Hiring a new healthcare practitioner is a critical decision for hospitals. Hospitals need to consider a physician credentialing checklist that covers several factors before hiring a new healthcare practitioner to ensure they make the right decision. Some of the other main factors, the main factor that hospitals need to consider is to see the type of practitioner they need to hire. Hospitals should make the decision depending on the population of the patients and the required services for which the physicians are required. This will allow them to determine what type of practitioner they need at the moment. Thus, they will identify the need of qualifications and skills they require in a position.
Once the type of practitioners and healthcare physician is identified, now it is essential for the hospitals to describe the job duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and experience of the type of physician they want. This will create a sense of understanding that for the physician before applying for a candidate what is required, and hospitals will also have the confidence to recognize the correct candidate for the position.
Another factor that is considered for hospitals is the cost of hiring a professional instead of outsourcing the medical credentialing process. The cost of hiring a potential candidate for the most rewarding position can be significantly higher. For this, they need to consider if they have the budget to support the new hire in the current and ongoing scenario. And this goes for not only the hospitals and medical organizations but for the private practices.
In addition, the parameters and the current infrastructure also need to remain in consideration when hiring a new practitioner requires a smooth transition. This involves having adequate resources, hospital supplies to support new practitioners, and equipment for the same reason.
The criteria mentioned can only be ensured when the recruitment process of hospitals is robust and updated. A robust recruitment process includes background checks, conducting interviews, administrative screening, and applications. To provide safe and effective care, it has become an obligation for hospitals and organizations to perform physician credentialing to ensure effective care provision.
Keep reading to learn about physician credentialing that every healthcare organization must follow while opting to hire a competent physician.
Physician Credentialing Checklist
A complete physician credentialing process must be there to ensure that the hired candidate has the potential and qualification to deliver the care required. Plus, the candidate must meet the standards and has to be competent to provide care. Here is the physician credentialing checklist that every hospital or healthcare organization must need to consider.
Complete Application: Making sure that the information provided in the application is accurate and complete, meeting the standard of the state, medical board, or federal requirement.
Medical License Verification: Verify that the required physician or the healthcare provider has a valid working license with a good healthcare history in the medical board.
Verification of Education and Training: Validate the sources of the educational certification, either forming an organization or outsourcing the credentialing to contact the associated companies for educational certification.
Board Certification: Verify that the physician is board-certified in the specialty in which they will be practicing.
Work History: Verify the physician’s work history, including previous positions held, any gaps in employment, and reasons for leaving previous positions.
Malpractice Insurance: Verify that the physician has malpractice insurance coverage that meets the hospital’s requirements.
DEA Registration: Verify that the physician has an active DEA registration if required for their specialty and that the registration is in good standing.
Background Check: Conduct a thorough background check to ensure that the physician has no criminal record, sanctions or disciplinary actions against them, or any other negative information.
References: Contact the physician’s references to verify their qualifications, work history, and any other relevant information.
Immunization Records: Verify that the physician has up-to-date immunization records, including annual flu shots and any other requirements specific to the hospital.
Drug Testing: Verify that the physician has passed a drug test as required by the hospital.
Ongoing Monitoring: Develop a process for ongoing monitoring of the physician’s credentials, including regular checks of their medical license, board certification, and malpractice insurance.
The above checklist can help guide hospitals in developing a comprehensive credentialing process that includes all the necessary elements to verify a physician’s qualifications and competence.
Process of adding a new healthcare provider at a current practice
To execute careful healthcare professional hiring, it is essential to have a smooth hiring process meeting new credentialing laws. Credentialing is a complex process that needs comprehensive knowledge and validation ensuring that professionals are highly capable.
Here are some crucial steps that can be followed to have a robust hiring process in place;
– Determine the need for hiring a physician
Identify the need for hiring a new physician to assess the current workload and the patient’s walk-in. Prior to making a decision, it is crucial to discuss the need for the skills for the required position, any other certification or qualification, or recent experience.
– Developing the job description for the position
Developing the description; Make a job description for the position that clearly mentions the responsibilities, duties, required qualifications, and all the other details required for the position. Mention which area of expertise you are hiring a physician for and the associated updated skills you want the physician to possess before you make a decision to hire or recruit one.
– Advertise for the Job
To gain a potential candidate’s attention, advertise your job post on professional platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
– Screen Candidate
Do screening of the selected candidate to ensure that they meet the standards.
– Conduct interviews
Thoroughly check the candidate profile before calling them for the interview to save you and their time and effort. You can have a quick interview call over the phone or video conferencing.
– Checking references
Double-check the reference that the candidate has added to the application. Contact them and have the information to remain knowledgeable.
– Negotiate the terms
Once you are in the final steps of hiring, negotiate the terms of working in and out of the premises o the hospital. Make sure to discuss the work schedule, salary, and benefits.
Conclusion
Before hiring a new healthcare provider, hospitals need to take a strategic approach and perform the thoughtful process of credentialing. Considering the practitioner’s type, the hospitals need to develop the job description by assessing the cost, having a complete, robust process of credentialing and hiring, and the assessment in place. With this, it will be quicker and easier for hospitals to identify the needs and make informed decisions.