Working in a rural health clinic as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner is no joke. While the surrounding desert, littered with majestic Joshua Trees, may be beautiful, the challenges are significant. Lack of specialty-trained providers, scarce resources, and, of course, little or no access to mental health services are just some of the daily concerns that I faced.

Residents in Rural Areas Have Higher Health Risks

There are approximately 61 million Americans who live in rural areas, which include Tribal, frontier, and regions that are geographically isolated areas. In the past, most people who lived in rural areas were older and in a lower socioeconomic bracket. A 2020 Gallup poll study found that 31% of Americans prefer to live in a rural area versus an urban city. During the COVID pandemic and the ability for many people to work remotely, several families moved from big cities into rural, small-town communities like Joshua Tree, California.

According to the Centers for Disease (CDC), people who live in rural areas experience higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity. The five most common leading causes of death in rural areas include:

–              Heart Disease

–              Stroke

–              Cancer

–              Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease

–              Unintentional Injury

Maternal and Infant Health Concerns

Approximately 18 million women of reproductive age live in rural areas in the U.S. Closures of maternal health units and hospitals, as well as a decrease in the number of maternal health providers in rural areas; all contribute to increasing maternal and infant health disparities. Premature births, low infant birth weight, postpartum depression, increased maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity are crucial circumstances that contribute to the health and well-being of both newborn infants and their mothers.

An extensive 30-year background in pediatrics and maternal child health came in handy working in a rural clinic. My most significant focus with newborns and new moms was breastfeeding and newborn care. I would spend at least an hour with new moms and newborns. I would also assess the postpartum mom’s mental health and make sure she had enough support at home, and often gave the new mom’s my personal phone number as a resource in case they had any questions.

Mental Health: The Number One Health Disparity in Rural Healthcare

Access to mental health services is the number one health disparity facing rural communities in the United States. Suicide rates in rural areas are higher, partly due to lower public funding and limited access to mental health services. Some of the contributing factors include:

–              Isolation

–              Loneliness

–              Decreased access to transportation.

–              Access to firearms

–              Lack of specialty services

–              Cultural competency to aid diverse populations.

Elevated Cannabis Use in Adolescents

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in adolescents and young adult patients was a common diagnosis seen in my rural pediatric clinic in Joshua Tree. It often involved adolescents who complained of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting due to excessive marijuana use. All too often, the parents of these teens were in denial of the teens smoking “too much marijuana” and would find it challenging to have the teens stop smoking due to their friend groups.

The rural pediatric population has multiple risk factors that increase their vulnerability to adverse consequences as cannabis legalization expands across the United States.

Some concerns include:

–              Increased Access and Use

–              Greater Mental Health Risk

–              Cognitive and Academic Impact

Rural areas tend to have decreased resources for intervention and education to alleviate these risks. I personally spent lots of time educating teens and their parents regarding marijuana addiction. Handouts with online and community resources were given to patients and their families, which emphasized the mental health risks and cognitive impairments of long-term marijuana use and abuse.

High Risk of Opioid Use Disorders

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States. According to the CDC, in 2021, there were 106,699 drug overdose deaths in the country. The number of drug overdose deaths is rising in rural areas, where they now occur more frequently than in urban areas. The book and movie ‘DopeSick’ highlighted the detrimental effects of excessive opiate use in rural areas like the Appalachian Mountains.

Increased Need for Psychiatrists and Psychiatric NPs

The need for psychiatric mental health providers has been growing in rural areas. It is estimated that up to 65% of nonmetropolitan counties lack psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs. Over 60% of rural Americans live in areas designated as having a shortage of mental health providers. Some of the reasons include:

–  Escalating mental health care needs: suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, opiate addiction, depression, and domestic violence are on the rise in rural areas.

–  Role of Psychiatric Mental Health Care Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP): PMHNP can help bridge this gap by providing comprehensive mental health care, including diagnosis, treatment, and medication management. Their ability to practice independently is crucial in areas with limited healthcare providers.

– Telepsychiatry: PMHNPs play a big role in telepsychiatry enabling them to provide patient care and mental health services in remote locations.

-Policy Support: There’s increasing support for PMHNPs to address the various issues that exist in rural areas and work in the fullest capacity of their education and training.

Working in a rural health clinic has been a challenging and gratifying experience. I was able to spend unlimited time with my patients, ensuring they received the patient education and care that they needed. However, at times, I felt helpless due to the lack of mental health and substance abuse facilities in Joshua Tree, CA.

Are You Interested in Rural Healthcare?

Are you a healthcare provider interested in working in a rural area in the U.S.? Contact a MedCare staffing recruiter today and get started on your locum tenen adventure.

The post Innovative Care: How Nurse Practitioners are Revitalizing Rural Health Clinics appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

Healthcare is Growing Globally

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Currently, 14 % of adults in the United States are employed in healthcare. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in healthcare between 2022 and 2032 are projected to grow faster than jobs in any other industry, with an average annual opening of 1.8 million. 

Always Negotiate

Mastering the art of negotiations is the key to success, especially for a new healthcare graduate. If you can negotiate a career package that will help you financially and personally, you’ll be on the path to a healthy and happy career in healthcare.

Top Insights to Consider Before Entering Contract Negotiations

• Know what you want: It’s vital to assess what you desire in a job opportunity: Do you like to work full-time, part-time, or per diem? Do you want to work weekends and holidays? Are you ok with being on ‘call’? What base salary are you willing to accept? Are you willing to travel to different facilities? Do you want a certain amount of training before you are left to work on your own? Do you want an on-the-job mentor? Is the facility you are applying to close to your home, or will you have to commute? Do you use public transportation? Does the facility have access to public transit? Does the facility offer superchargers if you have an EV (electric vehicle)?

• Research is vital: Before entering a contract negotiation, it’s essential to research what other facilities are paying and offering as benefits compared to what you are being presented. Learn about the organization you are applying to: Do they share your values? Do you agree with the organization’s mission statement?

What are you bringing to the table?

• Know your value: Do you have a specific skill set that may benefit the organization? Do you speak different languages? Do you have any professional certifications? What computer programs and EMR (Electronic Medical Record) systems are you proficient in? Do you have any skillset in AI or VR (virtual reality)? Have you researched or published articles helpful to the hospital and or organization? What skills and job sets from previous employers could you use as a skillset in the position you are applying for? What type of internship or residency experience are you bringing with you? Do you have academic achievements that may help you stand out?

• Industry Knowledge: Did you complete your residency or clinical internships in a specific specialty? Are you specialized in one field like pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health? Have you done any community outreach work in the area where you are seeking employment? Have you created a product through innovation that could benefit the organization you are applying to?  

What should you expect from the organization?

• Patient population: What type of patient population will you be servicing? How many patients are you mandated to see in one day or care for on one shift? Does the facility have issues with staffing ratios and safe staffing? Have they been in the media for safe staffing issues? Have employees gone on strike recently? What safety precautions does the organization have to keep you and other employees safe? Have there been incidences of random acts of violence at the facility? How have these incidents been handled? Does the facility offer specific training for self-defense?

• What common complaints does the organization have? What keeps the management team up at night? Do you have a specific skill set that you can offer the management team? For example, if you become an expert at organizing grand rounds during your past clinicals or residencies, you could offer to start an educational symposium if one does not already exist. This skill could provide you with greater bargaining power.

Show Me the Money

Of course, the compensation you want to earn is essential when negotiating your first healthcare contract. But you may like to know what other benefits and ‘perks’ the healthcare organization can offer you, like:

• Licensing fee reimbursement

• School loan reimbursement

• CEU’s or CME’s

• Compensation to attend healthcare conferences related to your specialty

• Vacation and or sick time

• Health Insurance benefits, family leave of absence, and maternity leave

• Breastfeeding rooms and allotted time during your workday to pump

• Does the organization offer accessible on-site mental health services during working hours?

• Compensation for professional memberships

• Cellphones and personal laptops

• Transportation reimbursement

• Book subscriptions

• Mileage reimbursement for travel to another clinic

The Secret to Negotiating Your Contract

According to Carolyn Bupert, CRNP, JD, contract  negotiation attorney expert, it’s best to follow the 3 Ps of negotiation:

Prepare: It’s essential to familiarize yourself with how the revenue is generated and brought into the practice or healthcare facility. Ask the practice management for data. Become familiar with CPT codes, dates, and fee schedules. The clinician’s billing regarding salary and overhead costs will determine whether the facility is profitable. A clinician’s salary should come to about one-third of their total billings, and the benefits should equate to about 25% of the base salary.

Nonmonetary contributions to the practice, such as patient satisfaction, increases in repeat customers, and declines in no-show appointments, should be measured. Patient testimonials are a great way to demonstrate value regarding these points.

Probe: During the interview, ask about the clinic or healthcare facility’s financial health. Determine what the expectations are regarding employer profits.

-Threats and opportunities?

-What does the budget look like?

-Strategic goals for the organization?

Propose: After doing your research and showing your value to the company in the interview sessions, don’t be afraid to ask what you want and get what you deserve.

Renegotiation Clause

Typically, after 90 days, 6 months, and a year, you may be reevaluated for your work performance and be reevaluated for a promotion or potential salary increase. This is your chance to show the organization how you have benefitted them and if you’ve made the organization money. Essential questions to ask include:

1. How does the process of performance evaluation work?

2. Ask to see the scoring tools used to evaluate you.

• Who does the performance evaluations?

• Who will be evaluating your EMR charts and patient cases?

• Will you have to submit patient charts?

• Is your credentialing process going to be affected?

What Happens Next?

Silence. After negotiating your contract, you might not hear back from the facility immediately. Don’t panic! Always remember that silence is golden.

After receiving an offer, it’s always best to take time process the offer and give it at least 1 to 2 days. Don’t just jump in when you hear back from the facility with an acceptance or a declination. Ensure the offer you get is right and you are satisfied before accepting.

Are you curious about locum tenens? MedCare Staffing has you covered! Click the link to speak to a recruiter today.

The post The Secret to Successful Contract Negotiations for Newbie Healthcare Providers appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

It’s National Nurse Practitioner Week. Nurse Practitioners are a vital resource to the healthcare community, with over 355,000 currently licensed to practice in the US.

A Nurse Practitioner is a nurse with a master’s degree and who completed a graduate-level education at a university. All NP’s are registered nurses who the Board of Registered Nursing licenses in the state where they may be practicing. NPs have an expanded scope of practice over the traditional registered nurse role and may vary from state to state.

NP’s bring clinical expertise, leadership, and robust solutions to the challenges experienced in the healthcare universe. One of the main focuses of the NP profession is to reduce healthcare disparities with patient-centered care at the heart of the practice.

Bridging the Gap

The COVID pandemic revealed many cracks in an already fragile healthcare system. The disease burden was high, while medical equipment, hospital beds, and personal protective equipment resources were low. A lack of fairness regarding healthcare accessibility was found to exist primarily in the lower socioeconomic populations and rural areas. Once these patients were diagnosed with COVID, morbidity, and mortality rates were higher due to a lack of accessable healthcare.

Several policy changes emerged during the COVID pandemic. This catapulted the advanced practice role of the NP forward into more extraordinary evolution. Legislative changes were made allowing NPs to work to the full extent of their training and licensure.

Full Practice Authority

Nurses should practice full extent of their education and training. A recent study found that the main barriers in the practice guidelines for NP’s are in states with limited practice authority, further restricting patient’s access to healthcare.

Full Practice Authority (FPA) authorizes nurse practitioners to evaluate patients, diagnose, interpret, order diagnostic labs, and initiate and manage treatment. Prescribing medication is also included in the FPA under the board of nursing in each state. (For a complete list of FPA States, please click here)

Quality and Cost-Effective Healthcare

NP’s have a unique approach when it comes to healthcare. Care focuses on the well-being of the whole person, with particular attention on disease prevention, health promotion, and health education.

Various studies show NPs provide a 29 % reduced cost to patients compared to physicians. The same survey found that NPs are more inclined to refer and recommend patients for health education, counseling services, and smoking cessation counseling as compared with patients seen by physicians.

Specialties of Practice with Primary Certification

According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, specialties with primary certifications can be found in:

• Family Practice
• Adult Medicine
• Adult-Gerontology- Primary Care
• Geriatric disorder Adult Gerontology-Primary Care
• Gerontology
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Women’s Health
• Pediatrics
• Neonatal
• Pediatric Acute Care.

A Valid Asset in Long-Term Care Facilities

Long-term care facilities were hit hard during the COVID pandemic. A recent study revealed that many Medical Directors in LTC facilities worked virtually to reduce the risk of transmission while NP’s saw their patients in person. The study also found that NP’s were pivotal in containing the spread of COVID in LTC facilities, helping out where there was a need, extending support to patients and families, and acting as liaisons in fragmented areas.

High Demand for Psychiatric NP’s

Mental and behavioral health disorders are on the rise. On average, 70% of primary care patient visits are for mental health issues. Approximately 13-20 % of children in the United States are diagnosed with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders daily.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are in high demand, especially in lower socioeconomic areas and Federally Qualified Clinics. Psychiatric NP’s have advanced degrees in psychiatric mental health nursing and apply the nursing process to patients and families with behavioral health and psychiatric disorders. Many studies show that integrating behavioral health services like substance abuse and mental health services has drastically decreased anxiety and depression.

Netflix Promoting NPs

The Netflix show ‘Virgin River,’ now in its 4th season, is the perfect example of NP’s servicing rural areas of the United States. The protagonist is a nurse practitioner searching for a fresh start who moves from Los Angeles to a rural part of California to practice as an NP.

The Outlander series, also on Netflix, features a nurse as the main protagonist who time travels back 200 years. At one point, she also becomes a doctor. Perhaps you can say she was a modern-day nurse practitioner.

The Future of Healthcare Sustainability

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the role of the Nurse Practitioner will grow by 40% by 2031. NPs are not only healthcare providers; they are mentors, educators, researchers, and administrators. They possess a dynamic knowledge base that spans from academia to clinical practice.

According to The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, over 1.6 billion visits are made to NP’s every year. Post-visit, patients report an extremely high level of satisfaction with their care.

NPs are in a unique space to help mold healthcare policy and take positions as leaders to help guide elected political officials in the event of future pandemics. The ICAN (which stands for improving care and access to nurses ) act has been introduced into legislation which will allow for greater patient access to nurses.

Psychiatric NPs are in high demand and can teach FQHCs and community clinics to integrate behavioral health services into primary care.

Further legislation of Full Practice Authority needs to occur in all 50 states with nationwide approval of the APRN Compact Legislation. More Nurse Practitioners are valuable in underprivileged and rural areas of the United States where healthcare access is difficult.  

Travel and Explore the United States: Give Locum Tenens a Shot

You may not be able to time travel on a locum tenens assignment, but you can explore new and rural places across the United States. If you’re looking to make a temporary or permanent change in your healthcare career, MedCare Staffing offers a variety of locations and assignments. Click here for more information.

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Nurse Practitioners Bridging the Gap

The NP role has been ranked  the number one “best healthcare job” for 2022 by U.S. News. NPs are registered nurses who are licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing in the state where they may be practicing. With an expanded scope of practice, the NP’s role can vary from state to state depending on the Full Practice Authority laws in that state.

If it wasn’t for the great visionary Dr. Loretta Ford, the nurse practitioner role would not exist. Dr. Ford discovered that there was a need for healthcare providers in underprivileged communities. She then realized that nurses with expanded roles who gained specialized training to make clinical decisions on their own would be the perfect solution.

With the passage of the Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965, the need for NP’s increased. A major barrier to practice was direct reimbursement due to NP’s not being licensed. NP’s started advocate for themselves at the state level beginning in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. 

Full Practice Authority

NP’s have been lobbying for FPA and advocating for the expansion for their role since 1994. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Full Practice Authority (FPA) authorizes nurse practitioners to evaluate patients, diagnose, interpret and order diagnostic labs, initiate and manage treatments. This includes prescribing medications exclusively under the licensure under the authority of the state board of nursing.

Current states with FPA include: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts. Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington. and Wyoming.

The Newcomers

The Golden State

Due to the serious shortage of primary care physicians in California, AB290 granting FPA to NP’s was signed into law on September 29, 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The main focus of AB290 is to improve quality access to healthcare. California’s FPA will go into full effect in January 2023. AB290 requires the California Board of Registered Nursing to define the minimum standards for an NP to transition to independent practice. Once that has been met, the NP can prescribe specific functions which include “ordering and interpreting diagnostic procedures, certifying disability, prescribing, administering, dispensing and furnishing controlled substances.”

The Big Apple

New York is now the 25^th state to grant NP’s full practice authority. On April 9, 2022 Governor Kathy Hochul signed into the state budget of New York that NPs who have more than 3,600 hours of experience no longer are required to have a formal relationship with a medical doctor to practice. According to the AANP, NP’s in the state of New York can now evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage patient treatments as well as prescribe medications.

Prior to waiving this law, New York NP’s had a “reduced” practice authority. NP’s were required to have a ‘written practice agreement’ with a physician in their specialty area. This stated that the physician would review patient records, make referrals, be on hand for consultations. Furthermore, if there was a disagreement, the physician would have the final word. Stephen Ferrara, DNP FNP-BC, president-elect of the AANP stated: “NP’s in New York, often times were required to pay physicians in order to have this contract agreement which did not serve the healthcare system very well. New Yorkers now have a greater advantage to access healthcare for both their physical and mental well-being.

The Sunflower State

Kansas is experiencing a healthcare shortage in its rural areas. On April 22, 2022 Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279, a bipartisan bill, which expands the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN’s) removes barriers for them to practice independently. Governor Kelly stated that House Bill 2279 “will empower APRN’s to decrease local and reginal care gaps.” Under HB2279, APRN’s are required to comply with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements for safely prescribe controlled substances, as well as maintaining malpractice insurance and national certification for licensure as an APRN.

The First State

Governor John Carney signed HB141 and H21 into law on August 4, 2021, improving access to primary healthcare to the 1 million residents of Delaware. Bethany Hall is Delaware’s Lt Governor and a nurse. When both HB141 and H21 were approved by 20-1 votes, Lt. Governor Hall was present presiding over the state senate.

HB141 allows NP’s and APRN’s to practice to the full extent of their training removing the prior oversight contract previously needed between a physician and an NP. Some employers in Delaware may still require a physician NP practice contract. HB 21 allows for a ‘multistate” licensure entering the APRN interstate licensing compact. North Dakota and Delaware are the only 2 states to pass legislation even though 37 states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact for both Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses. AARP recently conducted a study in Delaware and found that 86 percent of the senior residents of Delaware stated that having greater access to healthcare was important to them.

States on the FPA Horizon

The Great Lakes State

Michigan introduced SB680, a bill allowing FPA to NP’s on October 5, 2021. The bill is sponsored by Senator Rick Otman and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Irwin, Senator Sylvia Santana, Senator Jim Runestad, and Senator Tom Barett. The bill will amend Public Act 368 0f 1978, inserting and changing language which states “The administrator may issue a controlled substances license to an individual licensed as a registered nurse under part 172 if the individual has been granted a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner by the Michigan board of nursing under section 17210.”

Improving Access to Healthcare Through FPA

The U.S. is facing a significant healthcare crisis with physician shortages in primary care and psychiatry. Currently, there are more than 355,000 licensed NP’s in the U.S. who provide healthcare in communities of various sizes and demographics nationwide. NP’s are known to provide a high level of service and care to over 1 billion patients a year. Research shows that states who adopt FPA have a better advantage to improve access to healthcare, address healthcare disparities as well as increase their workforce.

MedCare Staffing Providing the Highest Quality of Healthcare Providers

MedCare Staffing provides a hands-on professional leadership team. Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to work locum tenens or you are looking to hire healthcare coverage, MedCare Staffing offers dedicated professional support through the entire tenure. With 70 years of combined recruiter experience, we have a reputation for success. To speak to a recruiter today click here.

The post Your Guide to The Latest States Providing Full Practice Authority (FPA) to Nurse Practitioners appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

1. You’ll Only Find Work in Busy Places. Wrong

While there are plenty of locums positions with an exhilarating patient workload, and a fast-paced environment, not every assignment will be like this. This is true because facilities of all types use locums to fill their temporary staffing issues.

When finding the right fit for you, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the relationship with your recruiter is a two-way street. If working in a busy place is a concern for you, talk to your recruiter and take some time to discuss other potential options. The diversity of facilities that we work with here at MedCare Staffing can help in your search for what work environment will suit you best. If something a little more slow-paced is what you’re looking for, then we have plenty of rural locations that would be perfect for you!

2. You’ll Have to Work Full-Time. False

While many of the locums healthcare professionals choose to pursue it as a full-time job, that’s not the only way to experience locum tenens work. What makes this field so accessible is the fact that you can make of it what you want. If you choose to work as a locums provider on holidays or pick up extra shifts here-and-there, you have the option to do so. You are not confined to work as a locum tenens professional full-time.
You can use part-time locum tenens work as a way to supplement your income and sharpen your clinical skills in an environment different from your full-time workplace. If you’re looking for part-time or full-time locums has plenty of both to offer.

3. Patients Won’t Want to Trust You. Myth

The main reason this myth exists is due to the rare patients that insist on being seen by a clinician they know. And while this may be true, it doesn’t happen often, and most patients are content with their needs being met. As a locums professional, you will inevitably experience some trepidation when starting work in a new clinic. Still, the truth is most patients won’t be upset seeing someone who isn’t their usual clinician. And those patients that do can usually be won over with openness, honesty, and clear communication. Some locums opportunities are less about recurring visits and more about one-off care, like walk-in clinics and hospitals. This issue is rarely a major one, and there are always ways that you can work around it if it does show up.

Do you have any questions about locum tenens? Feel free to contact us anytime! We would love the opportunity to answer any of your questions.

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!

The post Top Three Locum Tenens Myths appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

1. A Good Quality Webcam

While a webcam is not technically considered telemedicine equipment, excellent video quality that comes with a good webcam can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful virtual visit. Not only does a high-quality video present a professional image to patients, but it helps to ensure a more accurate assessment of the patient and ensure clear communication. For those facilities that have multiple telemedicine rooms, a higher-end consumer-grade webcam may be expensive but is an overall worth-it expense. Not all telemedicine consultations require such high-quality video, but those that do can benefit from a good webcam, such as a dermatologist.

2. Reliable High-Speed Internet

Once you’ve chosen your webcam, it’s time to check on your internet connectivity. Internet speed and bandwidth are crucial to both delivering data to and receiving data from patients. To ensure that your internet is both reliable and capable of supporting telemedicine, check with your service provider and see if they can provide you with the bandwidth you’ll need. Your internet provider should be able to configure your network correctly, so it works best with the ‘two-way’ traffic that telemedicine calls require. The influx of uploading and downloading that is necessary when video conferencing requires a sufficient network to support it. Your internet provider should be able to give you solutions that will help you to maintain a higher level of network reliability without spending enormous amounts of money on networking equipment and services.

3. Digital Medical Scopes and Other Accessories

Digital stethoscopes are the functional, high-tech tool that telemedicine has been waiting for. The digital stethoscope works by using the microphone on the patient’s device to capture and stream audio files to the provider. This requires very little from the provider except for a pair of high-quality, over the ear headphones, and allows them to analyze the audio data in real-time. If providers and their facilities wish to keep these audio files for future study or reference, they may want to consider investing in a HIPAA-compliant network file storage system.

4. Tablets

Tablets are the perfect tool for any healthcare facility to invest money in. They are incredibly versatile, which makes it easier to adapt to any practice with just the download of an app or hardware purchase. Providers can use the tablet as an advanced clipboard, allowing them to take detailed notes that are transferred efficiently to an electronic health record system. Many digital health accessories, such as the digital stethoscope, have apps that allow medical providers to transmit, store, and then analyze their patients’ data. While a tablet can’t take the place of a PC, it can be a vital tool in the workplace. 

5. Visual Aids

Just as visual aids are used in an in-person visit, they can also have the same use in a telemedicine visit. Common aids such as pain scales, portion size guides, can help ensure that telemedicine visits run smoothly, efficiently, and quickly. For visual aids to be useful in telemedicine, they need to be large and clear enough to see in a video chat window or be shared through a digital screen-share in their digital form. These familiar aids can help to act as reminders that telemedicine, while it may be new, can be just as useful as a traditional appointment.

Are you considering Telemedicine? Contact a team member at MedCare Staffing today and let’s start the conversation.

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!

The post 5 Telemedicine Tools You Need appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

Locum tenens assignments help provide physicians and advanced practitioners with greater flexibility and career experience. Working locum tenens also allows them to travel, choose where and when they want to work, and decide if they wish to work part-time or full-time. 

Why are Employers turning to locums?

More healthcare organizations are making use of locum tenens physicians today than they have in the past. Locum workers used to be seen as a temporary fix to staffing issues but are becoming a vital part of the continuity of patient care.  

In addition to the issues the healthcare world faces with physician burnout and the uneven balance between supply and demand, facilities can’t afford to have gaps in their care. Vacancies in their facilities lead to long wait times, and delays in treatment, hiring locum tenens workers can bridge those gaps and help the facilities and continuing their high quality of care. 

Why are so many clinicians choosing locum tenens?

As the medical world continues to evolve, clinicians have more options than ever before. The flexibility offered by locum tenens work is only one factor in why it’s so popular. Clinicians get the chance to travel and experience a wide variety of different facilities. 

Getting to experience different facilities can broaden their knowledge, especially if clinicians choose to take an assignment in a rural or urban location. Getting to work and live in different areas helps to expand their horizons and could help them decide where they want to practice full time. But the main reason so many clinicians are turning to locum tenens is their ability to choose where they go on assignment.

Why choose MedCare Staffing?

It can often be hard to choose the right company for you when you choose to start working as a locum tenens clinician as there are so many available. MedCare is an excellent option for those just beginning in the locum tenens world, and we are a small, close-knit company that values not only the providers we work with but our clinicians as well. 

At MedCare Staffing, you are not only getting to work with a fantastic team, but you have a chance to work with the managing partners. This is a unique experience that sets MedCare Staffing apart from other larger staffing agencies. 

Reach out to us today and join our family, we’ll make sure to take care of you and yours.

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!

The post Why More People are Choosing Locum Tenens appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

Get Moving More

Clinicians are often on the move regularly throughout the day. Going to the gym after a long day can be the last thing on your mind, especially if you spent an endless night on call or had a day filled with caring for patients. Exercise isn’t limited to running on the treadmill or lifting weights at the gym. You can quickly get more out of your day by taking the stairs instead of an elevator or parking a little farther away. This helps to break up your exercise into manageable bite-sized pieces without having to spend hours and a bunch of money at a gym. If you’re wanting a way to see how many steps a day you’re doing, try wearing a smartwatch or exercise tracking watch to know the difference when you make these small changes.

Work on Reducing Your Stress

Working in medicine is stressful, regardless of your position. Even more, stress can be added to these positions when you are a locum tenens worker becoming a part of a new team on an assignment. Regardless of where you practice, it is a given that your patients will not act according to textbooks, which will, in turn, up your stress level.

While stress is a given in this profession, daily stress management looks different for everyone. For some people, a visit to the gym, walking around the block at lunch, or climbing stairs helps, while for others, meditation or deep breathing does the trick. Something that can help is a free mobile app called “Take a Break!“. The app guides you through a seven-minute work break or a thirteen-minute stress relief meditation. While this is a great option, and exercise is a great alternative, they both take a bit of time, so a quick alternative would be to take four deep breaths whenever you are feeling overwhelmed. 

Improve Your Financial Health

As a locums provider, it’s possible that you’ll be paid more than your colleagues employed by the clinic or hospital. Many of your expenses will be tax-deductible. A good rule of thumb is to take time at the beginning of the year to review your financial health, and whatever goals you might have for the upcoming year.

If you are facing a large amount of debt, try paying off the debt that has the highest interest first. After you pay your monthly obligations, pay yourself. By putting money away in your savings or into your retirement account, you are setting yourself up for financial freedom later in life.

Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution

First, you will need to be realistic. If you make plans to run a marathon when you have yet to run a mile, it is bound to fail. Instead, make smaller, more attainable goals that you can work on throughout the year. 

Share your goals with others; it will help hold you accountable. It only takes 21 days for a new change to be committed to habit, but six months for it to be permanently cemented in your daily routine. 

Keep track of your progress, and make sure to reward yourself along the way. Commit to 2020, being the year that you lead your best life and achieving your goals. 

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!

The post 3 New Years Resolutions You Can Keep appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

New Mexico

For those who love the outdoors, this Southwestern gem has plenty of miles of untamed wilderness to explore. Incredible snippets of culture and exotic cuisine are readily available in places such as Santa Fe and Taos. New Mexico offers many historical sites with dinosaur relics! The state is also home to the country’s largest hot air balloon festival. Not only does New Mexico have plenty of exciting things to do, but it also offers warm weather, modest housing prices, and 85 state hospitals.

Ohio

Ohio offers many opportunities for those who prefer to practice rural medicine. While the state does offer some larger cities that give you that ‘big city’ feeling, it is more likely that you’ll be practicing small-town medicine in Ohio. An excellent example of both rural medicine feel with big-city amenities would be Columbus, Ohio. There are excellent schools, job opportunities for your spouse, and the basic amenities of a bigger city. Ohio offers the best of both worlds.

Oklahoma

The Sooner State offers many opportunities to a wide variety of locum tenens jobs. The state itself is peaceful and relaxing, yet rugged wilderness is just around the corner. In Oklahoma, you have an opportunity to work either in rural or urban medicine! Oklahoma is also home to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and over 100 hospitals.

California

California is a fantastic place to work and live in if you enjoy the hustle-and-bustle of a state that’s always on the move. The state has much to offer in the way of entertainment, with historic landmarks and cities, as well as incredible natural wonders like the redwood forest. Whether you want to work in one of the state’s prestigious hospitals or a smaller clinic, the opportunities are endless. California is known to have more locum tenens jobs than any other state, and there are opportunities in almost every medical specialty.

If any of these states interest you, contact a MedCare Staffing consultant today. Or feel free to visit our job board by clicking here. We are adding new permanent and locum assignments weekly.

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!

The post Four States To Consider For Assignments in 2020 appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

While locum tenens professionals work with a staffing agency, they are not employees of that agency or the healthcare facilities they work in; they are independent contractors. This brings its own fiscal responsibilities, so we have compiled some tips for being money-smart while working locum tenens jobs.

Set Aside Funds for Taxes

Locum tenens workers are compensated in gross, which means that they are paid in full for the hours they work without any state and federal tax deductions. You are still responsible for paying taxes on your income earned during each contract. Most contract workers and financial advisors suggest that you set aside a portion of each paycheck to account for tax payments. That way, when April 15 rolls around, you won’t be caught off guard with a hefty tax bill. The IRS has a helpful form, IRS Form 1040-ES, that helps you calculate how much you will owe in taxes. 

Pay Estimated Quarterly Taxes

Most state tax agencies and the IRS encourage contract workers to make estimated payments every quarter, which means paying them in April, June, September, and January of the following year. There could even be late fees applied for missing these deadlines. It is also essential to know that contract workers are required to pay self-employment tax. This tax covers social security and medicare, and this payment typically occurs when filing your annual tax return.

Contribute to Retirement Accounts

A great idea to make sure that you have a retirement fund set up. An easy way to make sure that you pay into it is by putting away some money when paying your quarterly taxes. Not only are you helping to set yourself up in the future, but most of these contributions can be considered tax-free, thus lowering your overall taxable income. 

Keep Track of Records While on the Road

Conveniently, locum tenens staffing companies take on the cost of housing and transportation for assignments. While they take care of the basics, you are going to inevitably have some expenses while on contract, including meals. The IRS allows you, as a contract worker, to deduct costs of doing business away from home that are not typically reimbursed (i.e., meals). 

You should be keeping track of your receipts for the purchases made while you’re on contract. Still, you should also maintain a record of healthcare insurance premiums, licensing, and professional services, such as hiring a lawyer or accountant. These can be submitted as deductions, which are typically done with a profit and loss statement in your tax return. 

Dailyfinance.com states that contract workers who claim less than $5,000 in business expenses and who do not report net losses can use the Schedule C-EZ Net Profit From Business form.

Whenever taxes or finances are involved, it is always a good idea to be safe and check in with a tax specialist or a certified financial advisor, to make sure that you are on track.

While a locum tenens lifestyle requires you to assume a more proactive approach to managing finances, it is also true that this lifestyle can provide an impressive return on your investment in it. 

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!

The post Taxes and Locum Tenens. Tips For You To Consider appeared first on Medcare Staffing.