What is a Locum Tenens?
A locum tenens is a professional who fills in for someone else, providing the same service for the same fee. Locum tenentes may be used for teachers, police officers, lawyers, and members of the clergy, but work as a locum tenens is most commonly associated with people in the medical field. A locum tenens doctor may be needed for any number of reasons, ranging from a regular doctor’s vacation to an unfilled position which needs to be temporarily occupied. In Latin, this term literally means “one who holds a place.” Depending on where one is in the world, people may use the shorthand “locum” to refer to someone filling a temporary position, and “locums” in the plural. In regions where people are sticklers about their Latin, the plural “locum tenentes” may be used. Terms like “substitute teacher” may be used to talk about specific professions. A doctor who works as a locum tenens may do so through a professional organization which places locums, or he or she may work independently, filli
