Working as a locums ENT can be particularly rewarding because you’re helping meet a need for hospitals and patients that might otherwise go unfilled. 

In her decade of being an ENT, Dr. Gia Marotta never thought she’d do anything but full-time work. But when she tried locums and found out how rewarding it can be, what started as a temporary decision during a time of transition became a long-term lifestyle. Now, she’s traveling around the country for her locums assignments––and taking her family along for the adventure.

Here’s what Dr. Marotta had to say about what led her to locums and how she’s making an impact in communities who need it:

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in ENT?

At first I thought I wanted to study international business, because I liked languages and people and traveling. But when I started studying business in college, I felt like something was missing. I went and talked to the guidance counselor and asked if I could get a science class with a microscope. The guidance counselor said, yes, but my happy business students don’t come in asking for science classes with microscopes.

She told me I should consider changing my major. At the time, I was irritated with her. But in retrospect, I realized she did a great job by recognizing that I was not on the right career path. My university had a dental school, so she had me shadow the dental students, and when I went to their gross anatomy lab I was immediately enthralled and loved it. So I switched majors [to health sciences].

In medical school, I thought I wanted to study infectious diseases, so I took a whole year off and went and worked as a microbiologist. I enjoyed the work, but I realized that I was going to miss having patient interaction, and I didn’t want to have a research-only career. I came back to medical school completely open minded about which path I would choose. 

My first clinical rotation was general surgery. I thought, I’m definitely not going to do that. But my first surgery was a cochlear implant surgery, and I loved it. The surgeon was helping the patient with hearing and communication, which tied into my passion for language and communication, and a lot of the surgery was performed under a microscope, which tied into my microbiology experience. That was when I first realized that I was going to love being an ENT. 

Now I look back and see that all of the things that happened to me before were leading me where I needed to be. It’s so cliche to say everything happens for a reason, and I used to hate it when people said that, but it’s kind of true.

What motivated you to explore locum tenens work for the first time?

I’ve been working as a general otolaryngologist since 2014, and I’ve always worked full time. I’ve lived in different places and worked in different kinds of practice settings––in an employed academic practice, in private practice, and in a small rural hospital as a solo practitioner––and I never had it on my radar to do locums. 

But then the small rural hospital that I was working at ended up closing. And once again, everything happens for a reason, because that was when I decided to try locums.

One of my apprehensions was thinking that if I went into medicine I was going to get stuck. I had this perception that there wouldn’t be a lot of flexibility. But that hasn’t been the case. I wouldn’t have ever purposefully sought out a different practice setting because I was satisfied working full-time in one location. But now that I’m doing locums and experiencing a more mobile lifestyle, I love it. 

How did you first get in touch with Hayes Locums, and what made you decide you wanted to work with your consultant?

There was something about Alec’s energy and enthusiasm that stuck with me. He has a grit that none of the other recruiters I spoke with had. He makes things happen. He’s not afraid to ask questions. Some people don’t ask questions because they’re afraid that they’ll get a “no” answer. But that’s okay with Alec. The only thing that wouldn’t be okay with Alec is if he didn’t ask the question.

Having someone who is a good negotiator, who isn’t afraid to ask questions, and who is a creative problem solver, has been so valuable to me. He’s stuck with me now [laughs].

Did you have any concerns about locums? How did Alec address them?

I was concerned about feeling a lack of connection in the doctor-patient relationship. Alec addressed that by connecting me to another doctor who had already been doing locums, and also by finding me a placement where I felt very comfortable with the continuity of care. 

I was also a little apprehensive about what the experience would be like for my family. Alex was really compassionate. He said, Why don’t we just try out a little bit? Let’s not overcommit you. Let’s give it a test run to see how you feel and if it’s comfortable for your family, then we can do more. If it’s not comfortable for your family, well, you tried and that’s okay.

What has your experience been like, working locums with your family?

I’ve had my family with me the whole time.

All of my assignments, we’ve traveled together. Alec rented us an Airbnb home, so we can do laundry and normal stuff like that. Our daughter is home schooled, so my husband has been picking up the homeschool responsibilities, which I’m super grateful for. My daughter is really adaptable and flexible, and she makes it easy for us. [The experience of traveling] has been exciting for her. 

We’re doing things as a family that we wouldn’t have been doing otherwise, and exploring a part of the country that we wouldn’t have otherwise explored. It makes the world feel like a smaller place, and it makes our home feel like a bigger part of the world.

What have been the most rewarding aspects of your locum tenens assignments so far?

In the rural community that I was in [before starting locums], I felt like I was an important part of the community. When I left that community, I was concerned that I was going to feel disconnected and not needed. But when I went into practice as a locum, I realized that I was uniquely situated to meet the needs of the hospital, the community and the patients.

Even though it’s probably not a permanent need, since this hospital is likely going to hire an ENT permanently, in the meantime, I’m helping keep their staff current and trained in ENT surgeries. It keeps all of the wheels of the ENT machine running, so that when they do have their permanent hire doctor come in, they walk into an already functioning machine. That feels really good.

We go into medicine because we love science and we love people. Doctors love to feel needed. We love to feel like we’re helping people and doing something important and being part of a community. The most rewarding part of locums is feeling like I’m meeting a need.

*This interview has been edited for clarity and length.