There’s a better way to do locum tenens staffing.

In fact, there are four. It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is facing unprecedented challenges. From provider shortages to increasing patient demand, the need for flexible, high-quality staffing solutions has never been greater or more urgent. Enter locum tenens staffing: a dynamic approach that offers healthcare organizations the ability to fill critical gaps with qualified professionals on a temporary basis. In this article, we’ll explore how locum tenens staffing works, its benefits for healthcare organizations and providers, and why a forward-thinking approach is essential to addressing today’s healthcare challenges.

The thorn in the locum tenens staffing process.

Unfortunately, many healthcare organizations and agencies find themselves stuck in a cycle of limited options, rigid processes, and subpar outcomes—all while costs continue to rise. The result? Prolonged job vacancies, overburdened staff, and compromised patient care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Consider this:

• Last year, 65% of rural areas had a shortage of primary care physicians. 
• More than 15% of Americans — about 46 million — live in rural areas, but only 10% of doctors.
• Over 100 million Americans (nearly 1/3 of the nation) do not have access to a usual source of primary care due to a shortage of providers in their local community). 
• Many doctors settle within 100 miles of where they train, and 98% of residencies nationwide are in urban areas.

These statistics are a sign: we need innovation in healthcare staffing. Locum tenens does offer a solution, but only if the process is reimagined to prioritize flexibility, quality, and accessibility.

This is where modern locum tenens staffing comes in. By breaking away from outdated practices and embracing a more transparent, provider-centric approach, healthcare organizations can secure the talent they need—when and where they need it—without compromising on quality or cost.

Stubborn adherence to the status quo is one of the biggest detriments to locum staffing. So many healthcare organizations and staffing agencies alike are caught in a cycle of limited choice, limited flexibility, and limited success–all for profit’s sake. 

What if they could have more options, more quality, and more say in the process, all at competitive prices? They can. With SyncX. 

But change can be hard. Pulling away from the perceived “easier route” (psst: it’s not!) can take some convincing. 

Some may be unwilling to risk the unknown. But the bigger risk is staying locked in a pattern where steep competition for a limited pool of the same providers prolongs job openings and ultimately impacts the quality of patient care. 

4 pillars for transforming the way locum tenens staffing is done.

In our experience, better locums staffing follows four pillars: inclusivity, innovation, relationship-building, and purpose-driven technology. Each pillar serves as a cornerstone of better locums staffing. Let’s talk them through.

1. Be an inclusive advocate.

In the world of locum tenens staffing, inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Traditional staffing models limit opportunities for healthcare organizations, providers, and agencies alike. A better approach prioritizes equal access and fair competition, ensuring that everyone (regardless of size, location, or resources) has a chance to thrive.

It’s why SyncX was born: to innovate and drive positive impact on the industry through inclusion. The way “it’s always been done” isn’t serving healthcare organizations, agencies, or providers. In fact, it’s hurting the growth of all three. We’ve seen the chance to throw out the rule book and create a space where everyone has a place — and we’ve seized it. By creating an inclusive platform that offers equal access to a free market, we all can grow, compete, and achieve success.

2. Be a forward-doing innovator.

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress. Locum tenens staffing is no exception. The industry has long been plagued by outdated methods that prioritize tradition over optimization. A forward-thinking approach challenges these norms, introducing new ways to connect healthcare organizations with the providers they need.

Innovation might not be a word many people freely associate with locums staffing. But why shouldn’t it be? It means the act of improving upon or creating a new method. We know all too well that you need to do both. That’s why we created a new way to approach locums hiring—one that removes the barriers between those who need providers and those who help staff them. Creating a new method that ensures change for the better equals staffing for the best.

3. Be a relationship builder.

Locums staffing is about people first, second, and third. People are at the heart of it all, from those working in roles to those placing people in roles to those looking to fill roles. And what drives people above all else? Relationships. At its core, effective locum tenens staffing is about creating meaningful relationships. We found that work works is making what you do personal, not transactional. That’s why we obsess about building relationships that last. It’s our #1 priority (even before profit). 

Do you prefer to be talked at or collaborated with? We both know the answer. A better locums process starts with understanding the unique needs of healthcare organizations and the aspirations of providers. A people-first approach fosters trust and long-term partnerships. By building strong relationships, the staffing process becomes more personalized, reliable, and impactful—creating a foundation for success.

4. Be a technology unifier.

You wouldn’t hire an accountant to be an engineer, so why use technology made for other industries in locums staffing? We’ve seen it so many times, with results ranging from frustrating at best to detrimental at worst. Generic solutions often fall short, creating more hurdles than they solve. A better approach leverages technology that’s purpose-built for healthcare staffing, streamlining workflows, enhancing communication, and simplifying decision-making. When technology aligns with the realities of your industry, it becomes a powerful tool for improving efficiency, reducing friction, and delivering better results for everyone involved.

We believe technology must simplify processes and foster collaboration, but also must be created specifically for locum staffing workflows. We saw that such a unicorn did not exist, so we created it, then built our livelihood on it. When you work with Syncx, you get a tech platform where every click, field, and screen is painstakingly designed to work for you, not against you.

“Working with SyncX is unlike working with any other MSP.  It is a true partnership that ensures together we are meeting the needs of the health systems.”

Locums staffing — disrupted.

Our deep expertise lies in the industry itself, and within the organizations that are competing against us. Many of us came from those companies, so we intimately understand how they operate and why there is a better way. 

It’s because of this tenured (290 collective years in the industry!) experience that we were able to identify the problem. And be the solution. So, while SyncX is a young company, make no mistake—we are not new. The only thing new about us is our novel approach to locums staffing that lets you: 

• Take back control. You get to have a voice and choice throughout the staffing process, both in how it’s managed and how you work with vendors.
• Lower your costs. The large companies’ goal of increasing profits contradicts with your goal of reducing costs. Smaller, diverse agencies can put service and quality first while coming in at a lower price point. 
• Access new talent. With larger staffing companies, access is restricted to their talent pool—and you’re vying for the same resources. When using smaller vendors, you get access to a greater variety of exclusive talent you can’t find just anywhere, without the annoying competition. 
• Drive value. With a democratized model, locums pivots from being a “necessary evil” accepted as a sunken cost, to a value-added asset that can improve the bottom line. 

“SyncX has one of the most friendly and responsive teams to work with, they are tech-savvy and proficient at what they do, and they are one of the best companies we’ve worked with as far as communication.”

A better way to locums.

If you’re looking for a better way to do locums, find a partner who goes the X-tra mile. Let’s connect and talk about innovating (and simplifying) your staffing needs.