At Aya Locums, we’ve seen a steady increase in providers who are deliberately building locums into their broader career plans. Some combine it with fellowships, others use it to test-drive new practice environments, and many pair it with telemedicine or family commitments to create a better life-work balance.
If you’re ready to explore this path, here are five key tips to help you get started:
1. Define your goals and priorities
Before you start applying for locum assignments, take time to outline what you’re hoping to achieve. Are you looking to:
- Continue earning while working less?
- Explore different regions or practice settings?
- Carve out time for family, travel or passion projects?
- Transition gradually into retirement?
A portfolio career can help you do all of that — but your goals should guide the decisions you make. Locum tenens is especially beneficial if flexibility and variety are high on your list. With assignments available nationwide, you can choose when, where and how you work.
2. Understand your tolerance for variables
One of the biggest shifts from a traditional role to a portfolio career is the move from predictability to possibility. You may have variable income, changing work environments and nontraditional benefits to plan for.
To prepare:
- Budget for downtime between assignments.
- Look into private insurance options.
- Get familiar with taxes for independent contractors (many locum tenens roles are 1099, while others can be W-2, depending on the state).
While this added responsibility might seem daunting at first, it also opens doors to high earning potential and autonomy. Aya Locums offers access to opportunities with transparent pay and concierge-level support to help guide you through the process.
3. Find the right partners
You don’t have to navigate a portfolio career alone. Successful locum providers often rely on a trusted network, including:
- A reputable staffing agency, like Aya Locums, to handle credentialing, licensing and transportation & housing logistics.
- A tax professional who understands self-employment deductions and quarterly payments.
- A financial advisor to help plan for retirement or sabbaticals.
- A career coach, mentor or peer network for ongoing guidance and support.
The right team can make your transition smoother and help ensure you’re maximizing every opportunity — not just clinically, but financially and professionally.
4. Stay open-minded and ready for change
The beauty of a portfolio career is that it evolves with you. You might start with weekend locum shifts, then later explore telehealth, teaching, consulting or even nonclinical leadership roles. The key is to remain open to the many possibilities that exist throughout healthcare.
Each experience you gain, whether in a rural hospital, urban trauma center or academic setting, builds your skillset and adds depth to your professional story.
Locum tenens is especially valuable in this regard. It allows you to experiment with different roles and settings without long-term commitment, helping you figure out what works best for you.
5. Invest in lifelong learning
In a portfolio career, your greatest asset is you—so keep sharpening it by perfecting your locum tenens CV, earning new certifications, attending conferences, and taking on short-term leadership roles; every skill you master amplifies your versatility and marketability.
Locum assignments can provide a front-row seat to emerging practices and diverse clinical teams. Take advantage of those experiences to grow your knowledge and broaden your expertise.
Share post