When your healthcare facility faces staffing shortages or requires temporary coverage, partnering with a locum tenens staffing agency can provide a flexible and efficient solution. Whether it’s for a short-term absence, a seasonal surge, or a more permanent vacancy, the right locum tenens professional can help maintain the continuity of care. However, selecting the right staffing agency is key to ensuring you find qualified, reliable professionals who meet your facility’s needs. Before making a decision, here are the essential questions to ask a locum tenens staffing agency.
What is Your Screening and Credentialing Process?
A staffing agency’s ability to vet and verify the credentials of its locum tenens providers is critical to ensuring that the professionals you hire are fully qualified and competent. Ask the agency about their credentialing and screening process. A reputable agency should have a detailed procedure in place, including background checks, verification of medical licenses, board certifications, and experience in specific specialties. Additionally, it’s essential to know how often the agency re-verifies credentials to ensure that their providers remain up-to-date with licensing and regulatory standards.
Beyond formal credentials, ask how the agency evaluates candidates' clinical competencies and cultural fit. Locum tenens professionals are expected to integrate seamlessly into your existing team, so it’s essential that the agency not only looks at qualifications but also ensures that the candidate’s personality and work style align with your facility’s values. The more thorough and transparent the screening process, the higher the likelihood that you’ll receive a candidate who can immediately contribute to your practice.
How Do You Ensure Reliability and Availability?
Reliability is a significant factor in choosing a locum tenens provider. Since locums are typically brought in to fill unexpected vacancies, having a dependable professional who shows up on time and is prepared to work from day one is critical. Ask the agency about their process for ensuring that the locum professionals they send are not only available when needed but also committed to fulfilling the entire assignment.
Find out if the agency has a system for handling last-minute cancellations or emergencies. Does the agency have a replacement protocol in case a locum is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances? It’s also worth inquiring about the agency’s policy on providing locum tenens coverage for ongoing shifts or extended periods if needed. The agency’s ability to provide reliable, flexible solutions can save you from unnecessary disruption and staffing gaps.
How Do You Support Your Locum Tenens Providers?
Support for locum tenens professionals is key to ensuring they are satisfied and perform well in their assignments. Ask the agency about the level of support they provide to their locums both before and during their assignment. Do they provide orientation or onboarding to ensure that the locum is familiar with your facility's protocols and expectations?
Also, please inquire about any ongoing support during the assignment. For example, does the agency offer regular check-ins with the locum to ensure everything is going smoothly? Providing strong support systems helps foster a positive experience for locums, which in turn leads to better performance and patient care. Agencies that prioritize provider well-being are more likely to send highly engaged and motivated professionals who are committed to delivering high-quality care.
What Are Your Billing and Payment Terms?
The financial aspects of working with a locum tenens staffing agency can vary, so it's essential to clarify billing and payment terms upfront. Ask about the agency’s rates, including how they structure compensation for locum providers. Are the rates competitive with other agencies in the industry, and do they match the level of experience and specialty of the provider you need? It’s essential to understand how the agency determines its pricing, whether it's based on the provider’s specialty, the assignment duration, or any other factors.
Also, ask about billing cycles and payment terms. Are payments due upon receipt of the invoice, or is there a delay? How flexible are they with terms if the assignment is extended or changes mid-way? Understanding the financial arrangements beforehand can help prevent any misunderstandings or unexpected charges down the line, allowing you to make a more informed decision about which agency to partner with.
Can You Provide References or Testimonials?
To gauge the quality of the agency’s service, ask if they can provide references or testimonials from other healthcare providers they have worked with. Speaking with other facilities that have used the agency can provide insight into the agency’s ability to deliver high-quality professionals, meet deadlines, and respond to urgent staffing needs. References also give you an opportunity to ask about the agency’s communication, reliability, and support services.
If the agency cannot provide references or if its testimonials seem generic or unclear, it may be a red flag. A reputable locum tenens staffing agency should have a strong track record and be able to demonstrate its successes through firsthand accounts from satisfied clients. Testimonials or references offer a real-world perspective on the agency’s services and can help you gauge whether its offerings align with your needs.
What Makes Your Agency Stand Out?
Lastly, ask the agency what sets them apart from other locum tenens staffing firms. What is their unique selling proposition? Do they specialize in certain specialties or geographic regions? What is their approach to customer service, and how do they ensure that you get the best possible match for your facility?
Agencies that can clearly articulate what makes them different often offer more personalized service and a better overall experience. Whether it’s their fast response time, an extensive network of qualified providers, or high level of customer support, understanding how an agency stands out will help you make a more confident decision.
