A day in the life of a locum medical oncologist

For Dr. Thomas Jones, being a medical oncologist isn’t just about diagnosing and treating cancer — it’s about making a meaningful difference in his patients’ lives. As a locum tenens oncologist, he often finds himself stepping in for another doctor, providing care to patients during a challenging time in their lives. Though his role at the hospital is temporary, Dr. Jones believes in giving his all and making every moment count.

Why Dr. Jones chose locums: Work-life balance and autonomy

Dr. Jones has been practicing medicine for over 45 years. He’s driven by his love for helping people and his passion for science. “I love the autonomy. I love helping people. I love the science — you know, it's always changing. You're always learning new things. It’s great,” he explains. “And it pays well, too!” he jokes.

Dr. Jones became a locum tenens physician because he wanted flexibility in his career. “I bounce around. I pick up assignments when I get a chance with my schedule,” Dr. Jones shares. This flexibility allows him to experience different medical environments while maintaining his commitment to patient care.

Facing the challenges of being a locum medical oncologist

According to Dr. Jones, the biggest challenge of being a locum is the nature of the job itself: it’s temporary. “You’re not the one who is going to be following through their whole cancer journey,” he admits. “When I see somebody, I tell them upfront that I’m not there permanently. I’m happy to help as much as I can, but I won’t be here.”

While his role may be short-term, Dr. Jones approaches his work with a firm dedication to patient continuity. “If I’m not here permanently, there’s going to be someone who will continue after I leave,” he says. “I try really hard to follow what this particular group does so the patient doesn’t get a lot of mixed messages.”

Despite the temporary nature of his assignments, Dr. Jones knows the importance of leaving a positive and lasting impact. He does his best to ensure that patients' questions are answered and that their care in his time with them is meaningful and thorough.

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Making the most of his time with patients as a locum tenens

While Dr. Jones may not be with patients for the entire course of their treatment, he feels that, as a locum tenens medical oncologist, he often has more time to spend with each patient. “I do get more time because I don’t get a lot of pressure to see patients quickly,” he explains. “They know I’m seeing people cold, so they tend to give me more time with them, which is great.”

This extra time allows him to focus on his patients' emotional and psychological needs. “You really want to spend time with them as well as possible. It’s about giving them the attention they deserve, and I don’t feel rushed,” he says.

Patients notice Dr. Jones’s dedication. “Most of the feedback has been good. I’ve had a lot of patients tell me that I’ve helped them,” he shares. “They say, ‘I really like you, and I’m sorry you’re leaving,’ but I always reassure them that the next doctor will take good care of them.”

Learning from new experiences: A locums adventure

Dr. Jones points out that one of the unique benefits of being a locum tenens is the opportunity to explore new places. His assignment in Portland was particularly memorable. “When I went to Portland, no one knew me. I could be whoever I wanted to be,” he shares. “I went and got my ears pierced. It was great just to be anonymous and do something different.”

Dr. Jones enjoys the diversity in his experiences, which provides him with new ways of practicing medicine. “You really learn how different institutions do things,” he says. “If you’ve been in one place for 20 years, you get used to one way of doing things. But when you go someplace else, you think, ‘Oh, I never thought about doing it that way.’ It’s a chance to learn new things.”

Embracing the challenges of locum tenens as a medical oncologist

Of course, there are some downsides to the locum tenens lifestyle. The biggest challenge for Dr. Jones is the sense of isolation. “You go there by yourself,” he explains. “You don’t have a social network, and that’s tough.”

However, he believes embracing this challenge is part of the locum experience. “You learn to adjust to the culture of the place you’re in, but it takes a while,” he says. “Once you realize this is what you sign up for, you can handle it.”

Dr. Jones also points out that, as a locum, it can be hard to truly become a part of the team. “You’re never really part of the culture of that particular group because everyone knows you’re just there for a short time,” he says. “But that’s okay. You have to adjust to their culture and learn how things are done.”

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Advice for physicians considering locum tenens

For physicians considering locum tenens work, Dr. Jones has some practical advice. “If you go somewhere, stay there. Don’t commute,” he says. “You’ll never establish a support system if you’re always bouncing back and forth. If you can, stay there and immerse yourself in the place.”

He also stresses the importance of being clear about your boundaries. “If there’s something you don’t want to do, don’t say yes just to get the job,” he advises. “Be clear about what you will and won’t do. If you tell them you’ll do something, they’ll expect you to do it, and you won’t be happy.”

Dr. Jones shares another essential tip for locum tenens doctors: “Learn the culture of where you are. Every place has its flow, and it’s important to understand that.”

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Locum tenens as a path to semiretirement

Dr. Jones sees locum tenens as an ideal option for doctors considering semi-retirement. “It’s great if you like what you do but don’t want to do a full-time job anymore,” he explains. “If you’ve put in your time at your institution and are ready for a change, locums is still a great way to practice medicine without the full-time commitment.”

Want to learn more about locum tenens for medical oncologists? Call us at 800.453.3030 or view today’s locum tenens medical oncologist job opportunities.