The credentialing process is complex. That’s why it makes sense to work exclusively with a locum tenens staffing company that has the resources and expertise to effectively manage it, ensuring all paperwork is completed and providers are ready to report for their assignments.
Still, that being said, how can you determine which company is the right company to partner with you and your hospital, clinic, or practice?
Dedicated, trained credentialing professionals
For a start, you should seek a locum tenens staffing agency that employs well-trained, highly qualified individuals who will embrace your facility’s quality standards. Such companies are devoted to developing subject-matter specialists who consistently conduct thorough credential reviews, based on their client’s requirements, before presenting any clinician for consideration.
So, before you contract with a staffing firm, establish whether it has a standalone department uniquely dedicated to these tasks. At Weatherby Healthcare, for example, our Medical Staff Services team is charged with the ultimate goal of ensuring each provider placed on assignment delivers the highest level of patient care.
Internal and external credentialing teams
Of course, ensuring optimum solutions is often a multi-step process. For instance, a reputable locum tenens staffing company may have an internal credentialing division to conduct a full review of every application received. The department’s course of action may involve various primary source verification procedures.
And chief among its responsibilities would assuredly be verifying work history, obtaining professional references, and confirming the provider meets all the standards stipulated by the staffing company’s policies and procedures.
A team focused on internal credentialing should also be tasked with performing background checks, authenticating everything from a provider’s education and board certifications to DEA registration and licenses.
You will certainly want to ensure the staffing agency you work with initiates critical queries such as those sent through the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Federation of State Medical Boards to further investigate any claims history and sanctions against licensure.
Moreover, a locum tenens staffing agency that prides itself on unparalleled service would undoubtedly have a separate team focused on the external credentialing process. It would be reasonable to expect this group of professionals to assist providers in completing privileges for any given assignment, when applicable.
And team members would serve as facilitators for both the provider and the facility by assisting with the follow-up on outstanding verifications to expedite turnaround.
Exceptional support, customer service, and stellar communication
It would also be reasonable to expect to work with experienced credentialing experts who can quickly become well versed in the requirements and credentialing process for your facility. Ideally, to provide the most current and thorough expertise, individual team members should be well versed on credentialing standards for specific specialties.
And the team should strive to provide exceptional support, strong customer service, and stellar communication.
Working with a locum tenens staffing company that follows a rigorous credentialing process and holds accreditation will ensure the company assures to meet standards that enforce exceptional quality.
Simply put, each provider sent to your facility by a staffing firm committed to excellence in credentialing—and one that’s worthy of your business—should arrive ready to start his or her locum tenens opportunity and committed to deliver exceptional care to your patients.
