Locum tenens or temporary healthcare providers are in high demand today. Staffing agencies are of great help in connecting these providers with facilities needing coverage. However, a facility must find the right agency to partner with for the best results. What factors should they consider when making this choice?
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Breadth of Specialty Coverage
When looking at Weatherby Healthcare staffing partners and other agencies, a provider should see if the agency can cater to their staffing needs. This agency should have access to talent from a range of specialties, including doctors, nurses, surgeons, physician assistants, and more. A facility can never know when it might need coverage, and having access to a wide pool of talent simplifies things.
Quality of Providers
An agency might have a wide pool to choose from but the healthcare providers must be of high caliber. How does the agency vet individuals? Do they screen each person to learn more about their licensure, credentials, and relevant experience? When the agency handles this task, the facility has less work to do when bringing the professional on. Ask about retention rates and average length of assignment, as these metrics provide information about the quality and reliability of their providers.
Responsiveness and Communication
Time is of the essence in healthcare. A delayed diagnosis can lead to a poor outcome for a patient. The locum tenens staffing agency must be responsive to requests from facilities to ensure there are no delays. When comparing agencies, learn how they communicate with clients. What methods do they use, and how long does it take them to respond to a request? Will they provide regular updates on the status of the request? Questions such as these are important because you need to know the agency will effectively communicate with you throughout the process. It needs to be committed to providing the highest level of service.
Compliance and Credentialing
Healthcare facilities must comply with many regulations. The agency needs to recognize this and use a comprehensive credentialing process to ensure every provider they work with also complies with local, state, and federal regulations. You need to be able to rely on the agency to handle this task, as doing so protects your organization from potential legal issues. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your patients are in good hands.
Flexibility and Adaptability
The healthcare industry has transformed in recent years. Staffing needs often fluctuate because of the changes being seen, and the locum tenens agency needs to be able to adapt. It must offer flexible solutions that meet the needs of the client rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Ask if the agency can provide short-term, long-term, and even on-demand staffing options to accommodate these fluctuations.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
As the healthcare industry is changing, the agency must remain committed to continuous improvement. Ask about ongoing training, professional development, and quality improvement initiatives. The agency should all providers are up-to-date with the latest medical advancements so they can deliver exceptional care.
Financial Stability and Transparency
Research the financial stability and transparency of the locum tenens agency. A reputable agency should have a solid financial standing, as you don’t want to find it cannot fulfill its contractual obligations when you need temporary workers. You also need to ask about the pricing structure so you can budget accordingly.
Carefully evaluate these factors when researching locum tenens agencies. Doing so will help you choose the right agency for your organization. With their help, you can provide the highest level of care.
