8 reasons medical oncologists are choosing locum tenens work in 2025

Many medical oncologists have found the freedom to practice how they’ve always wanted to after discovering locum tenens. From more time to spend with their families to higher compensation or a more flexible schedule, here are eight reasons oncologists have chosen this alternative career choice over a traditional medical career.

1.  Improve your work/life balance

Locum tenens medical oncologists enjoy a better work/life balance since they control their schedule, which ensures enormous flexibility.

Take Dr. Sarah Ali, for instance. Dr. Ali was frustrated with the unrelenting pace of private practice. “I was getting burned out. Frankly, it was a beautiful practice, but I was seeing over 30 patients a day. I knew that there was another way,” she says.

Dr. Ali says she wasn’t actively considering locums when she first talked to a Weatherby consultant but was willing to explore it. She had been studying integrative medicine for a while and wanted to incorporate it into her oncology practice, but wasn’t sure how. Coincidentally, one of the first assignments presented to her was in a practice in Colorado where she’d get to use her newfound knowledge.

2.  Travel, meet new people, and have new experiences

Locums also allows oncologists to explore new areas. For example, Dr. Ali’s assignment in Colorado gave her time to explore the Rocky Mountains.

“Hiking, biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, there is just so much to do in Colorado in all four seasons,” says Dr. Ali. “I had so many family and friends come and visit me.”

I had originally joined on a seven-month contract, but I was enjoying the experience so much, I extended my commitment to an 11-month assignment

- Dr. Sarah Ali, Medical oncologist

3.  Renew your focus on patient care

The chance to focus on building relationships with patients rather than pushing papers and juggling administrative loads is a big part of what locum tenens oncologists love about the structure of the arrangement.

Dr. Ali says she now enjoys practicing oncology again. She sees fewer patients and has more time to nurture a stronger relationship with them. “I was able to contribute so much more meaning within each 30-minute visit, and my patients appreciated that. I want to spend quality time, not be rushed,” she says.

Working as a locum tenens oncologist allows you to focus on patient care and not have to deal with the politics and administration common in more traditional roles. It often involves fewer administrative responsibilities, such as managing staff, dealing with insurance, or handling the financial aspects of a practice.

4.  Gain exposure to different practices and experiences

The professional development opportunities are meaningful, too. Since Dr. Ali’s assignment in Colorado has shown her what it’s like to incorporate integrative medicine into oncology, she’s excited to put it into practice once she’s ready to accept a full-time position. “This experience was so positive for me that I feel like I can keep doing locums until I find the right fit,” she says.

Locum tenens assignments can help you gain experience and skills by working in different settings and with varying practice styles.

5.  Scale down work before retiring

Doctors retiring from the medical field find time and again that locum tenens work is a balm to navigating the huge life transition toward retirement. Many doctors are passionate about patient care but want a little more flexibility at the end of their career — something locum tenens can provide.

Dr. Betsy Connelly has worked locum tenens since September 2021. Having worked in Maine, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and most recently, Hawaii, she decided to pursue locums following her retirement from medicine. "I did want to take a break, but I knew I was going to want to work part-time for a while. I thought I would take a break for a couple of years, but I have been really enjoying working in locum tenens, so it keeps extending itself," she says.

She continues, "A regular schedule may be good for a lot of people, but I’m not a regular schedule kind of person — at least not in retirement.”

Oncologist Dr. Peter Mancusi-Ungaro agrees. He turned to locums to continue doing what he loved after retiring but on a more flexible schedule. “I retired more than four years ago, but I decided that I’d like to go back and do a little more. I began taking locum tenens opportunities because I wanted to continue seeing patients. Locums has enabled me to enjoy my retirement but still find a purpose,” he says.

Find out more: Why locums makes sense for doctors nearing retirement

6.  Maintain continuity of patient care

Dr. Mancusi-Ungaro has been on a repeat assignment for the last two-and-a-half years. "I’m able to develop interpersonal relationships that last and continue over time,” he says. “With so many patients facing cancer in the United States, locum tenens providers are a necessary part of the equation.”

Dr. Fuat Bicer, who worked locum tenens as an oncologist at an outpatient clinic in an underserved area of Ohio, had a similar experience. “I sometimes tell my patient, 'We are going to be family during this process with your treatment. We are going to see you — maybe every two weeks or every month — and you will see me more than you are seeing your family. I am going to be a part of your family when I treat you, and I want you to trust me.’”

How does it work? One physician discusses locums and continuity of care

7.  Choose your ideal work setting and schedule

One perk of working as a locum tenens physician is the chance to “shop around” for the right opportunities. You can choose assignments with the schedule and features you want in the location that you prefer.

“A nice thing about locums is you can try it and if you don’t like it, you can quit. You know, give it a try and see if it fits you,” advises Dr. Connelly.

Working locum tenens as a medical oncologist allows for autonomy and flexibility, but it also provides ample opportunities to stretch one's comfort zone. “It gives me the opportunity to see new practices and get acquainted with new individuals,” says Dr. Mancusi-Ungaro.

8.  Earn more than in a staff position

Physicians can often earn significantly more working locum tenens than in traditional staff positions. Locum tenens work is typically paid hourly or daily and rates can be substantially higher than the average salary for an oncology position. Rates can be even higher when working in high-need areas with physician shortages.

Dr. Bicer says working his locum tenens assignment helped support his transition from fellowship to full-time work, allowing him to pay down his debt and his mortgage. "It was good earnings for me in a short period. Eventually, I asked myself, 'Why am I starting my full-time position right away again?’” In hindsight, he wonders if doing another six months of locums would have been a better financial move.

Getting back to the basics of medicine

Locum tenens is a great career option for medical oncologists who want to increase their compensation and have more control over when and where they work.

“The thing that I love the most is that when you are doing locums work, you simply go and take care of patients,” says Dr. Connelly. “You don’t lead programs, you don’t go to meetings about administrative issues, you don’t worry about a budget.”

Interested in learning more about locum tenens as a career alternative for medical oncologists? Give us a call at 954.343.3050 or view today’s locum tenens medical oncology job opportunities.