The Importance of Credentialing for Locum Tenens
Credentialing is a crucial and required step that builds strong relationships with healthcare providers and their agency and/or client. It is the process of verifying a healthcare provider’s qualifications and professional identity before they can begin working a new assignment. For locum staffing, this step ensures that locum doctors, locum nurse practitioners, locum physician assistants, and CRNA locum tenens are qualified to provide the highest level of care.
The credentialing process can take anywhere from a few days to several months. Understanding why this is important can help you appreciate the thoroughness and patience required during this period.
First Things First
The credentialing team at your locum tenens agency is here to help. They will contact you to get the process started. Here’s what you can expect:
Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork
The application process can be extensive, sometimes up to 150 pages, but your agency partner will assist by pre-filling as much of the application as they can. The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) can be particularly helpful during this process. Additionally, knowing which payors you are enrolled with, as well as your Medicare and Medicaid numbers, can expedite the process.
You’ll need to gather the following relevant documents:
- Current resume/CV
- Active state license certificates
- Controlled substance registrations
- Diplomas
- Post-graduate certifications
- Life-support certifications
- Immunization records
- Recent case/procedure logs
Furthermore, gather and submit the names and contact details of at least three references. It’s important to prepare your references so they can expect to be contacted by both the locum tenens staffing agency and the client credentialing team.
State Medical Licenses
You might be excited about a locum tenens position, but it’s outside your current state licensure. Most agencies have specialists who help providers obtain additional state medical licensing.
Advantages of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) greatly simplifies the process of obtaining medical licenses in multiple states, which is particularly beneficial for locum healthcare providers. Physicians can apply for an “Interstate Medical License” through their home state, where they hold a full, unrestricted medical license. Once approved, they can apply for licenses in other participating states, often with reduced paperwork and fees.
- To be eligible, physicians must meet specific criteria, including holding a valid medical license in their home state, meeting educational and training requirements, and passing necessary examinations. By participating in this compact, healthcare providers can easily expand their practice across state lines, providing them with greater flexibility and a wider range of job opportunities.
- Currently, the IMLC covers 40 states, which means that once credentialed through the compact, you can practice in any of these states without the need to undergo the traditional, often lengthy, state-specific licensing processes. This not only saves time but also reduces the administrative burden, allowing you to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork. The streamlined process is especially advantageous for locum doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and CRNA locum tenens, as it opens a broader spectrum of potential assignments and helps meet the urgent needs of healthcare facilities nationwide.
Ways to Make the Credentialing Process More Efficient
Communication is Key
- Be Proactive: Follow up with your staffing agency on the status of your application to help expedite the process.
- Prompt Paperwork: Return required paperwork quickly to ensure that your start dates are not delayed.
Preparation
- Alert References: Make sure your references know to respond quickly to requests.
- Organize Documents: Pull all documents together in an organized and comprehensive manner. Missing or incorrect documentation can delay the process, so ensure that all your paperwork is complete and accurate before submission.
- Anticipate Delays: Allow ample time before your intended start to ensure you are cleared to work.
Benefits of Working with All Medical
All Medical’s team is dedicated to successfully matching top-quality healthcare providers with top-tier organizations for every medical need. Here are some benefits of working with All Medical for your locum tenens assignments:
Full-Service Resource
All Medical offers a full-service resource for healthcare providers seeking locum tenens assignments. Our team provides malpractice insurance coverage, ensuring that you are protected throughout your assignments. We also offer assistance with facility credentialing and licensing, streamlining the process and alleviating administrative burdens. Additionally, we provide comprehensive travel and housing planning assistance, making it easier for you to focus on your work without worrying about logistical details. Whether you are looking for per diem or full locum tenens assignments, we offer options that best fit your lifestyle and professional goals.
Flexible Assignments
All Medical offers both per diem and full locum tenens assignments, so you can find what best fits your lifestyle. Whether you are a locum doctor, locum nurse practitioner, locum physician assistant, or a CRNA locum tenens, All Medical has opportunities that match your needs.
Conclusion
Getting your credentials in order before taking a locum tenens assignment can feel daunting, but with a locum tenens agency like All Medical on your side to handle all the details, you don’t have to do it alone. Don’t let the fear of credentialing or achieving the right state licensure get in your way. All Medical is here to help and get you on the path to a successful assignment. With All Medical’s support, you can focus on what you do best—providing excellent patient care.
Search jobs or sign up for job alerts here, or learn more about how All Medical could be the right locum tenens staffing agency choice for you.
