What Are the Duties of Locums?

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Locum, or locum tenens, is a term used for a worker who is temporarily substituting for someone else. This term is most commonly associated with doctors and clergy but also includes the legal and educational fields. Locum tenens is Latin and means "one holding a place."

Doctors

Doctors can lend a temporary hand.

Locum physicians work in all aspects of medicine, but are primarily used in general practice. Terms of duty typically run from four to 52 weeks.

Requirements

Requirements to be a locum doctor

According to the Locum Tenens Guide, locum physicians must have current licensure in the fields they apply for and in the states where they will practice. They also must be able to pass a drug-screening test and a criminal background check, and must have no suspended or revoked licenses. Individual states may have additional requirements.

The Clergy

Pastors and priests fill in where needed.

Locum clergy fill in for pastors and priests. According to the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, the bishop appoints a locum priest to perform the duties of a rector as specified in a "Letter of Agreement."

Contracts

Terms of the job

The locum's terms of employment are written into a contract. The contract covers not only pay, but also hours of coverage, holidays and expense reimbursement. According to the Locum Tenens Guide, items such as bonuses, housing, benefits, malpractice insurance and termination terms are also included.

Employment Agencies

Employment agencies find the help.

Other than clergy, most locum positions are filled through employment agencies. Agencies provide the screening and testing of individuals. They also ensure all the required documents are available. Employers need only request help and provide the specific job requirements to the agency.

References

• Merriam-Webster Online: Locum definition

Resources

• Locum Tenens Guide
• The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas: Canons, pg. 2