By Marc Naya, Vice President of Business Development at Epic Physician Staffing
Selecting the right locum tenens provider is crucial for healthcare facilities aiming to uphold high-quality patient care during staffing shortages. In this article, we will delve into the key factors to consider when choosing a locum tenens provider, including credentialing, availability, and the significance of ensuring a perfect fit for seamless integration into your team.
The Gold Standard: Finding Quality Locum Tenens Providers
When choosing a locum tenens provider, quality is the number one priority. However, quality can mean different things depending on the role and the hospital’s needs. It encompasses personality, bedside manner, and clinical skill sets. For example, if a hospital requires an anesthesiologist with OB experience, it’s crucial that the provider has that specific capability.
At Epic Physician Staffing, quality begins with a comprehensive credentialing process that is a standard part of how we operate. While this level of vetting may not be the industry norm, we believe it sets a valuable standard.
Each provider is thoroughly reviewed before being presented to a client, including gathering references, employment verifications, and case logs to verify their skills and experience. For example, to assess a provider’s bedside manner, we conduct detailed reference checks and past employer feedback to ensure they meet client expectations.
If a provider claims specialized skills, such as cardiac surgery, Epic Physician Staffing reviews their case logs to confirm their experience. This diligent vetting contributes to Epic Physician Staffing’s impressive 98% success rate in candidate start times—when a client accepts a candidate, they’re more than likely to begin work on time. By completing the legwork upfront, Epic Physician Staffing ensures clients receive providers who are ready to deliver exceptional care from day one.
Navigating the Complexities of Credentialing
Credentialing is often cited as one of the biggest pain points for locum tenens providers, mainly due to its complexity and extensive paperwork. Typically, providers are required to submit around 26 different supporting documents in addition to verifying their credentials through primary sources. This can lead to constant follow-ups with personal references, creating frustration and delays.
At Epic Physician Staffing, we streamline this process by handling the heavy lifting upfront. Once a provider is accepted, we ensure they’re internally credentialed, significantly increasing the likelihood of a smooth transition through the hospital’s credentialing process. We take the initiative to pre-populate the necessary paperwork, making it about 80% complete when it reaches the provider. This means they don’t have to restart the tedious process, which is often the most disliked aspect of their experience.
Our commitment to thorough and efficient credentialing is a cornerstone of our operations. It allows us to select high-quality providers while providing exceptional backend service that isn’t always visible. We highlight this diligence when speaking with clients, as it directly contributes to our impressive 98% success rate, ensuring that providers are ready to deliver outstanding care without the usual headaches associated with credentialing.
Availability and Geographic Preferences: Key Factors in Locum Tenens Success
A top-quality locum tenens provider must not only possess the right skills but also be available for the assignment. Availability is critical, and one of the significant factors influencing a provider’s decision is their geographic preference. If a provider prefers to work in a specific area, it’s essential to align their preferences with the needs of healthcare facilities.
At Epic Physician Staffing, we address these concerns through our dedicated licensing department. Our team expedites the licensing process, allowing us to quickly mobilize providers who are already internally credentialed. This streamlined approach significantly shortens the time required for providers to begin their assignments.
Additionally, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) offers a unique advantage. With a compact license, physicians are granted licensure in all participating states—currently totaling 40 states—with a single application. This means Epic Physician Staffing can efficiently fill open positions across a broader geographic area, ensuring that both the healthcare facility and the provider’s preferences are met.
By prioritizing availability and understanding geographic preferences, we can effectively connect quality providers with healthcare facilities that need their expertise, enhancing the overall efficiency of locum tenens placements.
Finding the Perfect Fit: Matching Locum Tenens Providers with Hospital Needs
Hospitals typically hire locum tenens physicians to fill the void left by full-time employees, making it essential to look for qualities similar to those sought in permanent staff. At Epic Physician Staffing, our focus is on creating a perfect match to ensure seamless integration within the facility. Often, locum providers remain on assignment for as long as needed or until a permanent solution is found. However, if they become well-liked, they may also be retained for weekend or holiday coverage.
Successful locum tenens providers must also adapt to various personalities at the hospital. Entering a new environment, they encounter unfamiliar nurses and administrators, making flexibility and interpersonal skills essential.
Furthermore, the nature of the facility plays a critical role in provider selection. For instance, a level 1 trauma center operates in a high-stress, fast-paced environment, requiring providers with specific experience. To ensure optimal placement, we avoid assigning providers who are accustomed to rural community hospitals to these demanding settings. Instead, we carefully vet candidates with prior experience in level 1 trauma centers, supported by case logs that demonstrate their ability to handle the required case volume.
At Epic Physician Staffing, we carefully consider each facility’s unique needs and thoroughly vet candidates to find the best fit. By emphasizing transparency and trust, we provide hospitals with candidates who are well-prepared to meet their specific demands, fostering a successful working relationship.
The Final Diagnosis: Ensuring Seamless Care with the Right Locum Tenens Provider
Selecting a locum tenens provider goes beyond just filling a vacancy—it’s about ensuring that the provider seamlessly integrates into your team and upholds the standard of care. By prioritizing factors like credentialing, availability, and facility fit, Epic Physician Staffing delivers exceptional candidates who are ready to provide quality care from day one, making your staffing process smoother and more reliable.
Ready to find the perfect locum tenens candidate for your facility? Contact us today to learn how Epic Physician Staffing can provide top-tier providers that align with your staffing needs.
About the Author
Marc Naya is the Vice President of Business Development at Epic Physician Staffing, bringing over 12 years of experience in the healthcare recruiting industry. Passionate about connecting healthcare professionals with impactful opportunities, Marc combines industry expertise with a commitment to excellence. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his three energetic boys, aged 7, 6, and 4.
