The Locumstory Podcast | Locum Tenens Insights from Real-Life Physicians, PAs, and NPs

Locumstory
  • 5.0 (18)
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At Locumstory we share the stories of locums. What's a locum? Locum tenens are physicians, PAs, and NPs that work temporary jobs around the country and the world. These unique healthcare providers choose to work this way for a variety of reasons, from flexibility and work-life balance, to making extra money and traveling. Each has a unique story to share. Learn more at locumstory.com.

  1. Jul 10

    Ep. 83: Finding flow with locums and life beyond the OR with vascular surgeon Dr. Lucas Ferrer

    Board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Lucas Ferrer joins the Locumstory Podcast to share how locum tenens became the bridge out of academia and into a career built on his own terms. After finishing his fellowship at Baylor in 2018, Dr. Ferrer felt the pull of a new challenge and locums gave him a way to keep his hands in open surgery while building something of his own. In this episode, Dr. Ferrer talks about why he gravitates toward smaller community hospitals, how working with CompHealth helped him find the right assignments, and shares practical advice. He also shares about the entrepreneurial bug behind his limb salvage startup and Life of Flow, the podcast he co-hosts with Dr. Miguel Montero Baker. Hit subscribe to the Locumstory Podcast for more stories like this, and check out our free locum tenens crash course at locumstory.com Interested in locum tenens opportunities? Check out CompHealth (comphealth.com). To follow Dr. Ferrer's work, find him on LinkedIn and listen to the Life of Flow podcast.

    Ep. 83: Finding flow with locums and life beyond the OR with vascular surgeon Dr. Lucas Ferrer

  2. Jun 26

    Ep. 82: From Permanent Hospital Job to Full-Time Locum Tenens with PA Alex Oliver

    Physician assistant Alex Oliver joins the Locumstory Podcast to share how he traded a permanent role at a Boston academic hospital for the freedom of full-time locum tenens. A former firefighter and paramedic, Alex found his way into trauma and general surgery as a PA. After easing into locums part-time around his full-time job in late 2024, he discovered the work was more fulfilling, better compensated, and a lot more fun. So he made the leap. In this episode, Alex talks about working with Weatherby Healthcare to build a schedule that works for him, why he loves stepping into new hospitals and seeing how different trauma teams operate, and how locums let him practice at the full scope of his license. He shares honest, practical advice for PAs who are curious but nervous — from starting small to building trust on day one of a new assignment — and reflects on how the flexibility has changed his relationship with work and given him room to travel on his own terms. Interested in locum tenens opportunities? Check out Weatherby Healthcare.

    Ep. 82: From Permanent Hospital Job to Full-Time Locum Tenens with PA Alex Oliver

  3. Jun 12

    Ep. 81: A physician’s guide to the IMLC with Kaitlyn Kruczynski

    Today’s episode features Kaitlyn Kruczynski, a senior locum tenens consultant who joins us to share how the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is reshaping the way physicians work. With nearly eight years of experience supporting general, trauma, and vascular surgeons, Kaitlyn explains how the compact helps physicians reduce burnout, gain flexibility, and reach communities that may not otherwise have access to care. She breaks down the IMLC in simple terms and offers practical advice for anyone considering it. From eligibility to renewal reminders, Kaitlyn shares why so many physicians tell her they wish they’d applied sooner. Interested in applying for the IMLC? Reach out to your locums recruiter or connect with Weatherby’s team to see how quickly you can get started.

    Ep. 81: A physician’s guide to the IMLC with Kaitlyn Kruczynski

  4. May 29

    Ep. 80: How an EM physician built a career on autonomy and adventure through locum tenens

    Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Helena shares her inspiring journey in emergency medicine, from Budapest to the U.S., and her unique insights as an international medical graduate. She offers practical insight into navigating medical school abroad, matching into EM, managing residency challenges, and recognizing the early signs of burnout. Dr. Helena also discusses choosing flexibility through locum tenens and building a life that is filled with travel, languages, content creation, and creative pursuits outside of medicine. Follow Dr. Helena's journey on Instagram: @a.youngdoctors.journey

  5. May 15

    Ep. 79: Dr. Hasselhof’s journey through locum tenens, international medicine, and practicing across seven states

    Family medicine physician Dr. Viktoria Hasselhof joins us to share how she built a flexible, adventure‑driven career that spans two continents and a wide range of clinical environments. After completing medical school in Germany and finishing residency in Ohio during the height of COVID‑19, she stepped directly into locum tenens work, embracing a path that allowed her to practice in communities from South Dakota to Oregon to the remote Hawaiian island of Molokai. Dr. Hasselhof reflects on leading inpatient care during South Dakota’s first COVID wave, navigating multi‑state licensing, and managing the logistics of practicing in the U.S. while living in Germany. She also speaks on traveling with two young children, creative childcare solutions, and the deep sense of gratitude she’s experienced in rural and underserved communities. Her story focuses on adaptability, curiosity, and building a medical career that supports both professional growth and personal freedom. Interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities? Learn more with CompHealth.

    Ep. 79: Dr. Hasselhof’s journey through locum tenens, international medicine, and practicing across seven states

  6. May 1

    Ep. 78: What physicians should look for in a locums partner with Simon Parsons

    With more than a decade of experience placing physicians and shaping the next generation of recruiters, Simon Parsons joins us to share his perspective on the realities of locums, from red flags to avoid to the traits of recruiters who genuinely advocate for clinicians. Over 12 years as a physician rep on the general surgery team, Simon placed more than 240 physicians and helped them earn over $40 million in compensation — but what drives him isn’t the numbers. It’s the transformation he’s witnessed when physicians finally reclaim autonomy, balance, and control over their careers. Simon shares how understanding a physician’s deeper why leads to better matches, healthier boundaries, and more fulfilling careers. He explains the difference between recruiters who simply book shifts and those who act as true lifestyle architects — helping physicians design careers that support the lives they want, not the other way around. He offers practical advice on using locums to build more freedom, avoid burnout, and create space for family, travel, or personal passions. Whether you’re new to locums, reevaluating your career, or simply curious about how to use flexibility well, Simon’s insights give a candid look at what’s possible when physicians put themselves back in the driver’s seat. Connect with Simon: simon.parsons@comphealth.com Interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities? Visit CompHealth at comphealth.com.

    Ep. 78: What physicians should look for in a locums partner with Simon Parsons

  7. Apr 17

    Ep. 77: Finding balance between patient care and world travel with PA Robert Vagueiro

    Physician assistant and travel content creator Robert Vagueiro — known online as The Traveling PA — joins us to share how he’s built a career that blends surgery, adventure, and intentional work‑life balance. Robert discovered his passion for the operating room during clinical rotations and has since built a diverse surgical career spanning general surgery, bariatrics, vascular, urology, and now cardiac surgery. Robert walks through how he navigated each specialty transition, the importance of “just showing up” to build skills early in your career, and how lateral mobility within the PA profession has allowed him to continually grow while staying in the OR. Robert discusses the problem‑solving skills travel has sharpened, how global experiences have shaped his perspective as a clinician, and why he values protecting his PTO. He also opens up about building The Traveling PA as a digital scrapbook of his life — a place where he documents both his surgical work and his journeys across more than 50 countries, inspiring other healthcare professionals to work hard and play hard. Follow Robert on Instagram: @thetravelingpa__

    Ep. 77: Finding balance between patient care and world travel with PA Robert Vagueiro

  8. Apr 3

    Ep. 76: Dr. Mark Pool’s journey into locum tenens, entrepreneurship, and balancing medicine with family life

    Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. J. Mark Pool joins us to share how he rebuilt his career after stepping away from a long‑time W‑2 role and discovering locum tenens in 2023. After more than a decade of Q2 call, building service lines, and carrying a demanding surgical workload, Dr. Pool found himself burned out, navigating administrative conflict, and unsure of what came next. A three‑month sabbatical — and a well‑timed phone call — opened the door to a completely new way of practicing medicine. Dr. Pool walks through how he went from skepticism about locums to securing his first assignment in just a few weeks, thanks to the IMLC and expedited credentialing. He shares what it’s been like to work across 17 different programs, how he juggles multiple assignments at once, and why the flexibility to protect family time has been life‑changing. Dr. Pool also dives into the leadership lessons he never received in training but now considers essential. He explains how pursuing an MBA and a PhD in leadership transformed the way he shows up in the OR, builds rapport with new teams, and adapts to different environments and equipment with humor, humility, and collaboration. His approach has not only strengthened patient care but also earned him repeat invitations from programs across the country. Whether you’re a surgeon considering a career reset, a physician curious about the logistics of multi‑state locums work, or someone interested in blending medicine with entrepreneurship, Dr. Pool’s story is candid and full of practical insight. Explore more of Dr. Pool’s work: YouTube: @jmarkpoolmdPodcast: Locums-Wise & Cut the Fluff with Dr. Mark PoolBook: Your Simply Minimized Roadmap to Bypass Surgery

    Ep. 76: Dr. Mark Pool’s journey into locum tenens, entrepreneurship, and balancing medicine with family life
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About

At Locumstory we share the stories of locums. What's a locum? Locum tenens are physicians, PAs, and NPs that work temporary jobs around the country and the world. These unique healthcare providers choose to work this way for a variety of reasons, from flexibility and work-life balance, to making extra money and traveling. Each has a unique story to share. Learn more at locumstory.com.

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