Top 6 Tips to Compete for Advanced Practice Provider Talent

The demand for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) is expected to increase dramatically in the next 20 years (see other discussions of reasons why on this website). As the APP role grows in importance within the U.S. medical services delivery model, so does the choice of provider. Many times, selecting a locum tenens provider may be a good first move. It can help you trial a candidate before committing to hire full time. It can also keep your patient services delivery working smoothly, while you take the time to select the “perfect” long-term candidate. And finally, the Locum Tenens provider may bring a unique set of experiences that are only needed on a part-time basis for your practice.

The following are six tips to consider when you are ready to place more APPs within your organization:

1. Start Early

Strategic and recruitment plans should allow ample time to recruit a full time APP. We generally suggest 4-8 months for a full-time provider. But this time can vary. If the practice is rural, for example, a rule of thumb is add at least 3 extra months – time for the relocation of a candidate.

2. Be Prepared When Beginning the Search

Line up the right recruiter to assist with your search. Running the day to day operations of your practice will otherwise slow down your search. While staffing services at first may sound like an unnecessary expense, most physician offices understand the concept of billable hours and know that recruiting time can severely impact billable hours. The best recruiters will understand and keep your time commitment to a few meetings to understand your needs and final interviews from among the very best of candidates. If your practice is already extremely busy, don’t be rushed into making your long-term selection. Instead, consider locum-tenens staffing as a way to either fill a gap while you continue to look for the full time person, or as a method of “trying before buying” on candidates who are willing to work while being reviewed by you and your administrators.
Prepare a letter of intent and employment contract so you can make an offer quickly.
Be prepared financially. Be realistic about what it will take to hire the best candidate. With more and more direct patient interaction, the APP helps you retain and nurture patients. Finding the right one should the goal -- not be the cheapest way out of a good problem (i.e. burgeoning practice growth).

3. Offer Flexible Work Schedules

Many APPs are turning to Locum Tenens as a long-term work style that provides them the opportunity to balance career and family. Consider being flexible in your staffing strategy. Often times the locum tenens candidate who works as a contractor for your practice on a very long-term (but part time) basis, can provide a win/win situation for both parties.

4. Recognize Your Competition is National, Not Local

With the use of the internet, your recruitment competition is no longer just the group next door or the hospital down the street. By turning on their smart phones or computers, providers can quickly see opportunities all over the country posted on job boards and social media sites as well as those that come directly into their email inbox. Find a recruiter who knows how to tap into that network. In today’s mobile society, you may find a provider (for example) in New York, already planning a move to Texas. Why not use locum tenens as they make that transition? You won’t find them if you restrict your search to the local market – especially if you are in a smaller town or slightly more rural area.

5. Run the Numbers on Adding an Advanced Practice Provider

Hiring a PA or NP can favorably affect the profitability of a hospital or medical practice. Primary care advanced practice providers can receive 60–100% of physician fees for services provided. There is plenty of economic data available from AAPA and AANP supporting the economic role if the APP in medical practices. The APP can handle routine procedures, while freeing the physician to do more advanced work – a strategy proven to affect the bottom-line of the practice.

6. Think Differently about the Term ‘Locum Tenens’

Traditionally, Locum Tenens was used only to refer to physician staffing. As the winds of change blow through the Medical Services delivery system in the USA, assessing workflow, patient flow, and specialties required for effectively serving patients will become an increasingly important part of managing your practice. Locum Tenens staffing is the wave of the future for Advanced Practice Providers as well…allowing you to “flex” your staff in direct relation to changes experienced in your practice on a daily/weekly basis.

To find out more about the benefits of Locum Tenens staffing of Advanced Practice Providers, contact us at 877-740-0404 and ask to speak to an account leader.

What one practice leader had to say about AdvancedPractice.com:

Hello AdvancedPractice.com,

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the professionalism of Josh and Carrie. We are so happy to have such a wonderful Nurse Practitioner join our practice and we would not have been able to find Paula without the help of your very capable representatives. It was difficult dealing with the unexpected vacancy in our office but I knew the one thing I needed to do was take my time finding the perfect fit for a new PA or Nurse Practitioner. As an interim solution, I sought a locum tenens provider. Both Josh and Carrie made this process much easier than I expected. They both listened to all of my concerns and needs and asked very good questions. When I interviewed the candidates that were sent to me they were exactly what I wanted. Carrie even picked up the personality of our office somehow because I think that she knew how well Paula's personality would fit.

I was working with four other agencies and every candidate that I interviewed from everyone else was a complete waste of time. One PA did not see children, one was too far away and could not work everyday or from 8 - 5 and one was not even available. The list goes on and on.

Paula accepted our offer yesterday afternoon and I am very relieved and my husband and staff are so excited to have such a wonderful interim addition to our office.

Regards,

Office Administrator
Small Family Practice Office
Texas