Author: MedCare Staffing (Page 2)

These days the healthcare industry has left many healthcare professionals contemplating their careers. Locum tenens work offers healthcare providers tremendous career alternatives. Whether you are seeking to transition into early retirement, moonlighting to test the waters in a new organization, or just exploring new healthcare opportunities, Locum Tenen’s work can breathe fresh air into your healthcare practice.

What Is Locum Tenens?

Locum tenems in Latin means place holder. A locum tenen’s healthcare provider is a person who temporarily fulfills the space of another. Many organizations like hospitals, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC), Dental clinics, and Urgent Care Centers employ locum tenem’s healthcare professionals.

Doctors, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Nurses and Physician assistants can all be employed by locum tenens agencies.

Perks of Working Locum Tenems

Locum Tenens companies offer healthcare professionals many benefits. Some of these include:

• Travel: Who doesn’t love a work-vacay? The best part about working for a locums company for most healthcare professionals is the opportunity to travel. Locum tenens companies have assignments in various locations across the country. A change of scenery can work wonders for your career and perhaps help you breathe new life into your practice.
• Better Flexibility: Healthcare professionals have more control over their workload assignments. They have the autonomy controlling their work schedules and tailoring it to their personal needs.
• Trying out new workplaces: It’s kind of like dipping your toe in the pool to test the waters temperature without the full-time commitment. The organization can also see if your personality fits their culture.
• Greater compensation: Healthcare professionals may have a greater earning potential working through a locum tenens agencies. Though agency rates and salary compensations may vary from state to state.
• Less administrative responsibilities: Locums work is temporary and for many this means less administrative responsibilities like teaching, taking call time, and paperwork.

. Locum tenens can be a great way to slowly ease into retirement for many healthcare providers without the fulltime work responsibilities.

NALTO: National Association Of Locum Tenems Organization

Although many locum tenem businesses are independtly owned and operated, NALTO, National Association Of Locum Tenems Organization was created in 2001 to enforce strong industry standards and practices for the locum tenens healthcare professionals. NALTO’s main goal is to set clear and effective parameters of behavior for all individuals affected by the industry, including both healthcare professionals and clients.

Locum Tenens agencies, who are affilitated with NALTO will strive to protect the integrity of their relationships with phycians by completly disclosing information relevant to the healthcare provider, requesting permission before distributing a CV, and striving to maintain strong relationships with a large network of clients.

Choosing A Locum Tenems Firm

In today’s healthcare landscape, there are thousands of locum tenens companies to choose from. So, how do you pick the right company without getting overwhelmed? NALTO has these suggestions that can be helpfull when picking a locum tenens company that provides the right fit. These include:

1. NALTO affiliation? Due to all members having to follow and ethical code, you can rest assured that these companies follow the highest standards of service.
2. Malpractice insurance coverage? Does the company cover the healthcare professional and are they concerned if you carry your own coverage?
3. Can the company pay their employees on a regular basis? Does the company have the financial resources to do so?
4. How accessible is your recruitment representative? Are they available to answer your questions and help you through the locum tenes process?
5. Will the locum tenems company be taking care of all your sign on details which include: licensure, credentialing, hospital privileges, proper travel and housing arrangements? 

Best Practices

NALTO enforces ‘best practices’ for all their affiliated Locum Tenen’s organizations which include:

• Obtaining signed contracts and fee agreements before CV’s are submitted for considerations.
• Healthcare workers permission must be requested before submission of CV
• Seek to resolve disputes between companies with minimal involvement from healthcare workers.
• Honor all contract agreements with clients and maintain communication
• Represent all client agreements and opportunities accurately and completely.

Furthermore NALTO offers standards of practice for both clients and healthcare providers to ensure the best possible business relationship. Clients and physicians should:

• Agreements and contracts with locum tenem companies should be honored and other forms of communication from companies where no formal working agreement exists should be rejected.
• Keep good records of all communication
• Communicate to the locum tenems company any changes in intention and or search criteria
• Respond promptly to communications from the locum tenens company
• Report any violation or infraction of the NALTO code of ethics.

COVID-19 has exasperated the healthcare workforce at many healthcare organizations. Locum tenens offers a fresh alternative for healthcare organizations to replenish their workforce. Healthcare professionals can also explore locum tenems work as a way to take break from their regular healthcare employment or as an alternative to extra income

“There is only one happiness in this world, to love and to be loved”

-George Sand

Love, it’s the thing that sells greeting cards and chocolates. It’s the stuff that ‘rom com’s are made of. But, is love really something stupid or can it actually save your life? Does being in love make you a healthier human?

It All Starts In Adolescence

Who doesn’t remember their first crush and or first love interest? The swirls of dopamine serotonin and oxytocin putting you in that first crush love high. Studies show that romantic relationships and experiences are important in development and social bonding.

 By middle adolescents, most boys and girls have been involved in one romantic relationship. Positive relationships experienced in adolescents with strong emotional bonding are vital in the development of romantic relationships. Although, there are studies that suggest there’s a greater chance for depressive issues in adolescents who are in romantic relationships.

Blinded By Love And Science

 An abundance of scientific evidence exists to prove that social relationships have significant effects on the human body. Various studies  have found that people who have low levels of social interactions are more likely to die than those who have greater social interactions. The risk of death in these studies amongst men and women with the fewest social ties were more than twice as high than the risk for adults with more social ties. Morbidity and mortality rates among married people are lower than those who are unmarried. Unmarried people were found to be at greater risk of heart attacks, cancer, and surgical procedures.

Heart Health and Love

The saying is true, “happy wife, happy life.” A 2013 study conducted by the University of Michigan found that women who were in happy marriages had lower risks of heart disease. Studies have also shown that couples in happy relationships had lower blood pressure ratings.

Relationships Influence On Healthy Behaviors

When your spouse, family member or friend tells you to stop smoking or not to have that second piece of cake, they could be saving your life! Social ties influence health behaviors in people by influencing or controlling health habits. For example, a spouse may regulate or facilitate health behaviors that can improve health. In healthcare, it’s not uncommon to have a spouse or significant other influence a patient’s medication or diet regimen. Meanwhile, a study found that married couples had a 10-15 percent lower risk of dying prematurely.

Partnerships and Mental Health

Being cared for decreases anxiety. Having a supportive loving partner will of course make you feel good about yourself. A study conducted in 2017 noted that being in a relationship had a positive impact on your self-esteem.

On average, married people have better mental and physical health than single people do. It’s true, a troubled marriage can also add stress to a person’s health which can cause problems. Distressed marital relationships can lead to depression. There are studies show that depression causes multiple issues in the body related to the endocrine system, nervous system, cardiac, immune and neurocognitive systems which can lead to premature death.

Better Sleep

We all need sleep better sleep. Partners slept better alongside a loving partner who is responsive to their needs. This was noted in a study conducted in Turkey with 700 participants.

The Happiness Factor

Harvard conducted a grant study over a 75 year period. The results found that overall good relationships keep us happier. So, if you are asking yourself whether or not you should put more effort into cultivating healthier relationships, the answer is yes if you want to live a longer and healthier life.

What Healthcare Providers Should Keep In Mind

Relationships are important factors to consider when healthcare providers are completing healthcare assessment on their patients. Asking a patient if they’re have personal relationships: spouses, romantic partners, and friendships could uncover data that is pivotal in diagnosis and treatment of a patient’s healthcare issue.  COVID-19 has caused much social isolation paired with increased depression and suicide. Heart health, blood pressure and mental health can all be affected both positively and negatively by relationships and marriage.

Frontline workers and healthcare providers have felt mental health burdens on an extreme level. There’s no doubt COVID-19 has caused increased stress, doubt and fear leading to burn out. However, there is a mental illness stigma that has been identified as a barrier to access treatment and recovery.

Here Are 5 Facts You Need To Know To Improve Your Mental Health

1. Physicians Face Greater Mental Health Risks

A 2017 study found that physicians are at an increased risk for burnout  as compared to other workers in the United States. Physicians die by suicide at twice the rate of any other profession. It’s estimated that one doctor dies per day.

• Symptoms Of Stress and Workplace Burn Out

Many people may be experiencing symptoms of stress and not even be aware of it. It’s important to be conscious of your physical and mental well-being. Especially when you are taking care of patients.

The CDC reports symptoms of stress include:

• Feeling irritation, anger, or denial
• Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
• Feeling helpless or powerless
• Lacking motivation
• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having trouble concentrating
• Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is common amongst healthcare providers who are suffering from burn out due to mental health issues. Stress related to being exposed to a traumatized individuals further describes compassion fatigue and what many healthcare providers are experiencing during the COVID-19 crisis. The characteristics of compassion fatigue include: exhaustion, anger and irritability, negative coping behaviors including alcohol and drug abuse, reduced ability to feel sympathy and empathy, a diminished sense of enjoyment or satisfaction with work, increased absenteeism, and an impaired ability to make decisions and care for patients and/or clients. It’s important for all healthcare providers to recognize these symptoms of compassion fatigue and seek mental health services in order to destress and decompress.

• Healthy Ways To Cope With Stress

When feeling stressed out and overwhelmed it’s best to focus and bring yourself into the present moment. Deep breathing techniques, and stretching are a great way to practice being present while working in a busy healthcare environment. Meditation and Yoga can also help alleviate stress and improve mental health. Avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco and finding healthier alternatives like walking and light exercise can also help you cope with stress and workplace burn out. Making time to unwind and getting better sleep are important techniques to practice on a daily basis.

• Telepsychiatry and Mental Healthcare Apps.

Studies suggest that healthcare providers should have regular screenings geared toward mental health evaluating for stress, depression, and anxiety by using multidisciplinary psychiatry teams. Telepsychiatry allows for greater flexibility and scheduling of mental health appointments. Many healthcare providers work odd hours which may make it difficult to seek mental health services. Mental health apps are a great alternative if you are struggling to handle your mental health on your own and are on a budget.

The COVID-19 pandemic left many Nurse Practitioners furloughed. Several NP’s lost their jobs and or temporary assignments. The surge in Registered Nursing needs in the healthcare landscape enabled several NP’s to rebound back to their RN roles.

Is going back to the bedside as an RN a wise decision?

Personally, I’ve volleyed back and forth from the NP role to the RN role in various different positions. That’s the beauty of nursing, you have lots of opportunities. Each time I went back to the RN role, I learned something valuable that I would not have learned in the NP role. At the time, I chose to make these shifts in my career, I was looking for a break from being an NP. Sometimes, I was looking for greater compensation and a better work life balance.

One of the biggest problems with rebounding your career is your ego. Your career should not define who you are. Instead, a healthy work life balance should dictate how you maneuver your life.

COVID-19 pandemic brought many opportunities.

Nurse Practitioners took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis opportunity to go back to the RN role on the frontlines. One NP reported “It was a nice break. It felt good getting overtime pay again.” Another NP stated, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to go back to bedside nursing as an RN during this COVID crisis. Although, I would not want to leave my NP hospitalist position to be an RN full time again.”

The CARES Act signed into law a 2 trillion-dollar economic relief and public healthcare package which also increased the need for more nurses at the bedside. Hospitals and staffing companies recruited nurses to work on the frontlines paired with robust salaries and accommodations. Petitions were even being circulated so that AANP (American Academy Of Nurse Practitioners) should strengthen the bedside numbers by having Nurse Practitioner’s act as bedside nurses during this crisis. Hospitals are now offering higher pay to recruit nurses due to overproduction of NP’s and RN’s leaving the bedside to pursue an NP degree.

Transitions Can Be Difficult

The transition from the RN role to the NP role can be a difficult one.  Responsibilities are greater in the Nurse Practitioner role. In some cases, you may be the main provider in your practice setting.

Changes in schedule, going from 12-hour shifts, 3 days a week to 8 hours 5 days a week may also cause conflict. Charting at home, working longer than 40 hours and not getting paid overtime are common complaints from new Nurse Practitioners. One NP in a Facebook group stated she had to take out several loans to pay for her college tuition and NP program. She further stated she felt the pay from NP to RN was the same in her state of residence. She was also having difficulty finding a job as an NP and regrated leaving the bedside.

Carpe Diem (Seize The Day)

COVID-19 brought with it a flurry of new RN positions. Some of these may include PCR testing, vaccine administration, and public health educator. The demand for ICU nurses is increasing day by day. If you find yourself furloughed, out of an NP job, or just wanting to take a break from the NP role, it’s best to call a locum Tenens recruiter and see what options are available for you.

More Doctors Are Leaving Healthcare. Could Working Locum Tenens Be The Answer To Stay In The Game?

COVID-19 has caused many people to look at their lives more closely and how they have been living them. About 25 percent of physicians are planning to retire earlier than planned as a result of their experience treating COVID-19 patients. Twelve percent are considering leaving medicine according to a Medscape report. The report also indicated that 62 percent of physicians said their income decreased since the beginning of the pandemic, with 33 percent reporting their income decreased by 11 to 25 percent. 

Doctors Having To Close And Or Sell Their Businesses

Thousands of medical practices have closed during the pandemic, according to a survey from the Physicians Foundation of America, which surveyed 3,500 physicians. The survey found that 8 percent of the doctors reported closing their offices in recent month, which the foundation estimated could equal some 16,000 practices. Another 4 percent said they planned to shutter within the next year. The Paycheck Protection Program authorized by Congress to help businesses, including medical practices, with the economic fallout of the pandemic, helped many doctors remain afloat.

Burnout And Strict Practicing Guidelines

Approximately 64 percent of physics report higher burnout since the pandemic started. Forty six percent said they are lonelier due to stay at home social distancing guidelines. Other doctors report that their reasons for leaving stem from strict practice guidelines which left them feeling constrained in their careers. Some have left their conventual physician roles in order to pursue start up ideas in healthcare.

Physician Shortages Are Predicted To Become Worse

There’s an increased number of people looking for primary care doctors after the Affordable Care Act became viable. An aging population that requires more care and more medical students choosing specialties rather than primary care are also reasons why there is a looming primary care physician shortage. A survey completed in 2015 predicts there could be a shortage of 33,000 primary care physicians by 2035.

So, what’s the solution? Several family medicine organizations have launched a long-term initiative called 25 X 2030. Leaders in this effort will work for the next 10 plus years to ensure that by 2030 25 percent of combined U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical school seniors select family medicine as their specialty.

Could Locum Tenens Be The Answer For Doctors To Stay In The Healthcare Game?

The word “Locum” comes from the Latin term meaning ‘place holder.’ A provider working as locum tenens is a person who temporarily fulfills the obligations of another. Therefore, In healthcare, a locums provider can be employed at a hospital or community healthcare facility that may be short staffed or need temporary coverage when another provider is on leave.

Locum tenens offer a variety of diverse experiences and the opportunity to see how various healthcare systems work. Locums also offers a diverse patient population from working in inner city to working in rural farmlands. If you are a health care provider looking for a change, are open minded, adventurous and flexible, you should definitely give Locum Tenens a try.

Some locum tenens assignments could be part time or offer a short-term assignment. Perfect if you are thinking about retiring from your full-time position, but you’d like to still keep one foot in the game. Locum Tenens can also be considered the ultimate ‘Work-Vacay’ experience. It’s literally paid tourism. You can work in amazing places that offer historical and local attractions that will add to your work life balance.

The media has created a COVID-19 vaccine frenzy. There are several healthcare professionals sporting their vaccinated arms on social media. Some nurses  were caught fainting on live TV. Are PCR tests valid? How long do COVID antibodies last in the human body? Why is “Rhona” so confusing?

Here are 6 facts that you need to know about the ongoing COVID vaccines and testing:

1. COVID-19 Vaccines

Currently, there are 2 vaccines authorized and recommended for COVID-19:

            Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine

            Manufacturer: Pfizer

            Type of vaccine: mRNA

            Number of shots: 2, 21 days apart

            Does not contain latex, eggs, preservatives

            Recommended for: people 16 years of age and over

            Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

            Manufacturer: Moderna

            Type of Vaccine: mRNA

            Number of shots: 2 shots, 28 days apart

            Does not contain: Latex, eggs, preservatives

            Recommended for: people over the age of 18

• COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

The most common side effects for both Pfizer-BioNtech, and Moderna vaccine are pain, swelling and redness on the vaccinated site. Chills, tiredness and headache are side effects are felt throughout the rest of the body which were more commonly seen after the second dose of the vaccine. Side effects that caused hospitizations and or death were few in clinical trials.

Bell’s palsy which is a specific form of sudden weakness in one side of the face, is due to swelling of the facial nerves, which is responsible for moving many facial nerves. In the Moderna group, four individuals out of 30,000 reported facial paralysis, 3 who had received the vaccine, and one who received the placebo. Four of the 43,000 participants in the Pfizer trial developed nerve paralysis. All of these were in the vaccine arm of the trial.

• Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Birth Defects Or Sterilization?

There have been rumors the vaccines cause birth defects and possible sterilization. Pfizer spokeswoman Jerica Pitts said that “It has been incorrectly suggested that COVID-19 vaccines will cause infertility because of a shared amino acid sequence in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and a placental protein. The sequence, however, is too short to plausibly give rise to autoimmunity.”

• Vaccination Considerations for People Who Are Pregnant And Breast Feeding

While the chances for these severe health effects are low, pregnant people with COVID-19 have an increased risk for disease, including illness that results in ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death compared with non-pregnant women of reproductive age. Additionally, pregnant people with COVID-19 might be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, compared with pregnant women without COVID-19.

There are limited data about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for people who are pregnant. No safety concerns were demonstrated in rats that received Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy; studies of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are ongoing. Studies in people who are pregnant are planned.

• What types of tests exist for COVID-19?

There are 2 different types of tests for COVID-19:

1. A diagnostic test can show if you have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others. Currently there are two types of diagnostic tests– molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigentests that detect specific proteins from the virus. 

• An antibody test looks for antibodies that are made by your immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus. Antibodies can help fight infections. Antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop after you have an infection and may stay in your blood for several weeks or more after recovery. Because of this, antibody tests should not be used to diagnose COVID-19. At this time researchers do not know if the presence of antibodies means that you are immune to in the future.

• Should You Get The COVID-19 Vaccine

Based on information from previous vaccines, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. According to the CDC vaccines will be an integral tool in helping prevent infection and spread of the COVID-19 virus. Stopping a pandemic requires all the tools available.

COVID-19 took everyone by surprise in 2020. The global pandemic exposed many cracks in the healthcare foundation and shattered the healthcare system. Will 2021 be more of the same? What trends can healthcare providers expect and prepare for?

Here are 5 healthcare forecasts all healthcare providers can anticipate in 2021

1. The Telehealth Boom Will Continue With An Emphasis On Telemonitoring

Telehealth made its debut in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic. Patients receive greater access to healthcare through telehealth service, especially those patients living in underserved communities. Mental health services in telehealth will increase and be more accessible to patients. According to a WHO survey, the demand for mental health services for multiple conditions such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or drug disorders, are expected to increase. From January to September 2020, the amount of people looking for assistance with anxiety increased by 93%. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, youth ages 11-17 have been more likely than any other age group to report moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. Mental healthcare demands will be a sizable driving force in this healthcare forecast supporting virtual patient-healthcare provider consultations in 2021.

Telemonitoring will continue to be a useful tool for both healthcare providers and patients. For patients with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes, devices and apps have been developed to allow healthcare providers to “check in” on things like blood pressure, blood oxygenation, or blood sugar levels from a distance. These at-home technologies make room for potentially life-saving interventions while isolation restrictions persist.

• PPE Modernization And Shortages

As COVID-19 hit in 2020, many healthcare organizations experienced shortages with PPE’s (Personal Protective Equipment). Officials from healthcare and manufacturing industries have predicted shortages of PPE’s could persist for years without strategic government intervention. It’s up to healthcare providers and healthcare organizations to ensure personal safety in the workplace and demand for appropriate PPE’s to be provided.

Technological advances and modernization in the hands or free technology will cause more hospitals and healthcare organizations to rethink how PPE’s are used. Hands free technology can save time and valuable resources. Much PPE is wasted. Every time a healthcare provider leaves a room to communicate with a colleague or get more supplies, he or she must leave isolation, remove PPE and put on a new set to re-enter the patients room. Voice-controlled devices worn under PPE will ensure healthcare providers can communicate without interruption in care.

• Physician Shortages = More NP’s Taking The Lead

In many communities, there is a decrease in physicians and healthcare providers. Only 8 percent of physicians enter a primary-care residency, according to AANP’s (American Academy Of Nurse Practitioners) findings published in 2019.The PCP shortage can especially be seen in rural areas. At the same time, Baby Boomers are aging, and the number of those 65 and older is estimated to reach 55 million in 2021, according to AARP. 

The number of NPs in the US topped 27,000 —nearly double the number in 2010. Annually, NPs complete more than 1 billion patient visits. Currently 28 states offer nurse practitioners full practice authority. More and more states are following this healthcare forecast. The UCA predicts that staffing models relying on NPs and PAs will “predominate as the primary care physician deficit continues and more states legislate enhanced scope of practices for these advanced practice clinicians.”

• Walk In Retail Clinics And Urgent Care Centers

CVS reported a 600% surge in the use of its retail health clinics via telehealth and a big jump in home prescriptions delivery in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. CVS operates more than 1,100 Minute Clinic Locations inside it’s CVS pharmacies and Target stores in 33 states and the District of Columbia, were big contributors to the company’s performance in the first quarter caseses of COVID-19 spread through the U.S.

In 2019, the total number of Urgent Care centers grew by 6%. According to the Urgent Care Association (UCA) there are roughly 89 million patient visits urgent care centers each year. In 2020 urgent care centers became COVID-19 testing sites as well as vaccine distribution centers and is projected to continue in 2021.

• Demand For Temporary Nurses Will Continue To Surge

There’s no doubt that the pandemic supercharged the existing nurse shortage in the United States. Nurses are always in short supply. With more cases of COVID-19 erupting and more frontline workers getting sick, the need for temporary nurses will continue to grow. Registry and Locum Tenens companies are sure to see a surge in nursing needs from healthcare facilities nationwide.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here

Managing a healthcare team while on a locum tenens assignment can be a challenge. You may be new to the organization. You’re not familiar with your staff or their skill level. Furthermore, the patient population and community demographics can make your practice even more demanding.

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford

It’s always best to employ patient centered teamwork and communicate this with your team so that everyone is aware of what the common goal is. An effective teamwork can immediately and positively affect patient safety and outcome. The need for effective teams is increasing due to increasing co-morbidities and increasing complexity of specialization of care. 

Team-based health care is the provision of health services to individuals, families, and/or their communities by at least two health providers who work collaboratively with patients and their caregivers—to the extent preferred by each patient – to accomplish shared goals within and across settings to achieve coordinated, high-quality care.

Organizations Core Values And Mission Statement

When you’re working a new locums gig, it’s best to educate yourself on the organizations core values and mission statement. Some clinics may have you go through an orientation process where the facilities mission statement will be discussed. In order for you to succeed and be in alignment with the organization, it’s best to incorporate these values into your daily practice.

Know Who Is Playing On Your Team

The players on your patient centered team can vary from clinic to clinic. Knowing who will be working with you and what their skillset is, will be the key to efficient patient care. Medical assistants, mental health care workers or social workers, lab services, front office staff, child life specialists, IT, security, custodial and cleaning staff are some examples of who can be playing on your team.

Some Important Questions To Ask About Your Patient Centered Team Are:

Will you be working with one medical assistant or two? Do they speak multiple languages? Are they also phlebotomists, or will you have to send patients to the lab for blood draws? It’s important to know what skills your medical assistants and what their scope of practice is in their clinic. You may have complete patient tasks that they are not permitted to do by their clinic. Mental health care workers or social workers, lab services, front office staff, child life specialists,

Fostering Patient Centered Team Dynamics

Healthcare Team dynamics are those psychological forces influencing the direction of your team’s performance and behavior. Those dynamics are created by the personalities involved and how they interact. Understanding a team’s dynamics can alert you to how successful it might be.

A healthcare team with positive group dynamics tend to have team members who trust each other. They work towards a collective decision and are held responsible for their actions. A team with good group dynamics may be constructive and productive, and it may demonstrate mutual understanding and self-corrective behavior.

Communication Is Key To A Cohesive And Successful Team

Encourage open discussions, enhancing a team culture and enthusiasm will help you to have a better day. Addressing any problems that may occur quickly as well as keeping team members alerted to any changes can avoid miscommunication. Always remember to speak to team members directly and invite them to reflect on their behavior is also a good practice to employ.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

For the past decade there has been multiple attempts to award full practice authority to Nurse Practitioners in California. On September 29, 2020, AB290 was signed into law by Gavin Newsom and Assembly member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) finally making full practice authority a reality. The serious shortage of primary care physicians was the main driving force catapult this law in order to improve access to quality healthcare.

“A significant percentage of physicians are over retirement age and new physicians are not keeping up with the need,” said Wood. “Of course, we can increase funding for medical residencies and loan repayment programs, and I have always supported those, but the reality is it’s not only an expensive solution but the number of residency programs will never be enough to meet the current and future need in California.”

A majority of physicians practice a specialty where incomes are usually higher. Nurse Practitioners are often found working in underprivileged rural areas. “Quality of Primary Care by Advanced Practice Nurses: A Systematic Review,” have concluded that nurse practitioners provide care of comparable quality as physicians, even when practicing without physician oversight.

On February 19, 2019 a final report was released by the California Future Health Workforce Commission which addressed the states shortages of primary care and behavioral health providers. The expansion of the Nurse Practitioner role was on the top 10 list. More than 80 organizations supported AB 890, including individual physicians.

The History Of The Nurse Practitioner Profession

Currently, there are more than 290,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the United States. Back in 1965, the United States expanded their Medicare coverage to include low income women, children and the elderly. At this time the US was experiencing a physician shortage particularly in urban areas servicing children.

Loretta Ford, EdD, PNP, FAAN and Henry Silver MD were called to action and founded the first NP program in 1965 at the University of Colorado. It became a master’s degree program in the early 1970’s. The U.S. federal government contributed money to NP education in 1987 and spent $100 million.

Although the NP profession continued to grow, Nurse Practitioners did not have full provider status in the eyes of the federal government and were not eligible for reimbursement. NP’s continued to fight to legitimize their profession. The role of the Nurse Practitioner has become important as more patients are covered by The Affordable Care Act and more states grant NP’s full practice authority. Today, 82.9% of full-time NPs are accepting Medicare patients and 80.2% are accepting Medicaid patients.

The term “Full Practice” means state practice and licensure law provides for all Nurse Practitioners to evaluate patients, perform diagnostic tests, initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications under the exclusive licensure authority of the state. Full practice authority varies in every state and due to tireless legislative advocacy, the state practice environments are constantly evolving.

What Nurse Practitioners Offer

Along with increased access to care, the AANP also lists these additional benefits to having full practice authority NPs: 

• Streamlined care. Allowing FPA removes the delay in care that can occur when an NP must consult or work with a physician to deliver necessary care. 
• Cost savings. NPs are more cost-effective in general, but FPA also avoids unnecessary service duplication. 
• Upholds patient autonomy. Some patients prefer to work directly with NPs and may even feel more comfortable sharing health care concerns with primary care NPs. 

California is the 23rd state in the U.S. to offer full practice authority to its Nurse Practitioners when it goes into effect in January 2023. AB290 requires the California Board Of Registered Nurses to define the minimum standards for an NP to transition to independent practice and once that has been met the NP can perform specific functions “ordering and performing and interpreting diagnostic procedures certifying disability and prescribing, administering, dispensing and furnishing controlled substances.” Full practice authority details vary from state to state. It’s best to contact the local boards of nursing to find out more regarding practice, prescriptive licensure, Practice acts and other details.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here

References

Are You a Locums Newbie? Checkout These 5 Tricks For Guaranteed Success On Your Next Assignment!

If you’re a “Newbie” in the locum tenens game, you’re first day on the job can feel like that awkward first day in middle school. You don’t know anyone, you don’t know what to expect, and you probably forgot your lunch! The locums landscape of forever changing assignments can sometimes skyrocket your anxiety through the roof.

You may be working in a new city, embarking on a new commute, entering into an unfamiliar office space with new coworkers and administrative staff. Science says people are “hard-wired” to feel anxious in pretty much any new situation. However, moderate levels of anxiety can facilitate and drive performance. The stress of wanting to make a good impression on your first day of your new Locum Assignment can also add to your anxiety. 

Health care professionals with higher levels of anxiety and frustration were more than twice as likely to report workplace burnout, compared with those with lower levels of anxiety and frustration, according to a study of primary care professionals published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. Moreover, primary care physicians reported burnout at double the rate of other health care professionals in their practice settings.

Fear not newbie! All is not lost, and your anxiety can be controlled with these 5 tips:

1. Be Aware Of Your Stress Level And Anxiety Triggers

            Caffeine, skipping meals, bills and taxes can all be triggers too anxiety. Try and limit         these as best as possible before your first assignment. Perhaps pay your bills or write         out checks and be confident that they will be taken care of to decrease your anxiety. Prescriptions like birth control pills and OTC cough and congestion medications may            create sensations that become anxiety triggers for you. 

• Be Confident And Smile

            If you have too much anxiety it can derail your performance. Confidence in your clinical skills is key to success. Trusting your own judgement and abilities along with valuing   yourself worth can curb your anxiety. Body language can help boost confidence. Practice an open body posture. Don’t put your hands of your hips or slouch. Smiling and         practicing open communication will project an energy of confidence.

• Get Informed

            Before your assignment, try and get informed about what is expected from you as           much as possible. Does the clinic you are going to work at require you to have a health      physical, urine drug screen, TB, and COVID test? Having these done before starting your           first day on your locum assignment will create less stress. Ask your recruiter as many           questions as possible in order to get informed on what to expect. For example, what             type of charting will you be doing? Paper or electronic? Do you have the option to work      telehealth? Where will you be parking and is it secure? Who is the person you will be             reporting to at the clinic?  How many patients will you be seeing? The more you know,    the better.

• Brush Up On Your Skills

Brushing up on your skills before starting your first day in clinic can help boost your confidence level and decrease your anxiety. Classes for skills like CPR, PALS, ACLS, suturing techniques, and several others can be obtained online easily. You may even want to check out YouTube for videos that will help you refresh your skills like adult physical exams, pediatric physicals, new baby exams, sports physicals, and pap exams.

• Network And Connect With Your Support Staff

            Getting to know the clinic staff and communicating your needs can help minimize your    anxiety. Introduce yourself, smile and be cordiale. Find out if you will be working with       the same medical assistants on a daily basis or if you will have a new person with you.          Ask them what the standard routine is of the clinic and how they usually work with         healthcare practitioners. Communicate what your needs are and don’t be afraid to let       them know your weaknesses.

Following these tips will help to decrease your “Newbie” Locum Tenen jitters and quantum leap you forward to success. The more confident you feel with yourself, the better your assignment will be. Anxiety can be overcome ensuring you a happy and productive assignment.

“Experience is not what happens to a man, it is what a man does with what happens to him.”- Aldous Huxley

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!