Locum CRNA Jobs in Pennsylvania

What Life Is Like in the State of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania blends major East Coast metro areas, historic industrial cities, rolling farmland, Appalachian mountain towns, and vast rural regions. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, the state offers steady demand across large academic hospitals, mid-sized community systems, and isolated critical access facilities that rely heavily on temporary anesthesia staffing. Its mix of high-acuity medical centers in the east and west, along with underserved rural hospitals across central Pennsylvania, makes the state one of the most geographically varied locum markets in the Northeast.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Pennsylvania work within major systems such as University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine), UPMC, Geisinger, Jefferson Health, Allegheny Health Network, Main Line Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, and dozens of community hospitals and ASCs statewide.
  • Locum CRNAs are placed in Level I trauma centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, medium-sized community hospitals in the suburbs, GI and procedural centers across the state, and critical access hospitals scattered in the Appalachian and northern regions.
  • This variety means that assignments can range from high-acuity cardiac, neuro, and trauma cases to flexible, broad-scope practice in low-resource rural settings.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Pennsylvania is a supervision state by default, but actual practice varies widely by facility. Large academic centers often use an anesthesiologist-led care team, while many rural hospitals give CRNAs broad autonomy due to staffing constraints.
  • Some community hospitals allow CRNAs to manage inductions, airways, and regional anesthesia independently, while others maintain closer supervision or medical direction depending on system policies.
  • The Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) advocates for expanded CRNA practice rights, rural access improvements, and reduced barriers to independent clinical decision-making.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Pennsylvania experiences steady demand for locum CRNAs due to provider shortages in rural areas, ongoing turnover in urban hospitals, and fluctuating case volumes across multi-campus systems.
  • Case types vary by region: academic centers may include trauma, thoracic, cardiac, transplant, neuro, and complex oncology; community hospitals typically focus on general surgery, OB, ortho, ENT, and GI scopes.
  • Rural facilities may rely on locums for a broad spectrum of cases and on-call coverage, often giving CRNAs more independence than their urban counterparts.

2. Pennsylvania Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Pennsylvania requires an RN license plus CRNA certification through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Requirements can evolve, so verification with the Board or agency is recommended.
• Turnaround Time: License processing typically takes several weeks. Delays may occur due to high volume or verification steps, especially for out-of-state providers.
• Malpractice Coverage: Locum agencies generally cover malpractice, while hospital-employed locums may be included under broader system policies. Always confirm limits and coverage type.
• Nearest Airports: Philadelphia International (PHL) and Pittsburgh International (PIT) anchor the state; Harrisburg (MDT), Allentown (ABE), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AVP), and Erie (ERI) offer additional regional access.
• Travel Considerations: Winter travel can be challenging, especially in the Appalachian and northern tier regions, with snow, ice, and winding mountain roads.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Costs vary widely. Philadelphia and some suburban communities can be pricey, while central and northern Pennsylvania offer more affordable housing and simpler logistics.
  • Short-term rentals, extended-stay hotels, and furnished apartments are common near major hospital systems and mid-sized cities like Harrisburg, York, Bethlehem, and Lancaster.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Utilities, groceries, and transportation are moderate compared to other Mid-Atlantic states. Cities like Pittsburgh and Harrisburg are notably more affordable than the Philadelphia metro area.
  • Parking fees can add up in urban cores, whereas suburban and rural hospitals typically offer easy, free parking.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum pay in Pennsylvania ranges from moderate to high depending on region and autonomy. Rural assignments often offer stronger compensation to attract talent.
  • Assignments with call or night coverage frequently include premium pay, making longer blocks particularly profitable for experienced CRNAs.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Philadelphia & Southeast Pennsylvania:
  • The Philadelphia metro has some of the highest-acuity hospitals in the state, including Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and Temple Health.
  • CRNAs may encounter trauma, cardiac, transplant, and complex surgical services along with busy OB departments and high patient throughput.
  • Suburban centers in King of Prussia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the Main Line offer more community-focused assignments with steady elective volume.
• Pittsburgh & Western Pennsylvania:
  • UPMC dominates the region with multiple hospitals, specialty centers, and high-acuity divisions. Case mix can be extremely diverse, from liver transplant to complex neuro and trauma.
  • Allegheny Health Network and community hospitals in the surrounding counties also depend on locum CRNAs to supplement staff.
  • The western region typically offers strong compensation and consistent volume.
• Central Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Hershey, York, Lancaster):
  • This region combines university-affiliated hospitals, community hospitals, and outpatient centers with reliable OR volume.
  • Assignments often feature general surgery, OB, ortho, ENT, vascular, and GI cases with variable autonomy depending on facility.
  • Locums in these areas enjoy simpler commutes and lower living costs compared to the coastal metros.
• Lehigh Valley & Northeastern Pennsylvania:
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network and Geisinger serve major portions of this region with busy OR schedules and multihospital structures.
  • Locum CRNAs may travel between campuses and support a variety of service lines, including trauma centers in Allentown and Wilkes-Barre.
  • The northern tier includes many rural hospitals with greater independence and broad case responsibility.
• Rural Appalachian and Northwest Pennsylvania:
  • Small community hospitals in Tioga, Potter, Clinton, Cameron, Clearfield, McKean, and Elk counties rely heavily on locum CRNAs to maintain surgical services.
  • Assignments may include broader on-call responsibility, more flexible practice expectations, and greater autonomy than in the larger systems.
  • The region is known for tight-knit OR teams and appreciative patient populations.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoors & Recreation:
  • Pennsylvania offers diverse outdoor activities: hiking the Appalachian Trail, exploring the Pocono Mountains, fishing in mountain lakes, and skiing in winter resorts.
  • Locum CRNAs placed in rural regions often enjoy short drives to state forests, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks.
• Culture & Food:
  • The state mixes urban culture with small-town charm—major museums, performing arts, sports teams, and rich culinary traditions in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
  • Local specialties include Pennsylvania Dutch dishes, cheesesteaks, pierogies, and a thriving craft beer scene.
• Climate:
  • Pennsylvania experiences all four seasons. Winters can be long and snowy, especially in the mountains and northern tier.
  • Locum CRNAs should factor weather into travel and housing decisions, particularly during winter assignments.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal car is necessary for most assignments, especially outside major cities. Public transit serves Philadelphia and Pittsburgh but is limited statewide.
  • Mountain roads, tunnels, turnpikes, and toll routes are common travel factors.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • Urban hospitals may have fast-paced ORs, high case complexity, and busy trauma services.
  • Rural facilities may require broader responsibilities, including OB coverage, call, and occasional emergency cases.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Credentialing speed varies by facility; large systems can require extensive paperwork and verification.
  • Clear expectations around autonomy, supervision, blocks, and documentation help locum CRNAs integrate quickly.
• Professional Community:
  • CRNAs in Pennsylvania participate in an active statewide network through PANA, with ongoing education, advocacy, and community-building events.
  • Locums who return to the same systems often form long-term relationships and secure recurring assignments.