Your first locum tenens assignment: What physicians should expect
July 22, 2026
This is part 2 of a 3-part locum tenens beginner's guide. Go back to part 1, How locum tenens works with CompHealth: getting started.
Before you book your first locum tenens assignment with CompHealth, you’ll likely have lots of questions about the next few weeks leading up to your new job—and when you’re at the facility. Fortunately, CompHealth has teams of experts to help at every step of the way. Learn more about what to expect when working with CompHealth locums.
Once you’ve signed the contract, CompHealth’s teams will begin contacting you to prepare for the assignment. These include:
Credentialing
Before you start your new job, CompHealth must ensure that you’re qualified through the credentialing process. This requires filling out forms and providing documents and references. The facility will also need to enroll you with insurance providers so they can bill them while you’re on assignment.
Licensing
If you’ll be working in a new state and don’t already have a license there, you’ll need to complete paperwork and provide references for the state licensing board. A coordinator will email you to begin this process.
Hospital privileging
You may need to receive authorization to work at a specific facility and for the health system during your assignment.
Housing and travel
CompHealth covers the cost of your travel and provides a hotel room or furnished apartment for you to stay in during your locum tenens assignment. Coordinators will contact you to book flights and rental cars and check with you about any accommodations you’ll need in your temporary home.
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While your recruiter will continue to check in with you and be your primary contact at CompHealth, you’ll also begin working with an assignment coordinator about 50 days before your assignment starts. They can also answer questions about the CompHealth locum tenens experience if your recruiter is unavailable.
Dr. Sonya Sloan and Dr. Noel Lumpkin, both long-time locum tenens professionals, offer these tips for getting ready for your first locum tenens assignment with CompHealth:
Ensure your household is fully prepared before you depart. Arrange childcare and transportation, prepare meals in advance if needed, and set a mail hold for the duration of your assignment. Taking care of these logistics ahead of time allows you to focus fully on your work once you arrive.
Keep essential documents accessible in multiple formats. Save copies to a flash drive or bring hard copies, as reliable internet access cannot always be guaranteed at every facility. Should you be unable to retrieve a document for any reason, your recruiter can assist through the MyCompHealth portal, where your documents are securely stored.
Familiarize yourself with the facility and surrounding area in advance. Review photos and maps of the hospital, and take time to learn about the colleagues you'll be working alongside. Arriving with this context helps you acclimate more quickly and make a strong first impression with the care team.
Look up the department that hired you and note the names and photos that accompany it.
“You don’t have to commit these to memory, but it will help on that first day when you are trying to connect with the person or persons that are anticipating your arrival.”
7 tips for preparing for your first locum tenens assignment
Get travel apps early. Eliminate stress by downloading the necessary apps before you head to the airport or pick up your rental car. Other helpful app categories include maps, public transit, health systems (especially if you’ll be asking patients to use these), and restaurant recommendations.
Arrive at the facility one day in advance. While it’s not always possible, depending on family and work obligations and travel delays, it’s helpful to get into town a day before you’re scheduled to work. Make sure to drive or take transit to the facility so you know how long the commute will take. Then walk around and familiarize yourself with the departments where you’ll be working, as well as necessary areas like the parking garage, restrooms, and cafeteria.
Check in with the facility contact. If you are arriving early, let the contact at your new hospital know you’re ready for your start date the next day, and make sure you have everything you need.
I give them the hotel number and the room number I’m in, because there have been places where the cell service was horrible and they couldn't reach me on my cell phone.
Keep in touch with your recruiter. Be sure to let your recruiter know when you’ve arrived at your hotel or apartment, and tell them immediately if you have concerns or need other accommodations.
Day one: what to expect during onboarding
When your start date finally arrives, report to the hospital at the time specified in your contract (remember, this information is always available in the MyCompHealth app) and begin your assignment. The onboarding process will vary depending on the length and scope of your assignment, but will typically includes:
An explanation of badges and hospital security
Paperwork with human resources
A tour of the facility
EMR system training
Introductions to other healthcare providers and staff
Dr. Lumpkin and Dr. Sloan both recommend bringing a small notebook to write down important information on your first day. Dr. Lumpkin also brings a zippered pouch to hold badges or pagers.
During the assignment: timesheets and pay
While you are on assignment, you’ll enter your time in the MyCompHealth portal. CompHealth, not the hospital, pays your salary weekly through direct deposit. Locum tenens providers are generally classified as independent contractors, not W-2 employees. This means that CompHealth does not deduct state and federal taxes from your salary, so you’ll need to pay these separately.
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Your recruiter will continue to check in with you and make sure everything is going well. If you experience a problem, call them immediately so they can help.
Finishing the assignment: signing off and handing over care
Dr. Sloan points out that a supervisor generally has to sign your timesheets before you can leave your assignment, so find that person on your last day. She also reminds new locum tenens providers to say goodbye to the staff and tell them who’ll be working there next (if you have this information). Then help prepare the incoming physician.
Run the list—who the in-house patients are, their room number, their diagnosis, what day they had surgery, and what they might need in the next couple of days.
After the assignment: staying in touch with your recruiter
Once you’re back home, be sure to tell your recruiter you arrived safely. To make a good impression, you may want to consider sending thank-you notes to the providers and staff you worked with. You may end up working at the facility—or with some of the doctors and nurses—again later!
This is also your chance to share your CompHealth locum tenens experience with your recruiter. Explain what you liked and disliked about the facility, what CompHealth can improve upon with communication or with various aspects of the process, and whether you’d like to try another assignment.
First assignment FAQs
What should I bring on my first day of a locum tenens assignment?
Bring your ID, medical licenses, and certifications, along with appropriate work attire and any tools specific to your specialty. A small notebook or note-taking app is also useful for jotting down important information during onboarding, such as EMR login steps or key contacts.
How do I get paid during a locum tenens assignment?
CompHealth pays you weekly through direct deposit. You'll log your hours through the MyCompHealth portal or app. Since locum tenens physicians are typically classified as independent contractors, CompHealth does not withhold state or federal taxes from your pay, so you'll need to handle these separately.
What happens after my locum tenens assignment ends?
Once you're back home, let your recruiter know you've arrived safely and share feedback about your experience — what went well, what could improve, and whether you'd like another assignment. It's also a good idea to send thank-you notes to the staff you worked with, since you may end up working together again.
How early should I arrive for my assignment?
Whenever possible, arrive at least one day before your start date. This gives you time to test your commute, tour the facility, and locate key areas like the parking garage, cafeteria, and your department before your first shift.
Who do I contact if I have questions during my assignment?
Your recruiter remains your main point of contact throughout the assignment. About 50 days before your start date, you'll also be connected with an assignment coordinator who can help with credentialing, licensing, and travel questions if your recruiter is unavailable.
Interested in locum tenens opportunities in your specialty? View current locum tenens openings or give us a call at 800.453.3030. You’re closer than you think—and CompHealth will support you every step of the way.