--- title: Have You Considered a Rural Locum Tenens Assignment? description: As our country continues to face a massive physician shortage, locum tenens clinicians are in need, particularly in rural settings. image: https://blog.vistastaff.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Mother%20with%20girl%20being%20examined%20by%20female%20pediatrician%20in%20clinic.jpeg --- [![VISTA-logo-primary-tagline](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VISTA-logo-primary-tagline.png?width=150&height=51&name=VISTA-logo-primary-tagline.png "VISTA-logo-primary-tagline")](https://www.vistastaff.com) # [VISTA Voice](https://blog.vistastaff.com) ## Have You Considered a Rural Locum Tenens Assignment? ![](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hubfs/vistastaff-oct2015/favicon002.png)Posted by [VISTA Staffing](https://blog.vistastaff.com/author/vista-staffing) on May 27, 2020 10:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Mother with girl being examined by female pediatrician in clinic](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Mother%20with%20girl%20being%20examined%20by%20female%20pediatrician%20in%20clinic.jpeg?width=1000&name=Mother%20with%20girl%20being%20examined%20by%20female%20pediatrician%20in%20clinic.jpeg)The physician shortage in the United States is not going away anytime soon. [New data](https://news.aamc.org/press-releases/article/workforce_projections_03142017/) from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) supports previous estimates, projecting shortfalls between 46,900 and 121,900 doctors by 2032. That means job opportunities will always be abundant, and a career in locum tenens can open doors wherever you want to go—so when looking ahead to future work, the choice is truly yours. When deciding on your next position as a locum tenens clinician, remember that you have the power to make an enormous impact, especially in under-served rural communities. Consider the following. ## The Need is Dire in Rural America Particularly as our population continues to age, rural areas are up against the perfect storm—a combination of retiring doctors, younger doctors staying in urban or suburban settings, and older patients. They need more services and specialty care. For some rural communities, lack of access to care presents a dangerous problem. Facilities may not have enough doctors on staff or lack a particular specialist entirely. Locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners can step in and make an immediate impact in these areas by improving the quality of care available. Locum tenens clinicians help provide relief to health care teams, feeling the stress of high caseloads, cut down on patient wait times, and deliver, in some cases, life-saving care. ## Appreciative Populations, Familiar Faces Rural areas also present opportunities to give back to populations with specific needs and unique challenges. In previous blogs, we discussed the benefits of [supporting our country’s veterans](https://blog.vistastaff.com/3-reasons-to-consider-locum-tenens-with-the-va) with the VA or taking on work with [the Indian Health Service](https://blog.vistastaff.com/indian-health-service-delivering-essential-care-to-american-indians-alaska-natives) (IHS). No matter what you decide, working in a smaller town can mean steady work from familiar faces and patients who appreciate your care. At VISTA, we frequently hear from doctors placed in rural settings that more exposure results in greater closeness to their patients—not to mention referrals to family members and friends. Rural locum tenens work allows you to interact with your patients in meaningful ways and build long-term connections, compared to busier urban settings where you may treat patients just once. ## Need More Reasons? There are various other arguments for rural over urban locum tenens life, such as shorter commutes and more time in the great outdoors. A position in a rural setting can mean a chance to slow down while getting involved in the local community. If you’re still on the fence and want to talk to someone about rural locum tenens, [contact us](http://www.vistastaff.com/contact-us) today or visit our [job board](http://www.vistastaff.com/job-board) to see what opportunities are currently available. [![VISTA Helped a Locum Tenens Physician Reinvent Her Career](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1554807/c68ed3cd-81b8-4194-a844-d475c737beb1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1554807/c68ed3cd-81b8-4194-a844-d475c737beb1) Topics: [Physicians](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/physicians), [Advanced Practice Providers](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/advanced-practice-providers), [Locum Tenens Clinician](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/locum-tenens-clinician), [Locum Tenens Work](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/locum-tenens-work)   **Want to read more? Click [here](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive) for even more industry updates.** **Welcome to our Blog!** **About VISTA Staffing Solutions** VISTA Staffing Solutions has over thirty years of experience providing award-winning customer service to clients and providers alike. Headquartered in Salt Lake City with additional offices in Atlanta and Houston, and employs approximately 1,000 people between corporate staff and field clinicians and contracts with over 2,500 physicians across 60+ specialties and subspecialties. VISTA helps U.S. hospitals, medical practices, and government agencies optimize their physician staffing, ensure quality and continuity of care for patients, and maintain financial stability. As a leading provider of U.S. Locum Tenens and Permanent Physician Search Services, VISTA also operates VISTA Select, a first-of-its-kind technology and services solution utilizing advanced data and analytics to provide healthcare organizations with customizable workforce optimization solutions.  ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Topic - [Locum Tenens Clinician (51)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/locum-tenens-clinician) - [Advanced Practice Providers (47)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/advanced-practice-providers) - [Physicians (41)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/physicians) - [Locum Tenens Work (39)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/locum-tenens-work) - [Locum Tenens Government (15)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/locum-tenens-government) - [Industry Updates (11)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/industry-updates) - [VISTA (9)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/vista) - [Recruiting (7)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/recruiting) - [Government (6)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/government) - [Licensing & Credentialing (6)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/licensing-credentialing) - [HR (3)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/hr) - [Interview/Hiring Tips (3)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/interview-hiring-tips) - [Stories From VISTA Physicians (2)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/stories-from-vista-physicians) - [Telehealth (2)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/telehealth) - [Physician Assistant Week (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/physician-assistant-week) - [Primary Care Week (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/topic/primary-care-week) [see all](https://blog.vistastaff.com/have-you-considered-a-rural-locum-tenens-assignment#) ### Corporate Background At **VISTA Staffing Solutions**, we want to make it possible for you to work on your terms, allowing you to provide your expertise to those who need it most. We have opportunities for physicians in all specialties, from domestic locum tenens jobs to government and permanent positions, with openings covering all 50 states. Founded in 1990, VISTA is headquartered in Salt Lake City with additional offices in Atlanta and Houston. **[PHONE: 800-366-1884 | 801-487-8190](tel+:18014878190)** **CORPORATE OFFICE:** 2800 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121  [AN INGENOVIS HEALTH COMPANY](https://www.ingenovishealth.com/)   | [Staffing Solutions](https://www.vistastaff.com/staffing-solutions/) | [VISTA Select](https://www.vistastaff.com/staffing-solutions/vista-select/) | | --- | --- | | [Trust, Transparency, Accountability](https://info.vistastaff.com/trust-transparency-accountability) | [Careers](https://www.vistastaff.com/current-openings/) | | [Clinician Job Board](https://www.vistastaff.com/job-board/) | [Contact Us](https://www.vistastaff.com/contact-us/) | | [Advanced Practice](https://www.vistastaff.com/advanced-practice/) |   |     [![icon-blog.png](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/pinpng.com-blog-icon-png-2064259.png?width=21&name=pinpng.com-blog-icon-png-2064259.png "icon-blog.png")](https://blog.vistastaff.com)[![icon-fb.png](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/60fea6773d624000048712b5.png?width=20&name=60fea6773d624000048712b5.png "icon-fb.png")](https://www.facebook.com/VISTAStaffing)[![icon-twitter.png](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/twitter-3-24.png?width=20&name=twitter-3-24.png "icon-twitter.png")](https://twitter.com/vista_staffing)[![icon-linkedin.png](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/linkedin-3-24.png?width=20&name=linkedin-3-24.png "icon-linkedin.png")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vista-staffing-solutions-inc-)[![icon-instagram](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/Instagram%20white%20icon.png?width=20&name=Instagram%20white%20icon.png)](https://www.instagram.com/vistastaffing/)[![icon-youtube](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Badges_Icons_and_Banners/toppng.com-youtube-clipart-png-black-white-youtube-symbol-1024x721.png?width=28&name=toppng.com-youtube-clipart-png-black-white-youtube-symbol-1024x721.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4bKhEXo9HZKIfo8ZW6hyYg)   [![VISTA-logo-staffing-IGV-white](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VISTA-logo-staffing-IGV-white.png?width=180&height=128&name=VISTA-logo-staffing-IGV-white.png "VISTA-logo-staffing-IGV-white")](https://www.vistastaff.com) © 1999 - 2023 VISTA Staffing Solutions