Utilizing multiple locum agencies with individual contacts for each specialty can easily become overwhelming and impossible to manage. Due in part to a lack of advancement and modernization in locum tenens staffing over the last decade, many organizations are now seeking new ways to streamline the process.
The burning question though is often, “But where do I start?”
Before understanding how to refine the process and secure locum tenens more effectively, you want to break down your process to identify potential areas of opportunity that cause bottlenecks or delivery challenges along the way. Are you approving your needs? Is your credentialing process causing delayed starts? Are you simply focusing on rate vs doing a true cost benefit analysis? Are you overly reliant on a single agency or two?
In today’s environment, the number of locum staff used is growing for almost all healthcare organizations due to labor shortages — that comes as no surprise. With strategic foresight into why and how you utilize them you can create a plan. By gaining access to rates, supply, and specific challenges (i.e., licensing, credentialing, conversion fees, etc.) among your local, regional and also a national level; it is truly possible to streamline the process.
For these critical insights, HWL has reviewed our clients best practices to develop a checklist that might help.
[View Detailed Hiring Checklist]
According to a report published by Ardent Partners, only 53% of high-performing organizations are able to convert contingent labor data into actionable intelligence. This is one of many reasons why more healthcare organizations are choosing to partner with Vendor Management System (VMS) and Managed Service Providers(MSP) solution providers.
HWL has been pioneering these programs within healthcare innovators across the country for many years and is proud that our partners constantly share their best practices and help us drive innovation in the market. To that end, here is one example of how we partnered with an organization, utilized the above checklist to lay our foundation, and build a years-long engagement.
Related reading, ‘Are You Paying Too Much for Locum Tenens?’
HWL’s client controlled solutions leverage proprietary technology to develop a customized program to source and onboard locums while mitigating against unrealistic premiums or additional fees that can sometimes be charged. HWL standardizes contracts, provides true rate transparency, and allows you the ability to run as much or as little of the day-to-day as you desire. By automating the process, your team and ours are able to create unmatched efficiency whether you utilize a few agencies or 50+.
HWL works with clients to help them achieve a healthy balance of locums usage, while also identifying areas of potential overuse to help in permanent hiring strategies. With demands on health systems, departments, and the providers themselves ever-changing, it is more important than ever to have a clear line of sight regarding your locum tenens utilization. healthcare labor market.
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