Looking for freelance or contract work as a oncologist in Pennsylvania? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Pennsylvania offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Healthcare consulting or advisory board roles for oncologists entail providing expert advice on oncology drug development, treatment guidelines, clinical trial design, or healthcare policy to pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or medical organizations. Participation involves attending meetings, reviewing data, and offering insights on emerging therapies or practice standards. Work supports strategic decisions in cancer care innovation.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia is a major pharma hub; proximity to NJ pharma companies adds consulting opportunities for PA oncologists; Pharma advisory boards $400-$600/hr; Expert networks $250-$499/hr; Philadelphia pharma corridor (GSK, Merck nearby) drives demand
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Expert witness work requires an oncologist to review medical records, provide impartial opinions on standard of care in oncology cases, and testify in legal proceedings related to malpractice or injury claims involving cancer treatment. This involves preparing detailed reports on treatment efficacy, diagnostic errors, or protocol adherence. Assignments are project-based, focusing on litigation support without direct patient care.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Philadelphia has significant medical malpractice litigation volume; no major intra-state variation; Oncology case review $350-$475/hr; Deposition $475-$575/hr; Trial testimony $500-$600/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Locum tenens or per diem work for an oncologist involves providing temporary coverage in hospitals, cancer centers, or clinics in Pennsylvania to fill staffing gaps due to absences, vacations, or increased demand. Oncologists handle patient consultations, treatment planning, image reviews, on-treatment visits, and simulations for cases like breast, lung, prostate, and general cancers. Assignments often last weeks to months, offering varied experiences across urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Pennsylvania notes: Extreme demand in PA with 40+ active postings; Rural Central/Northern PA (one-doc shops) command $475-$550/hr premium; Philadelphia metro $450-$500/hr; PA license-only restrictions at some facilities (Penn State); Hematology-Oncology $375-$550/hr; Top PA posting $550/hr (Williamsport); Philadelphia $450-$500/hr; Reading $480-$490/hr; Hershey/Penn State $490/hr; Rural PA (Coudersport) $475/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire oncologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves oncology treatment protocol and imaging ai training — tasks like treatment protocol review, tumor measurement, clinical trial matching.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Fully remote — available regardless of state. Pay based on specialty expertise, not location.
Typical start timeline: 1-2 weeks
Getting started: Join the expert community and make a free profile on Folio to browse current oncologist AI training projects.
Chart review or utilization review tasks require oncologists to evaluate patient records for treatment appropriateness, medical necessity, adherence to guidelines, and insurance coverage decisions. This freelance work supports payers, hospitals, or quality assurance programs by identifying over- or under-utilization in cancer therapies. Reviews are typically asynchronous and case-based.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Pennsylvania notes: Fully remote; Optum/UnitedHealth lists Philadelphia PA as location option for oncology UM director; UM Medical Director (Oncology) $125-$175/hr; Peer-to-peer reviews $150-$275/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Telemedicine work allows oncologists to conduct virtual consultations, follow-up visits, treatment monitoring, and second opinions for cancer patients via video platforms from anywhere. It involves reviewing scans, discussing chemotherapy plans, and managing supportive care remotely. This expands access to specialized oncology care, especially for rural Pennsylvania patients.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Pennsylvania notes: No geographic variation for remote; PA licensing required; growing telehealth demand for rural PA cancer patients; Oncology specialist telehealth $140-$250/hr; General telemedicine physician avg $115/hr nationally
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for oncologists in Pennsylvania?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$600/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$575/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($375-$550/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for oncologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$600/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$575/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($125-$275/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can oncologists work remotely in Pennsylvania?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$600/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$575/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($125-$275/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($140-$250/hr).
Q: What Pennsylvania license do oncologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Pennsylvania license from State Board of Medicine - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can oncologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 4-8 weeks, while Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 2-6 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 4-12 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for oncologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $200-$425/hour for oncologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects Pennsylvania oncologists with frontier research labs and healthcare AI companies looking for clinical expertise. The platform vets AI companies for project quality, handles contracting and payment, and matches projects to your area of expertise.
Typical timeline:
- Application: 3 minutes
- Credential review: 2-3 business days
- Platform orientation: 1 hour
- First project: 3-7 days from application
Current project focus (February 2026): Treatment protocol review, tumor measurement, clinical trial matching
Most oncologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
