The locum tenens industry has grown in the past decade, as healthcare facilities try to fill staffing shortages in the country.
A 2023 Wall Street Journal article reported that seven percent (around 50,000) of American physicians practice medicine through temporary assignments, also known as locum tenens.
Some physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) prefer a locum tenens lifestyle because it offers a flexible schedule, provides extra income, and enhances their skills through various patients and work settings.
If you want to adopt this lifestyle and reap these benefits, start by partnering with an accredited locum tenens agency, which can connect you to the right opportunities.
Explore our list of the top locum tenens agencies in the U.S.A. and see which one suits your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Locum tenens industry growth addresses U.S. healthcare staffing shortages.
- Physicians favor locum tenens for flexibility, extra income, and skill enhancement.
- Top U.S. locum tenens agencies offer extensive support, insurance, and competitive benefits.
- Consider NALTO membership, insurance coverage, and travel assistance when choosing an agency.
Table of Contents
The Top Locum Tenens Agencies and Platforms in the U.S.A. in 2024
In no particular order, explore the top ten locums agencies in the country.
Note that the companies below are members of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), except for Cross Country Locums and AMN Healthcare.
1. Weatherby Healthcare
With 25 years of experience, Weatherby Healthcare specializes in matching physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) with facilities needing temporary staff across the U.S.
They offer short-term assignments where you can choose your preferred location, schedule, practice setting, and patient load. As a result, it gives you more flexibility with your work.
Consider getting locum tenens jobs from Weatherby Healthcare if you prefer working with a trusted partner in healthcare staffing that provides seamless care for its clients and clinicians.
Perks of joining Weatherby Healthcare
- Specialty-trained recruiters
- Dedicated support for credentialing, travel, and housing
- Malpractice insurance, including tail insurance for assignments
- Healthcare coverage
- Bridge coverage and 401(k) plan
- Simplified taxes as a W-2 employee
2. Vista Staffing Solutions
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, UT, Vista Staffing Solutions is one of the oldest locum tenens companies in the country.
They provide over 2,500 physicians across more than 60 specialties with temporary and permanent job openings from medical practices, hospitals, and government healthcare organizations.
As a founding member of NALTO, Vista Staffing Solutions is an industry leader in maintaining strict standards in locum tenens staffing.
Perks of joining Vista Staffing Solutions
- Tailored opportunities based on your expertise and experience
- Dedicated support from licensure to transportation
- Paid travel, housing, and professional liability insurance
- No placement fees
- Fair and timely rates
3. Medicus Healthcare Solutions
Medicus Healthcare Solutions has connected locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners with patients and medical facilities since 2004.
The agency offers permanent and locum tenens jobs for various specialties, including anesthesiology, family medicine, critical care, psychiatry, surgery, and more.
They’re also one of the agencies offering opportunities to work in VA hospitals, Department of Defense facilities, Indian Health Service, and tribal facilities.
Perks of joining Medicus Healthcare Solutions
- Provides an online tool for project and resource management
- Loyalty program
- A referral reward of $5,000 for physicians and $2,500 for advanced clinical practitioners if they meet the eligibility criteria
4. LocumTenens.com
Besides running the most visited job board for locum tenens jobs, LocumTenens.com offers a full-service recruitment agency for physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals.
They’re one of the few locum tenens companies that recruit and manage medical providers using onsite and virtual approaches. You’ll need to register on their website to see job postings from locum tenens companies and healthcare organizations.
Thanks to their online dashboard, locum tenens clinicians can manage their assignments, submit timesheets, process credentialing, and see their travel itineraries and details on their mobile or computer devices.
Perks of joining LocumTenens.com
- Free self-service job board
- Convenient and comprehensive online portal for clinicians
- Experienced team of agents with specialized knowledge
5. Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens
Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens has connected physicians and advanced practitioners with small and large healthcare organizations for over 40 years. It’s a founding member of NALTO and a part of Jackson Healthcare, a group of healthcare search, staffing, and technology companies.
They also partnered with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to advocate their mission to reduce burnout in the healthcare industry, protect clinicians’ well-being, and maintain job satisfaction.
Consider working with Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens if you want to explore opportunities in telehealth or the government.
Perks of joining Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens
- Custom opportunities based on your medical specialty and work preferences
- Work locum tenens positions in the government
- Virtual care solutions
- Responsive support
6. Global Medical Staffing
Global Medical Staffing is the only agency offering locums jobs in the U.S. and overseas. Working with the agency opens opportunities in Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and the United Kingdom.
However, note that an international assignment can last from a few months to more than a year, making it a life-changing move.
It’s one of the top agencies for people who want to be traveling physicians seeking challenging or unique assignments, even in underserved communities.
Perks of joining Global Medical Staffing
- Opportunities nationwide and overseas
- Pre-paid travel and housing
- Competitive compensation
- Paid AAA-rated claims-made malpractice
- Licensing assistance and cost reimbursement
7. Cross Country Locums
For over 30 years, Cross Country Locums has connected physician and advanced practice professionals with locum tenens, temporary, and permanent jobs across specialties, including OB-GYN and hospital medicine.
Consider this agency if you’re looking for competitive rates, good benefits, and full-time travel assignments with a 36- or 40-hour weekly schedule. However, note that the agency is not a member of NALTO.
Perks of joining Cross Country Locums
- Industry-competitive rates
- Travel, lodging, bonuses, and stipends, depending on the locum tenens assignment
- Weekly direct deposits
- A dedicated recruiter, credentialing coordinator, and travel agent
- Medical and dental insurance
- 401(k) plan
- Continuing education credits
- Up to a $2,000 referral reward for every person who signs up for the agency
8. CompHealth
With 45 years of experience, CompHealth is a well-known healthcare staffing agency. They help doctors, advanced practice providers, allied health practitioners, and healthcare professionals in pharmacies, medical labs, and imaging and radiology find temporary, permanent, short-term, and long-term jobs.
Despite its size, CompHealth offers free services to clinicians, including help with CV and interview preparation and contract negotiation. Consider joining CompHealth if you want to access its broad network and highly desirable job opportunities.
Perks of joining CompHealth
- Access to a vast network of facilities nationwide
- Assistance with credentialing and licensing process
- Dedicated customer service specialists
- Complimentary private housing and travel for the assignment
- Licensing fee coverage
- Malpractice coverage
- Weekly direct deposits
- Employment benefits and 401(k) matching for allied travelers
9. AMN Healthcare
With over 30 years of experience in locum tenens staffing for healthcare facilities, AMN Healthcare has become a leading total talent solutions provider in the country. They offer many short- and long-term career opportunities for healthcare professionals, including physicians, PAs, NPs, and advanced practice professionals.
Although AMN Healthcare isn’t a member of NALTO, it implements an extensive screening process and credential verification process to meet strong industry standards.
AMN Healthcare also offers various referral rewards, including up to $500 for travel nurses and per diem nurses placed in high-demand medical specialties and up to $2,500 for vascular interventional technologists and cath lab technologists.
Perks of joining AMN Healthcare
- Dedicated recruiters with personalized attention
- Competitive pay rates
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance
- 401(k) and flex spending
- Accident and short-term disability coverage
- Competitive housing deal
- Free continuing education
- Referral rewards
10. Hayes Locums
Hayes Locums is a full-service staffing firm that helps doctors and advanced practice providers find a suitable locum tenens position.
One thing that makes them stand out is their Hayes Helps program, which encourages employees and partners to give back to the local community. The company also commits to implementing equal employment opportunities.
Perks of joining Hayes Locums
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Employee assistance programs
- 401(k) with contribution
- Learning and development courses
- Mental health resources
- Paid holidays and PTO
Where to Find a Locum Tenens Staffing Agency
Here are three avenues where you can find more locum tenens agencies.
- NALTO Members List: Check the NALTO Member Directory to find companies qualified to screen clinicians and place staff jobs.
- Online Search: A quick Google search reveals various locum tenens agencies near you and online job boards for working locum tenens.
- Fellow Clinicians: Ask medical professionals who have done locum tenens work for recommendations, tips, and reviews.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Locum Tenens Agency
If you’re an aspiring locum tenens physician, PA, NP, or clinician, check the following factors when choosing a legitimate and suitable locums agency.
NALTO Membership
Aim to join locum tenens agencies with NALTO membership to ensure they know and implement best practices for locum staffing. Otherwise, it’s recommended to ask the agency for references from previously placed physicians and contact them directly for feedback.
Life, Health, and Malpractice Insurance
As an independent contractor, joining a locum tenens agency enables you to get locum tenens coverage like life, medical, and malpractice insurance. However, a few companies may not offer these benefits, so research, ask, and confirm the information before signing up.
Travel Arrangements
A locum tenens physician may need to travel for their assignment, which can increase expenses. If you’re assigned to another city or country, ensure that the agency offers assistance and payment for the housing, hotel, cab, gas, or airline ticket.
Knowledgeable and Honest Recruitment
Look for an agency with a team that understands your specialty, the recruiting party, and the industry to ensure that you find opportunities that fit you.
Also, remember that good agencies won’t charge a fee, since the client or hospital seeking a physician or advanced practitioner already paid for it.
Should You Sign Up to a Locum Tenens Agency?
There are pros and cons to a locum tenens lifestyle. Make sure you weigh the perks and disadvantages along with your current needs and goals to see if this opportunity suits you.
If you’re unsure if a locum job is the right financial move for your career, you can ask Physicians Thrive experts for advice and guidance.
Our experts also provide contract review and negotiation services, helping you ensure that a locum tenens contract is fair and legal.