by Rob Berton | Aug 28, 2017 | Blog |
Why Is the Nation Facing Health Care Staffing Shortages?
Across the United States, medical facilities and institutions are facing an ever-increasing shortage of health care professionals. Due to a variety of factors, the worrisome trend of health care staffing shortages is expected to continue for the next several years.[1]
The Problem
One of the primary factors that seems to be creating challenges with medical staffing is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Implemented in 2010, the ACA has allowed millions of people to receive government-mandated health insurance.[2] These large numbers of previously undertreated people have been seeking medical care, and facilities aren’t as well-equipped as they want to be to handle the influx. In addition, the retired population continues to expand dramatically, as increasing numbers of Baby Boomers leave the workforce each year.[4] This results in gaps in the workforce, which can be hard to replace for a variety of reasons. In addition, as the average life expectancy continues to increase, more and more elderly individuals are requiring medical care. This puts even more strain on the system as time passes.[1]
While medical professions are some of the most attractive jobs in the United States (doctors regularly receive salaries in excess of $180,000 a year), demand appears to have outpaced supply.[3] Many medical professionals also show clear preferences for areas where they are likely to be paid more, leaving some regions with more physician vacancies than others. When there aren’t enough people staffed in a clinic, employees can become overworked, compounding the issues faced by health care providers.[1]
Possible Solutions
To deal with the increased number of people seeking medical care and the shortage of physicians, some facilities are using nurses as replacements for physicians when general care is needed. This can work effectively and provide care for those who need it, but this strategy can cause problems of its own. Nurse practitioners who provide general care in the absence of doctors are then absent from their original field, causing the shortage there to worsen as well.[2]
It is clear that many more medical professionals are needed in the health care workforce, which continues to grow rapidly with each passing year.[4] As the population of retired individuals grows and more people acquire health insurance, clinics will have to figure out a way to close the gaps in employment.[4] Attracting medical professionals with financial incentives is one suggested tactic, but this is not a cure-all for the problem at hand.[2] A long-term solution would be to enlarge current programs at educational institutions across the nation and work to attract more students to the medical field.[1]
There is no immediate solution to the problem of health care staffing shortages, but current problems can be mitigated by the use of management agencies and the implementation of more flexible policies.[2] As the health care industry has added over 327,000 jobs in the past year alone, clinics and medical institutions will have no choice but to continue to grapple with the problems posed by staff vacancies.[5] The field will remain highly competitive for the foreseeable future.
References
[1] http://orbiseducation.com/the-orbis-solution/shortages-in-healthcare/
[2] https://www.amnhealthcare.com/industry-research/2147484673/1033/
[3] http://www.businessinsider.com/highest-paying-medical-jobs-in-america-2017-8
[4] http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/hr/healthcare-staffing-outlook-strong-worker-demand-eyed-2017?nopaging=1
[5] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
by Rob Berton | Jun 25, 2017 | Blog, Locum Tenens |
Proper preparation goes a long way to providing a smooth transition when bringing in a locum tenen. It requires a small amount of attention and pays large dividends for you, your provider and your locum tenens patients.
Protect Your Patients
Gear everything you do during the onboarding sequence toward protecting your patients. The last things you want to hear about are medical errors resulting from a lack of communication or preparation. A face-to-face meeting between the current physician and the locum tenens provider goes a long way in decreasing dangerous errors. In fact, it’s been shown that this process can result in a 30 percent decrease.
Do the Paperwork Ahead of Time
Don’t distract the incoming physician’s first few hours with paperwork. This should be a time for getting used to operations, meeting staff members, going through initial training, etc. If the paperwork is out of the way, everyone enjoys a smooth transition.
Overlap Physician Schedules
Though it’s not always possible, try to arrange schedules so that the locum tenens doctor has the ability to follow the current physician for at least one day. The best way to handle the inevitable questions that come up is to have both people talk face-to-face during that first day.
Conduct a Complete Orientation
Give the locum tenens physician a tour of the facilities, especially the parts of the building they’ll frequent most. Allow them to discover where supplies are kept, meet the staff members they’ll work with most and otherwise get acquainted. Do a review of coding practices, how vital equipment works, documentation procedures and your electronic health care records system.
Conduct a comprehensive introduction to your hospital. Whether you invest a full day or only a couple hours will depend on how long your incoming physician will work locum tenens at your facility.
One Main Point of Contact
Entering a new facility is stressful for even the most experienced locum tenen. Give this person one main point of contact they can go to whenever they need help. This creates a feeling of familiarity. It allows your incoming professional to feel confident that there is someone available specifically to help make his or her assignment a successful one.
Plan the Exit Interview
It’s vital that the locum tenens physician meets with your medical records team prior to leaving the building for the last time. You don’t want to get into a situation where orders are missing signatures or documentation remains incomplete.
Ref: [1] http://getbetterhealth.com/medical-errors-reduced-by-30-when-doctors-required-to-speak-to-one-another-at-shift-change/2014.11.06
by Rob Berton | Jun 17, 2017 | Blog, Locum Tenens |
The increased demand for urgent emergency room care has meant increased staff shortages at many hospitals. Many facilities are now turning to locum tenens to compensate for staffing issues.
Locum Tenens as Emergency Medical Professionals
There are more than 100 million emergency room visits in the United States per year, and the demand for such care has been steadily increasing. Because of this increased need for ER staff, more hospitals are turning to locum tenens to fill the void and retain optimal levels of patient care.
Meeting a Demand for ER Care
Even with changes to health care coverage and availability, many people are still in the habit of only seeking care when it’s absolutely necessary. Because of this ongoing trend, there’s an increased demand for qualified ER doctors to provide sufficient care and help manage the patient load. More and more medical facilities are seeking to enhance their ER staff with temporary physicians. According to various estimates, anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of hospitals now use locum tenens to fill ER positions and maintain sufficient staff levels.
Quickly Developing Skills and Competencies
For physicians willing to work in a variety of settings, locum tenen positions as emergency medical professionals present several unique opportunities. Working in an ER setting often means having to apply a variety of skills to address everything from unexplained aches and pains to serious injuries that require immediate attention.
Working in an ER as a locum tenen also means a chance to practically apply skills and demonstrate competencies that may make you a more appealing applicant for future positions, such as the ability to quickly assess symptoms to determine the best approach to care. In addition, pay rates are often higher for ER physicians.
Improving the Patient Experience
The increased reliance on locum tenens as emergency medical professionals also means you’ll be improving the overall patient experience. Well-staffed ERs are often more efficient and full-time doctors won’t be as fatigued from having to work extra hours to make up for staff shortages.
Adding locum tenens physicians to hospital staffs can reduce patient wait times and speed up the process of making a diagnosis, providing care and recommending follow-up treatment. Working in an ER is just one of several opportunities you’ll have as a locum tenen. It can be a rewarding experience because you’ll work with patients with a variety of needs, making your time a positive addition to your resume.
References:
1. Emergency Department Visits. Available at: “https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
2. Emergency Medicine: The Good, the bad, and the ugly. Available at: “http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/750482”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
3. Demand Grows for Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Physicians Nationwide. Available at: “https://www.staffcare.com/demand-grows-for-locum-tenens-emergency-medicine-physicians-nationwide/”. Accessed April 21, 2017.
by Rob Berton | Jun 10, 2017 | Blog, Locum Tenens |
There are three key points to keep in mind when negotiating a successful contract for a physician.
How to Successfully Negotiate a Physician’s Contract
The prevalence of chronic diseases and the aging of the population have resulted in a high demand for physician services. When negotiating a physician contract with any new employee, keep these three key points in mind.
Balancing Risks and Revenue
During any contract negotiation, both parties must balance the risks versus the revenue. When negotiating a contract with a particular physician, your medical practice or hospital must balance risks such as a lack of experience or the opportunity cost of hiring this physician as opposed to another candidate who might apply with the potential revenue that the physician can bring to the organization. If the doctor turns out to be a bad fit for your clinic, you would be out the costs of hiring and be short-staffed until a replacement physician can be hired. On the physician’s side of the contract, the doctor must balance the risk of tying himself or herself to an organization against the income that working for your hospital will provide.
Take Negotiations Step by Step
Negotiating the contract for a physician is not a sprint. Think of the process as a marathon. It will take a while, and you need to take it step by step in order to succeed at reaching the finish line. Consider each term of the negotiation as one step in the process. For example, first consider the start date when the physician will join your organization. Then, consider the scheduling, followed by the work duties, on-call requirements and end date of the contract.
Remember That Everything Is Negotiable
It is essential to remember that everything is negotiable when you are working on a physician contract. You could negotiate for anything within the law, from wages to work hours and uniforms. Prioritize what you want the most for your organization, and focus on those aspects. If you get two out of your three most desirable terms and the physician is able to negotiate for items of his or her interest, such as paid time off, flexible hours for work and family balance, or a longer daily lunch break, consider your negotiations a success.
References:
1. http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/contract-negotiation-basics-33337.html
2. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248732
by Rob Berton | Jun 5, 2017 | Blog, Locum Tenens |
Increase your odds of landing the locum tenen position that’s right for you by being as prepared as possible for the interview.
How to Prepare for Your Interview as a Locum Tenen
Locum tenen positions can present opportunities to build your resume with practical, real-world experiences. Once you find available positions, the next step is to prepare for the interview. While you may not become a permanent member of the staff, you’re still going to face stiff competition. You want to make that critical good first impression.
Understand What the Employer Expects
The first step in preparing for an interview is to get a solid idea of what’s expected for the position. Read the job description carefully. There may be details you can use to fine-tune your resume to the particular qualities and skills that matter most to a potential employer. Do your research on the hospital, clinic or practice where you may be working by:
• Visiting the facility’s website
• Reading profiles of key players, such as doctors, department heads and board members
• Checking out social media to see where the facility’s focus is with patient care
Arrive on Time with Extra CV Copies
Arrive about 15 to 20 minutes early so that you can get a general feel of the place. You’ll be able to take a moment to calm your nerves and get in the right frame of mind. Bring extra copies of your CV or resume in case other hospital personnel request it.
Be Ready to Discuss Details on Your Resume
Don’t include anything on your resume that you can’t clearly discuss. Leave out any previous experience that’s not relevant to the locum tenen position you’re seeking. Be prepared to give examples of any skills or abilities you claim to possess, especially soft skills like problem-solving.
Be Prepared to Answer and Ask Questions
You’ll likely be asked behavioral questions in which you will be given a scenario and asked how you would react. The purpose of such questions is to get an idea of how you would perform on the job. Keep your answers clear and avoid rambling. Be prepared with a handful of possible questions that you may be able to ask when given the chance. You may wish to take notes and jot down any new questions that come to mind. At the very least, ask what comes next in the hiring process.
Finally, don’t forget to follow up on your interview. Start by sending a thank-you note rather than a simple email that may get lost in an inbox. Write a quick note on actual paper as soon as the interview is over and still fresh in your mind. If you haven’t heard anything back in a few days, send an email or make a call. It never hurts to show a sincere interest. The skills you use to look for locum tenen positions could help you find the perfect long-term position.
References:
1. https://www.locumtenens.com/physician-resources/interview-tips.aspx
2. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/temporary-position-interview
3. http://allhealthcare.monster.com/careers/articles/3503-six-must-ask-interview-questions
by Rob Berton | May 25, 2017 | Blog, Credentialing, Locum Tenens |
Make your experience as a locum tenens professional a productive and rewarding one by taking some important steps and precautions when selecting a recruiting agency to find positions for you.
How to Choose a Locum Tenen Agency
Recruitment agencies serve important roles for both medical practices and health care professionals looking to fill available positions. When you’re looking for locum tenens opportunities, the first step is to find a reliable agency to help you secure temporary placements. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a locum tenen agency.
Availability of Locations
Not all locum tenen agencies place physicians across the country or anywhere in the world. Look for an agency that offers placements in locations where you’ll likely be able to travel without too much difficulty. It’s just as important to know what you want in terms of temporary work and locations.
Getting to Know You
Partner with an agency that’s going to take the time to know your goals with locum tenens positions and your capabilities so that they can accurately match you with the right hospitals. On a related note, make sure they understand the requirements and certifications unique to your specialty.
Accessibility and Communication
Choose a locum tenen agency with recruiters who are easily accessible if you have any questions or issues with one of your placements. This availability should include any assistance you may need with travel arrangements or sorting out any problems with payment and necessary documents. Accessibility and communication also extend to:
• Letting you know before CVs are sent
• Addressing concerns with facility policies and practices once you have been placed
• Handling licensing and credentialing issues
• Clearly explaining compensation arrangements, including frequency of payment and specifications for overtime and call duties
Understanding Potential Work Environments
Do a little digging to see how much an agency knows about potential places where you may be working. Do they check on things like the general working environment and the overall safety and comfort of physicians and patients? Also, consider agencies that have stipulations in place to allow you to back out of contracts or agreements to work for specific periods if conditions aren’t as described.
You don’t have to settle for one agency exclusively. Be wary of any agency that asks you to agree not to look elsewhere. Most reputable agencies will allow you to maintain multiple relationships so that you’ll have as many opportunities available as possible. Also, avoid any agencies that ask you to pay; it’s the medical facilities that pay for these services.
References:
1. 5 Tips for Choosing a Locum Tenens Recruitment Agency. Available at: “https://www.locumleaders.com/news/career-tips/tips-for-choosing-a-locum-tenens-recruitment-agency/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
2. 7 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Locum Tenens Staffing Company. Available at “http://www.comphealth.com/resources/locum-tenens/7-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-locum-tenens-staffing-company/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
3. Tips on Selecting Locum Tenen Agencies. Available at: “https://www.nalto.org/tips-selecting-locum-tenens-agencies/”. Accessed April 18, 2017.
