Unlocking Locum Tenens Opportunities in Otolaryngology: Your Guide

Understanding Locum Tenens in Otolaryngology (ENT)

Locum tenens work—temporary physician staffing—has become an increasingly important part of the otolaryngology workforce. For ENT residents, new graduates, and experienced otolaryngologists alike, locum tenens roles can offer flexibility, higher earning potential, and exposure to different practice environments without a long‑term commitment.

In otolaryngology, locum tenens physicians typically fill short- or medium-term gaps in coverage caused by:

• Physician vacations, parental leave, or sabbaticals
• Unfilled full-time positions
• Seasonal or unpredictable fluctuations in patient volume
• Expansion of service lines (e.g., starting an allergy clinic, new OR block time)

Whether you’re still planning your ENT residency and thinking ahead, approaching the otolaryngology match, or already in practice and curious about locum work, understanding these opportunities can help you design a more flexible and satisfying career.

This guide will walk through:

• What locum tenens looks like in ENT
• Types of assignments and settings
• Pros and cons specific to otolaryngology
• How to position yourself (before and after residency)
• Practical steps for finding and succeeding in travel physician jobs

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Why ENT Is Well-Suited to Locum Tenens Work

Otolaryngology is a procedure-heavy specialty with a broad scope of practice. That creates particular dynamics in locum tenens work that are different from many other fields.

High Demand and Workforce Gaps

Several trends drive demand for locum tenens otolaryngologists:

• Aging population: More patients require sinus surgery, hearing-related care, head and neck cancer management, and sleep apnea interventions.
• Workforce shortages: Many regions—especially rural and smaller urban centers—struggle to recruit full-time ENT physicians.
• Subspecialty fragmentation: As more otolaryngologists subspecialize (e.g., otology, laryngology, rhinology), general ENT coverage can be harder to secure.

Hospitals and clinics use locum tenens ENT coverage to:

• Maintain call coverage and avoid diversions
• Keep operating rooms fully utilized
• Provide continuity of ENT services while recruiting permanent staff

For a locum tenens physician, this generally translates into consistent opportunity and bargaining power.

Scope of Practice for ENT Locum Tenens

Your scope will depend on your training, comfort level, and the specific practice needs. Typical clinical and operative responsibilities may include:

• General clinic:

  • Otitis media, cerumen removal, hearing loss evaluation
  • Rhinosinusitis, nasal obstruction, epistaxis management
  • Tonsillitis, dysphonia, dysphagia screening
  • Allergic rhinitis and basic allergy management

• Procedures in clinic:

  • Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy
  • Nasal endoscopy
  • Simple biopsies, excision of small skin lesions
  • Ear debridement, myringotomy tube checks

• Operating room (depending on facility and your comfort):

  • Tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies
  • Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, basic FESS
  • Tympanostomy tubes, minor otologic procedures
  • Skin lesion excision with/without grafts or flaps

• Call responsibilities:

  • Epistaxis control
  • Peritonsillar abscess drainage
  • Airway emergencies (e.g., tracheostomy management; emergent airway in some centers)
  • Facial trauma (depending on institutional expectations and availability of plastics/OMFS)

You can and should negotiate your scope based on your experience and comfort. Many locum tenens agencies and hospitals are open to tailoring the case mix—especially for early-career ENT physicians.

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Types of Locum Tenens Opportunities in Otolaryngology

Locum tenens ENT work comes in multiple formats. Understanding the major models will help you choose assignments that fit your skills and lifestyle.

1. Short-Term Assignments (1 day to 2 weeks)

Often used for:

• Vacation coverage
• CME or conference coverage
• Short-term gaps when a full-time ENT is out unexpectedly

Typical features:

• Duration: A few days to a couple of weeks
• Setting: Community hospitals, private practices, small ENT groups
• Scope: Clinic only, clinic + minor OR, or call-only in some cases

Best for:

• ENTs with flexible schedules or partial FTE positions
• Practicing physicians exploring locum work without a long commitment
• Regional “weekend warrior” assignments if you live nearby

2. Medium-Term Assignments (2 weeks to 3 months)

These are common when:

• A hospital is recruiting a permanent otolaryngologist but hasn’t yet filled the position
• A group practice needs interim help to keep up with surgical volume
• Coverage is needed during maternity or extended medical leave

Typical features:

• Duration: 1–3 months, sometimes renewable
• Setting: Small to mid-size hospitals, integrated ENT/Allergy practices
• Scope: Full clinic + OR schedule with shared call

Best for:

• Early-career otolaryngologists between jobs
• Physicians exploring a potential permanent position (“try before you buy”)
• Those wanting to experience different regions or practice models

3. Long-Term Assignments (3+ months to 1 year)

Longer locum contracts are increasingly common in ENT, particularly in underserved regions.

Typical features:

• Duration: 3 months up to a year, occasionally longer
• Setting: Rural hospitals, safety-net systems, VA hospitals, large regional centers
• Scope: Near full-scope general ENT, sometimes with specific subspecialty focus (e.g., largely sinus, or head and neck oncology follow-up)

Best for:

• Physicians taking a gap year between training and a permanent job
• Otolaryngologists transitioning between academic and private practice
• Those testing out new geographic areas (e.g., moving states)

4. Travel Physician Jobs (Multi-State or “Road Warrior” Model)

Some ENT physicians choose to build a full-time career stringing together locum tenens assignments in different states, effectively becoming traveling specialists.

Typical features:

• Multiple state licenses
• Working with one or more locum agencies on a rolling basis
• Typically 1–3 months per site, rotating regularly

Pros:

• High income potential
• Very broad clinical experience
• Maximal lifestyle freedom and geographic variety

Cons:

• Frequent relocation; more time away from “home base”
• Logistical complexity (housing, licensing, credentialing timeline)
• Potential challenges in maintaining continuity in OR teams and case mix

For an otolaryngologist with a sense of adventure and tolerance for change, this model can be uniquely rewarding.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of ENT Locum Tenens Work

Locum tenens roles come with distinct advantages and trade-offs. Understanding these in an otolaryngology-specific context will help you decide if they fit your career goals.

Key Benefits

1. Flexibility and Control Over Your Schedule

ENT practice can be demanding, with full clinic schedules, OR blocks, and 1:3 or 1:4 call in some communities. Locum work can allow you to:

• Design periods of intense work followed by extended time off
• Align work blocks around family commitments, travel, or academic pursuits
• Avoid rigid long-term call schedules or administrative burdens

For example, you might work 10–12 straight days per month as a locum tenens physician in a high-demand region and then take the rest of the month off for research, travel, or personal time.

2. Potential for Higher Earnings

Locum rates for otolaryngology are often competitive, especially in high-need locations or for urgent coverage.

You may see:

• Daily rates (e.g., a fixed amount for clinic + call)
• Hourly rates (for in-house call or high-intensity shifts)
• Separate call stipends

Add-on benefits often include:

• Paid travel and lodging
• Malpractice coverage (usually claims-made with tail provided during the contract period)

For early-career ENT physicians, locum work can help pay down loans quickly, save for relocation or practice buy-in, or provide a financial cushion before settling into a permanent job.

3. Broad Clinical Exposure

Locum work exposes you to:

• Different EMR systems (Epic, Cerner, Meditech, etc.)
• Varying referral patterns and practice styles
• Different OR environments (critical for procedural specialties)

For example, working at a rural hospital may give you experience managing a wide range of general ENT emergencies, while a tertiary center locum stint might emphasize complex oncology follow-up and multidisciplinary care.

4. Geographic Exploration

Travel physician jobs allow you to:

• Test living and working in different regions: coastal vs. inland, urban vs. rural
• Experience different hospital cultures before committing permanently
• Align work with personal interests (e.g., ski resorts, national parks, family proximity)

For residents nearing the otolaryngology match, understanding where you might want to eventually practice can be informed later by locum experiences in those regions.

Key Drawbacks and Challenges

1. Limited Continuity of Care

Otolaryngology often involves:

• Long-term management of chronic sinus disease, cancer surveillance, hearing loss, and sleep apnea
• Complex postoperative care after major head and neck or reconstructive surgeries

As a locum tenens physician, you may:

• Hand off long-term follow-up to a permanent ENT
• Have limited ability to build a deep, long-term patient panel

If longitudinal relationships are central to your professional satisfaction, this is a meaningful consideration.

2. Variable OR Infrastructure and Support

ENT surgery is heavily dependent on:

• High-quality endoscopes, camera systems, microscopes, and powered instruments
• Skilled scrub techs familiar with ENT instrument sets
• Reliable anesthesia and PACU teams experienced with airway cases

In some locum settings, you may find:

• Limited or older equipment
• OR staff less accustomed to ENT cases
• Scheduling constraints that limit your preferred case mix

Clarifying these details upfront is essential before accepting an assignment.

3. Repeated Onboarding and Adjustment

Each new site may require you to:

• Learn a new EMR system
• Understand new protocols for airway emergencies, epistaxis, trauma, and OR workflows
• Build rapport with anesthesiology, nursing, and administrative staff

For some, this constant adjustment is invigorating; for others, it can feel exhausting.

4. Financial and Administrative Complexity

As a locum tenens physician, you may be:

• An independent contractor (1099) rather than an employee (W-2)
• Responsible for your own taxes, benefits, retirement planning, and disability coverage
• Managing multiple state licenses, DEA registrations, and credentialing timelines

This is manageable with planning—and many agencies help—but it does require organization.

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Preparing for Locum Tenens Work as an ENT Physician

Whether you’re still in residency or already established in practice, strategic preparation will make your locum experience smoother and more rewarding.

For Residents and Fellows: Planning Ahead During Training

Even if you’re focused on the otolaryngology match and residency milestones, it’s worth considering how locum work might fit after training.

1. Develop Broad General ENT Competence

Locum tenens assignments often seek:

• Otolaryngologists comfortable with a wide range of general ENT
• Surgeons who can safely manage typical call cases and basic trauma (depending on the site)

During residency and any fellowship:

• Seek balanced exposure across otology, rhinology, laryngology, pediatrics, and head and neck
• Maintain procedural skills in bread-and-butter OR cases (T&A, FESS, septoplasty, ventilation tubes, minor skin cases)
• Practice efficient outpatient workflows to handle busy clinics

2. Learn Multiple EMRs and OR Systems When Possible

Every system you learn in training becomes an asset later, when you move between hospitals as a locum tenens physician. Ask to rotate through:

• Different hospital sites using varying EMRs
• Community affiliate hospitals or VA sites with different workflows

3. Keep Documentation of Case Logs and Skills

Locum agencies and hospitals may ask for:

• Case logs (from ACGME or institutional data)
• Procedure lists and complication rates
• Letters or evaluations verifying your competency in specific areas

Make sure you:

• Maintain updated logs and keep copies when possible
• Request detailed training program verification documents before graduation

For Early-Career and Established ENTs: Building a Locum-Ready Profile

1. Organize Your Professional Documentation

Have digital copies of:

• CV with up-to-date work history and procedures
• Medical school diploma and residency/fellowship certificates
• Board certification(s) and state licenses
• DEA registration(s) and controlled substance permits
• BLS/ACLS/PALS certifications if applicable
• Malpractice history and claims summaries

Credentialing for locum work can be time-consuming; having everything ready speeds the process.

2. Decide on Your Scope and Boundaries

Before approaching agencies, clearly define:

• Which procedures you are comfortable performing independently
• What kind of call responsibilities you are willing to take
• Whether you will manage certain types of trauma or complex oncologic cases

You can include “red lines” in your discussions, such as:

• No free flaps or microvascular reconstruction
• No unsupervised major skull base work
• Limited or no coverage for facial trauma above certain complexity

Clarity early on prevents mismatched expectations once you arrive.

3. Learn Basic Business and Tax Principles

If you work as a 1099 independent contractor:

• Consult an accountant familiar with physician locum work
• Consider setting up a professional LLC or S-corp (if appropriate in your jurisdiction)
• Plan for quarterly estimated taxes and retirement contributions (e.g., solo 401(k), SEP-IRA)

While not unique to otolaryngology, this is critical for maximizing the financial benefits of locum tenens roles.

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Finding, Evaluating, and Thriving in ENT Locum Tenens Assignments

How to Find Locum Tenens ENT Opportunities

You can find roles through:

1. Locum Tenens Agencies

   • Many national agencies have dedicated surgery or ENT recruiters.
   • They handle marketing your CV, initial contract negotiation, and logistics.

2. Direct Hospital or Group Contracts

   • Some hospital systems contract directly with locum physicians, especially for longer-term needs.
   • Networking through colleagues, conferences (e.g., AAO-HNSF), or alumni networks can lead to these opportunities.

3. Professional Job Boards and Societies

   • Otolaryngology societies and general physician job boards often list “temporary” or “locum tenens” positions.

When speaking with recruiters, emphasize your ENT-specific skills and preferences, such as:

• Comfort with pediatric vs. adult ENT
• OR-heavy vs. clinic-heavy interests
• Interest in academic vs. community environments

Key Questions to Ask Before Accepting an Assignment

Because otolaryngology is highly procedural and equipment-dependent, ask targeted questions:

Clinical Scope and Expectations

• What is the expected case mix (clinic vs. OR vs. call)?
• What is the call schedule, and what types of cases are typically seen on call?
• Who covers facial trauma, and to what extent is the ENT physician involved?
• Will I handle pediatric ENT, or is this predominantly adults?

OR and Clinic Infrastructure

• What ENT-specific equipment is available (microscopes, endoscopes, navigation, powered instruments)?
• Are there experienced ENT scrub techs and anesthesia staff comfortable with airway cases?
• How many OR days and block times are typically allocated for ENT?

Logistics and Support

• Which EMR is used, and is there training/orientation before your first clinic or OR day?
• Who will assist in clinic (e.g., dedicated MA, nurse, audiology support)?
• How are consults handled (e-consults, phone consults, in-person)?

Contractual Details

• What is the rate structure (daily vs. hourly vs. per-shift)?
• How is call compensated?
• Are travel, lodging, and malpractice coverage fully included?
• Is there a minimum guaranteed number of days or hours?

For a locum tenens physician in ENT, a thorough understanding of these details often makes the difference between a great and a frustrating assignment.

Succeeding on Assignment: Practical Tips

1. Front-Load Communication

Upon arrival:

• Meet with OR leadership and scrub techs to review your preferred setups and instruments.
• Clarify protocols for airway emergencies and difficult intubations.
• Speak with clinic staff about scheduling templates, triage rules, and scope of in-clinic procedures.

Making expectations explicit early prevents miscommunication when the day gets busy.

2. Adapt Quickly to the Local Culture

Every site has a particular culture:

• Some expect ENT to take a broad role in facial trauma; others lean on plastics or OMFS.
• Some rely heavily on ENT for airway issues; others have more anesthesiology-driven protocols.

Observe, ask questions, and adapt your practice style where safe and appropriate, while maintaining your own clinical standards.

3. Be a “Value Add” Colleague

Locum tenens physicians can sometimes be viewed as temporary outsiders. You can counter this by:

• Being reliable and punctual—especially for OR starts and call coverage
• Offering to give brief in-service sessions to staff on ENT emergencies (e.g., epistaxis management)
• Participating in department meetings when feasible

These efforts often lead to repeat invitations and stronger long-term networks.

4. Protect Your Boundaries and Well-Being

Locum work can tempt institutions to “stretch” your role when needs are great. Maintain:

• Your defined scope (e.g., declining to perform complex cases outside your comfort zone)
• Reasonable rest between call nights and OR days, especially for high-risk cases
• A clear process for escalating concerns (e.g., to the CMO or medical staff leadership)

Your license, reputation, and patient safety are paramount.

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FAQs: Locum Tenens in Otolaryngology (ENT)

1. Can new graduates or recent ENT residents do locum tenens work?

Yes. Many locum tenens opportunities are open to new graduates, especially if you:

• Are board-eligible and soon-to-be board-certified
• Have a solid general ENT skill set and clear case logs
• Are transparent about your comfort zone (e.g., not taking on complex skull base or free flap work initially)

Some hospitals even use locum tenens assignments as an extended interview for permanent roles, which can be an attractive bridge from training to long-term employment.

2. How does locum tenens experience look to future employers?

Most employers see locum work neutrally or positively, especially if:

• The assignments show stable blocks of work rather than short, erratic stints
• You can demonstrate maintained or improved surgical volume and skills
• You can provide strong references from your locum sites

If you are in the otolaryngology match pipeline and planning future academic careers, some programs may want to see evidence of ongoing scholarly work or subspecialty focus alongside locum experience, but locum work itself is rarely a negative.

3. Is locum tenens work compatible with an academic ENT career?

Often, yes. ENT faculty sometimes:

• Take short locum assignments during sabbaticals or between positions
• Use locum work to maintain clinical skills while relocating or between grants/roles

You will need to:

• Coordinate with your institution regarding outside clinical activities
• Ensure that malpractice coverage and conflict-of-interest policies are satisfied

For early-career surgeons, combining a research/academic trajectory with occasional locum work for income can be feasible with careful planning.

4. How do I decide between a permanent ENT position and a locum-focused career?

Consider:

• Lifestyle priorities: Do you prefer stability, long-term patient relationships, and deep roots in one community—or flexibility and variety?
• Financial goals: Permanent positions may offer benefits, retirement matching, and predictable income; full-time locum work may offer higher gross income but more responsibility for planning.
• Professional identity: Some otolaryngologists thrive on building and leading a permanent practice or academic program; others enjoy the independence and reduced administrative burden of being a locum tenens physician.

You don’t have to choose forever. Many ENTs alternate between periods of permanent employment and locum work as their career and personal life evolve.

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Locum tenens opportunities in otolaryngology offer a flexible and often lucrative path for ENT physicians at all stages—before, during, and after traditional permanent roles. By understanding the specific demands and rewards of locum work in this procedure-driven specialty, you can design a career that fits your clinical interests, financial goals, and lifestyle preferences, while providing much-needed ENT care to diverse communities across the country.