Locum Tenens, often just called locum, is like a temp only it usually requires certain training. This makes it a higher professional’s level of a temp. When someone like a doctor is going to be away from the office for an extended period of time, he or she cannot just leave the clientele to find someone else; there must be a replacement for that office. Time away is often for vacation, maternity leave, or hiatus. Sometimes if someone quits or is fired unexpectedly, the company has no choice but to hire a locum to take on the work until they can hire a permanent professional.