When a healthcare facility faces staffing shortages or increased patient volume, they often turn to locum tenens providers for temporary help. These physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and dentists take short- or long-term assignments at hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other treatment centers, filling in for permanent providers or supplementing existing staff. However, taking on locum tenens providers brings challenges—while locums are highly-skilled and adaptable, transitioning to a new facility can be difficult for anyone to adjust to. Here are four tips for seamless locum tenens integration to ensure your providers are ready to hit the ground running on the first day.
1. Streamline the Onboarding Process
From verifying the authenticity of a provider’s medical license, to ensuring they have valid medical malpractice insurance, there are a lot of boxes you need to check before you can welcome a locum tenens provider at your facility. Delays in this process can hold up crucial patient care, so it’s important that there’s a streamlined onboarding process that your new provider, or the staffing agency you’re working with, can follow.
A standardized onboarding package for the providers and agencies you’re working with will make all the difference in getting providers into your facility and caring for patients. Build a “one-stop-shop” detailing all of the information you need, whether this is a single document or an online portal that makes it simple to determine what needs to be submitted from the provider or agency.
Luckily, Barton Associates makes it easy for hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities to onboard providers, as we keep all of the providers’ relevant information on hand for easy access. When you partner with us, your account manager will work with our internal licensing and credentialing teams to ensure that you have all of the information you need.
2. Provide a Comprehensive Orientation
Put yourself in the shoes of a locum tenens provider—what would you want to know about your facility before starting an assignment? Crafting a comprehensive orientation for the locum tenens providers you take on will streamline their integration into your facility, equipping them with insights specific to your organization that will enable them to do the best job possible.
When building your locum tenens orientation, consider covering the following topics:
- Facility policies and procedures
- Emergency protocols
- Dress code and ID badge issuance
- Parking and facility access information
- Electronic health record (EHR) system access and training
- Equipment and technology walkthroughs
- Treatment guidelines and standards of patient care
- Compliance training (HIPAA, patient privacy)
- Safety and infection control procedures
- Human resources information
Locum tenens providers have a lot of experience working in different work environments, meaning they’re incredibly adaptable—but they’re still people, and your facility works differently than others—so it’s important to be clear with expectations and procedures.
3. Ensure Clear Communication, Before and During the Assignment
No one wants to be offered a job only to never hear from the facility until a day or two before an assignment begins. Likewise, locum tenens providers often value feedback on their performance, especially during the first few weeks of their assignment.
That’s why it’s critical that you maintain clear lines of communication before and during the assignment. Set clear expectations for your providers, and make sure they understand what they need to do as they’re being onboarded or at your facility providing care to patients. And while it might not be typical for your permanent providers, consider setting up time for regular check-ins or feedback sessions while the locum tenens provider is on assignment. This way, both you and the provider can make sure you’re on the same page.
Your Barton Associates account executive will be your main point of contact, and they will oftentimes be responsible for relaying important information before the assignment begins to the provider. Working alongside our recruiters, your Barton account executive will work with you to ensure the locum you’re taking into your facility is clued into any critical communications.
4. Foster a Welcoming Environment
Creating a welcoming atmosphere for locum tenens providers is crucial for their successful integration and overall job satisfaction. Start by organizing a brief meet-and-greet session with key staff members and consider assigning a mentor or buddy who can serve as a go-to person for questions or concerns.
Include locum tenens providers in team activities and ensure they have access to all necessary tools and information. Regularly acknowledge their contributions and provide constructive feedback to show that you value their work.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare facilities can create an environment where locum tenens providers feel welcomed, valued, and set up for success. This not only benefits the temporary staff but also contributes to better patient care and overall facility operations.
Staff Locums at Your Healthcare Facility with Barton Associates
Need staffing solutions at your healthcare facility? Contact us today and we’ll connect you with highly-skilled locum tenens providers so that your patients get the care they deserve.
