"_type":82,"marks":163,"text":164},"a4ec8633ce890",[],"The Cons — Real Talk From the Locums Life",[],{"_key":167,"_type":78,"children":168,"markDefs":173,"style":86},"008ad6ccb404",[169],{"_key":170,"_type":82,"marks":171,"text":172},"41b529f0054e0",[],"Credentialing takes time, patience, and organization. Between hospital applications, COIs, and privileges, keeping up with multiple sites can get messy fast. We know it can test your patience, which is why we handle it differently. For our Ambassador partners, we move them to the front of the line — giving their paperwork priority attention so they can start faster. Our secure app keeps everything organized in one place, and our concierge team is always just a message away to help you track, update, or submit anything you need.",[],{"_key":175,"_type":78,"children":176,"markDefs":181,"style":86},"f756f2887bfc",[177],{"_key":178,"_type":82,"marks":179,"text":180},"3a52659398b10",[],"Licensing can feel like a second job. We get it — every state has its own process, and it can be overwhelming. Our professional services team can take care of licensing for you, helping you expand your reach without the paperwork headache.",[],{"_key":183,"_type":78,"children":184,"markDefs":189,"style":86},"d232df12a777",[185],{"_key":186,"_type":82,"marks":187,"text":188},"811af945ad0a0",[],"Scheduling can be unpredictable. Sometimes groups fill their schedule or cancel shifts — it’s part of the locums reality. But you shouldn’t be left in the dark. That’s why Sycamore takes a more strategic approach. We don’t just react; we stay ahead of it. Our team monitors scheduling patterns, stays in touch with facilities, and helps you line up new opportunities before gaps happen. We’re proactive about keeping your calendar full — with transparency and advocacy at the center of everything we do. (You can read more about that in our article on Keeping Your Schedule Full).",[],{"_key":191,"_type":78,"children":192,"markDefs":196,"style":86},"d46ef0f343f7",[193],{"_key":194,"_type":82,"marks":195,"text":101},"7d9133f93c0c0",[],[],{"_key":198,"_type":78,"children":199,"markDefs":203,"style":86},"b2253f9f842a",[200],{"_key":201,"_type":82,"marks":202,"text":101},"865ed55f01a80",[],[],{"_key":205,"_type":78,"children":206,"markDefs":211,"style":111},"5ceb4abe97ae",[207],{"_key":208,"_type":82,"marks":209,"text":210},"0b1c56ce19d80",[],"The Bottom Line",[],{"_key":213,"_type":78,"children":214,"markDefs":219,"style":86},"902c2a6fb978",[215],{"_key":216,"_type":82,"marks":217,"text":218},"08a0bf2410140",[],"Locums work comes with flexibility, freedom, and incredible opportunity — but it also requires the right support system. That’s where Sycamore’s concierge approach changes everything. We help you earn more, stress less, and feel fully supported — every shift, every step of the way.",[],{"_key":221,"_type":78,"children":222,"markDefs":227,"style":86},"3f5bfb224d83",[223],{"_key":224,"_type":82,"marks":225,"text":226},"d35b430608720",[],"Whether you’re exploring locums for the first time or ready to take your career to the next level, we’ll make sure the experience feels effortless, personal, and rewarding.",[],{"_key":229,"_type":78,"children":230,"markDefs":235,"style":86},"8881cbe1494b",[231],{"_key":232,"_type":82,"marks":233,"text":234},"4c841fc905670",[],"Because at Sycamore, we don’t just place physicians — we take care of them.",[],{"_key":237,"_type":78,"children":238,"markDefs":243,"style":86},"6d155d4bf6c9",[239],{"_key":240,"_type":82,"marks":241,"text":242},"104aff5e11440",[],"\n",[],"Freedom, flexibility, and a few curveballs. Here’s what every physician should know about the real locums experience.",{"_type":56,"alt":246,"asset":247,"caption":249},"A physician sitting on a couch looking tired after a long shift, reflecting the realities of locum tenens work.",{"url":248},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/5f009536106821805d680f426392b4dda77b1b2c-5260x3507.jpg","Locums life offers freedom, but it also comes with challenges only the right partner can help you navigate.","Locums work offers freedom and flexibility. Sycamore’s concierge approach helps physicians overcome challenges and build a rewarding locum tenens career.","locum tenens, locums work, pros and cons of locum tenens, physician career, independent physicians, Sycamore Independent Physicians, locum tenens lifestyle, concierge staffing, physician support, credentialing, licensing, scheduling, medical staffing, locum physician jobs, physician flexibility, locum tenens agency alternative","The Real Pros and Cons of Locums Work | Sycamore",{"_type":56,"asset":254},{"_ref":255,"_type":256},"image-5f009536106821805d680f426392b4dda77b1b2c-5260x3507-jpg","reference","2025-11-08T02:21:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":259},"the-real-pros-and-a-few-honest-cons-of-locums-work","The Real Pros (and a Few Honest Cons) of Locums Work",[262,279,295],{"_id":263,"author":264,"categories":267,"excerpt":269,"headerImage":270,"publishedAt":275,"slug":276,"title":278},"19674157-7064-4995-a011-8d8c1812a037",{"image":265,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":266},{"url":58},[268],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"Locums is like being a guest in someone’s home. Be gracious, don’t critique the food, and be the doctor they’re excited to invite back. Your reputation saves your seat at the table.",{"_type":56,"alt":271,"asset":272,"caption":274},"Dinner table place settings representing hospitality and being a welcome guest as a locums physician.",{"url":273},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/5454441ecac6763afd8cc4144a0e11f53832420b-3840x5760.jpg","Good manners go a long way in locums","2025-12-09T15:23:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":277},"locums-etiquette-be-a-gracious-guest","Locums Etiquette: Be a Gracious Guest",{"_id":280,"author":281,"categories":284,"excerpt":286,"headerImage":287,"publishedAt":291,"slug":292,"title":294},"fde74a88-bf07-45c8-84c1-952a1fcae1f3",{"image":282,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":283},{"url":58},[285],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"Locums work gets a bad rap. We’re breaking down the biggest myths — and sharing what’s really true for today’s physicians.",{"_type":56,"alt":246,"asset":288,"caption":290},{"url":289},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/d6259bb743f523917abcd53cb8cedec9d69a46e9-4160x6240.jpg","Behind every myth is a story worth setting straight.","2025-11-08T02:44:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":293},"the-truth-behind-locums-work","The Truth Behind Locums Work",{"_id":296,"author":297,"categories":300,"excerpt":302,"headerImage":303,"publishedAt":318,"slug":319,"title":321},"6b1a55db-408f-4109-b40f-291b1a10d98a",{"image":298,"name":59},{"_type":56,"asset":299},{"url":58},[301],{"_createdAt":67,"_id":68,"_rev":69,"_type":70,"_updatedAt":71,"backgroundColor":72,"borderColor":73,"textColor":73,"title":74},"Freedom in locums work starts with strategy. Staying active at multiple sites builds stability, strengthens relationships, and keeps opportunities open. ",{"_type":56,"alt":304,"asset":305,"caption":307,"crop":308,"hotspot":312},"Locum tenens physician schedule ready for shifts at multiple hospitals",{"url":306},"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/mo3apquc/production/eed1f879ea491a4374e9f84bc0ce27b0a3d4ac1d-4309x6463.jpg","Flexibility begins with preparation.",{"_type":309,"bottom":310,"left":310,"right":310,"top":311},"sanity.imageCrop",0,0.512859903665413,{"_type":313,"height":314,"width":315,"x":316,"y":317},"sanity.imageHotspot",0.47016147791353424,1,0.5,0.7649192610432329,"2025-10-31T16:06:00.000Z",{"_type":61,"current":320},"keeping-your-schedule-full-why-multiple-privileges-matter","Keeping Your Schedule Full: Why Multiple Privileges Matter",{"items":323,"title":337},[324,326,328,331,333,334],{"internalPage":325,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":15},{"parentPage":7,"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":327,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":20},{"parentPage":7,"slug":18,"title":19},{"internalPage":329,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":26},{"parentPage":330,"slug":24,"title":25},{"slug":13,"title":14},{"internalPage":332,"link":7,"subItems":7,"title":10},{"parentPage":7,"slug":8,"title":9},{"internalPage":7,"link":34,"subItems":7,"title":35},{"internalPage":7,"link":335,"subItems":7,"title":336},"/contact","Contact","Footer",1792785216375]