Nephrologists Get Temporary Staffing Stress Relief
Foundation Physician Staffing makes taking a vacation easier with locum tenens physicians.
Oklahoma City (PRWEB) August 21, 2008
Finding a way to spend time away from the office has often presented a dilemma for nephrologists, the doctors who specialize in kidney and dialysis-related health issues; those who take vacations to improve their work-life balance often face the reality that their practice will lose money while they're gone.
Traditionally, the typical coverage options doctors have had include reciprocal coverage (asking a physician from another practice to cover, and then returning the favor when that physician wants time off); scheduling a heavier patient load around vacation time to make up for lost revenue; or hiring an additional permanent physician. These three options require careful planning and additional costs and still might result in a loss of profit.
The other option for healthcare facilities in need of a doctor is to go through a staffing firm to get a locum tenens nephrologist. Although health systems have historically budgeted for temporary help during physician absences or peak periods of the year, using locum tenens - temporary physician staffing - is relatively new to the nephrology specialty. Using a healthcare staffing firm to find a physician makes sense; these physicians only work during the times they're needed, making them cost cost-effective. Staffing firms cover the provider's personal benefits and malpractice insurance, taking that financial burden off the shoulders of the hiring practice.
While securing a locum tenens physician does some preliminary costs, practices often end up making a profit; by maintaining the ability to have a specialist on staff to treat a full schedule of patients, the practice can fully maximize its reimbursements. Locum tenens nephrologists also help lighten the work schedule for physicians who manage more than one clinic. Sometimes time or distance can prevent a doctor from making the maximum number of visits to multiple clinics, thereby losing out on patients and revenue. A locum tenens can not only visit the additional sites, but they can perform duties only a doctor can handle, such as writing prescriptions.
For some practices, hiring an additional full-time physician is ultimately the best solution. These practices can take advantage of using locum tenens nephrologists to maintain a normal patient schedule during the candidate search. This benefits both practices and locum tenens looking for permanent placement, as they both have time to evaluate each other before making a long-term decision.
"Many physicians use locum tenens as a way in which to find their ideal practice opportunity," said Kyle Rampey, division manager at Foundation Physician Staffing. "Practices who utilize locum tenens have the opportunity to work with and observe a possible candidate. It's a win-win for both parties involved."
Foundation Physician Staffing is currently the only healthcare staffing firm that specializes exclusively in placing locum tenens nephrologists. Foundation works on behalf of the practice by verifying that all providers have the appropriate credentials and experience to ensure the placement of a reputable professional, saving the practice both time and money. It works on behalf of the locum tenens nephrologist by contacting employers, screening opportunities, scheduling interviews and making travel arrangements. Foundation does everything possible to ensure that both practice and provider feel good about their working relationship.
For the complete article, including a side-by-side cost comparison of hiring a permanent employee versus locum tenens, please visit www. foundationphysician. com to read "Can Nephrologists Afford to Take Time Off?"
More about Foundation Physician Staffing …
Foundation Physician Staffing focuses on temporary and permanent placement of nephrologists to hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www. foundationphysician. com (http://www. foundationphysician. com)..
More about CHG Healthcare Services …
Founded in 1979, CHG Healthcare Services is one of the nation's oldest and largest healthcare staffing firms. The company provides a comprehensive service offering that includes temporary and permanent placement of physicians, allied health professionals and nurses to hospitals and healthcare organizations in all 50 states through such trusted brands as CompHealth, Weatherby Locums, Destination Healthcare Staffing, RN Network and Foundation Medical Staffing. For more information, visit www. chghealthcare. com.
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