After 25 years as an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Blackwell found himself buried in administrative routine. While the work still mattered, he was missing a sense of adventure he’d always craved.
When his hospital changed groups at the same time his children became more independent, he saw a clear opportunity to make a change. He transitioned into locum tenens work and has not looked back.
Now one year into his locums journey, the shift has been immediate. “It’s completely reenergized me. Being able to travel, work in different places, meet new people, and even experience different coffee shops and restaurants has been amazing.”
Locum Tenens Offered Adventure and Career Growth
While he had always been drawn to travel, it never felt practical earlier in his career. After one year working exclusively as a locum physician, Dr. Blackwell has found both professional and personal growth in the variety of work provided.
“One recent assignment was in Iceland, and it was incredible,” he said. “The way their healthcare system operates is very different from what I was used to, and it gave me experiences I would not have had otherwise.”
Working within a different system also gave him a new perspective on his role as a physician. With fewer administrative layers and a more centralized structure, he was able to focus more directly on patient care.
What he’s learned has carried over into his work overall. Adapting to new environments, teams, and processes has strengthened his clinical instincts and broadened how he approaches medicine.
“Getting out of the routine made a big difference,” he said. “It pushed me to think differently and stay engaged.”
How Locums Helped Him Regain Control of His Schedule
While professional variety drew him to locums, the control over his time has been just as meaningful.
In his previous role, he rarely felt fully off the clock. There was always the possibility of being called back in or pulled into administrative responsibilities. That constant overlap made it difficult to fully disconnect. Now, the separation is clear.
“At work, I’m 100% focused on medicine. When I’m off, my time is completely my own,” he said.
That shift has improved his work-life balance in a way that was not possible in a permanent role. It has also allowed him to be more present, both professionally and personally.
His Advice for New Locums
For physicians who are unsure about making the transition, Dr. Blackwell recommends starting small.
“Just dip your toe in the water,” he said. “That’s what I did. It didn’t take long before I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
While he acknowledges that locums may not fit every stage of life, he believes it offers a practical path for physicians who want more flexibility without stepping away from patient care.
“I only know one physician who went back to a traditional role by choice,” he said. “Most people who try locums stay because it works.”
Using His Flexibility to Build a Life Outside Medicine
Locum tenens has allowed Dr. Blackwell to revisit interests that had taken a back seat earlier in his career.
“Travel is the biggest personal benefit,” he said. “But beyond that, it’s given me time.”
He has used that time to learn new skills, including knitting, playing guitar, and learning bass. Outside of work, he continues to explore parts of the world he had not previously been able to visit.
His home life is just as full. What started as adopting one dog quickly grew into three, adding a new level of energy and routine to his time off.
“As physicians, we’re very goal-driven, but personal goals tend to get pushed aside,” he said. “Locums gives you the freedom to actually pursue them, and that’s incredibly rewarding.”