Celebrating National Physicians Week: The Locum Tenens Experience

National Physicians Week is a time to honor the dedication, skill, and compassion of physicians who make a lasting impact on patient care. At Epic Physician Staffing, we proudly celebrate our locum tenens physicians, who bring their expertise to facilities nationwide while enjoying career flexibility. To highlight their experiences, we spoke with Dr. Moore, a critical care physician, about his journey in medicine and how locum tenens has shaped his career.

A Passion for Critical Care

Dr. Moore specializes in critical care medicine, a field that demands vast knowledge across multiple disciplines, including cardiology, pulmonary medicine, nephrology, and infectious disease. He thrives on the complexity of ICU care and the ability to make a profound impact on both patients and their families. 

Beyond the medical challenges, he values the emotional aspect of his role. “We as physicians thrive on healing, but another important part of our job is supporting families during their most vulnerable moments,” he shares. “Helping a loved one have dignity in death and showing families that it’s not always a bad thing is just as important as saving a life.” This perspective underscores his dedication to both medical excellence and human connection, reinforcing the vital role physicians play in some of life’s most pivotal moments.

The Freedom of Locum Tenens

Seeking a balance between work and family life, Dr. Moore embraced locum tenens to gain more control over his schedule. As a father of five, the ability to choose when and where he works allows him to spend quality time with his children while continuing his medical career. He also enjoys the variety locum tenens offers, constantly learning new techniques and approaches from colleagues at different facilities. “Everywhere I go, I learn something new that I didn’t already know before – whether it’s from a colleague, a specialist, or a different way of approaching patient care,” he says.

A Memorable Moment in the ICU

One of Dr. Moore’s most memorable experiences involved an elderly terminal patient whose daughters wanted to create a special moment for her. He arranged a movie night at her bedside, complete with a video player and support from the phenomenal nursing staff, who provided plastic wine glasses filled with grape juice. It was a small yet meaningful gesture that highlighted the human side of medicine—bringing comfort in a patient’s final days.

The Epic Physician Staffing Experience

Dr. Moore credits Epic Physician Staffing for making his locum tenens experience seamless. He values the strong support from the team, particularly Marc Naya, Vice President of Business Development, who ensures his scheduling needs are met and that he has access to extra shifts when needed. “The guy treats me like gold. If I need something, he gets it done. If I want to work extra, he’ll make sure I can find some more shifts,” Dr. Moore shares. From smooth onboarding to travel arrangements handled efficiently by the logistics team, he appreciates the level of attentiveness and professionalism that makes his job easier.

Living by Epic’s Core Values

Among Epic Staffing Group’s core values, “We Go All In” and “We Show Up” resonate deeply with Dr. Moore. He has experienced firsthand the team’s commitment to ensuring he has what he needs, whether it’s an updated calendar or additional assignments that fit around his other hospital commitments. This level of responsiveness has reinforced his trust in Epic as a staffing partner.

Advice for Physicians Considering Locum Tenens

For physicians hesitant about making the switch, Dr. Moore is clear: locum tenens offers unmatched freedom and professional fulfillment. “I will never work another permanent job in my life,” he states. He no longer feels tied down by the bureaucracy and politics of permanent positions. Instead, he can focus on what he does best—caring for patients—without unnecessary administrative burdens.

Celebrating Physicians Everywhere

This National Physicians Week, we celebrate the dedication and expertise of physicians who make a lasting impact on patient care. Locum tenens physicians, in particular, play a vital role in ensuring communities receive high-quality healthcare when and where it’s needed most. Their flexibility, commitment, and passion help bridge gaps in medical coverage, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions. 

Ready to take control of your career and experience the freedom of locum tenens? Connect with Epic Physician Staffing today and discover how our dedicated support team can help you build a flexible, rewarding medical career on your terms.