The answer is “medical assistant staffing agency.” The question? How can healthcare facilities and organizations keep up with changing patient needs, treatment plans, administrative tasks and state and federal regulations?
Long gone are the days when physicians had full-time medical assistants who could fill all of the daily responsibilities required of a successful medical facility.
It’s challenging enough to keep things running smoothly when everything is working right. However, try doing it when medical assistants find better opportunity, goes on an extended leave or just isn’t performing.
That’s when an employee has to continue to handle their everyday responsibilities. Oh, and they must also scour job boards, searching for qualified candidates to fill a vacancy.
And don’t forget about screening potential candidates, scheduling interviews and communication during the interviewing and hiring process.
After a little of this extra effort that goes above and beyond a job description, a healthcare professional might be searching for two new employees instead of one.
Further complicating things is that healthcare professionals are constantly in high demand, so finding the right candidate when job seekers have the upper hand adds another challenging layer to the process.
As with any business decision, consideration must be given as to its worth. A medical assistant staffing agency comes with a cost, but it also comes with these benefits:
Streamlines the hiring process
Whether it is replacing an existing employee or meeting new needs, the hiring process can be long and tedious.
Finding candidates that fit a facility’s unique requirements takes screening. It can be weeks before qualified candidates are identified.
When you add first and second interviews, hiring one person can easily be a two-month ordeal.
Medical assistant staffing agencies have candidates who are already vetted and are ready to work. This not only saves time, but it also saves money in reduced time away from a healthcare team’s regular responsibilities.
Reduces onboarding and training time
Medical assistant staffing agencies know how vital time is to a healthcare team. That’s why the majority of agencies have qualified candidates who are experienced. Companies can hire medical assistants with enough experience in their field so that they can contribute immediately.
New employees may need some time learning a company’s proprietary software programs and office policies and procedures. However, they will probably be well-versed in the skills required to meet their daily responsibilities.
Saves money with temporary employees
Another area where medical staffing agencies can save organizations money is with temporary assignments.
When full-time employees take maternity leave or other types of extended leave, staffing agencies can provide temporary assignments where employees don’t need health insurance, retirement or other benefits.
Staffing employees have benefits through their agency, so the cost savings are passed on to healthcare providers. This also provides companies with a smooth transition when full-time employees return from leave.
Paperwork isn’t your work
While most full-time employees are paid through direct deposit, once the paperwork is submitted the rest takes care of itself. With temporary employees, though, they are paid through weekly or bi-weekly timesheets that don’t just submit and approve themselves.
Medical agencies handle the paperwork for their employees, which saves organizations time and headaches. It’s a seamless process for healthcare professionals in an age when many tasks and responsibilities are anything but.
Helping the bottom line- patients
Patients are the top priority for healthcare providers. And patients don’t really care whether a facility is saving money or reducing stress for employees with staffing agencies. What they do care about is their health and well-being.
That’s where medical staffing agencies can make the most important impact: Improving patient care. These agencies provide medical assistants with more time and resources to give patients the best care possible. It doesn’t get more important than that.
Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s
Healthcare providers know the legal aspects and governmental regulations of their industry. But, oh how those two things can change. That’s why it doesn’t hurt to have an extra set (or two) of eyes with help from medical staffing agencies.
Agencies have a thorough understanding of legal and compliance issues and can help provide guidance for healthcare facilities. It’s better to be sure that an organization is operating within the regulations of the healthcare industry.
Adjusting service levels to mere patient demands
At times, there are higher patient levels within a healthcare facility. Warmer climates can produce a rise in outdoor activities, which can create a higher risk of accidents. Utilizing a medical staffing agency allows providers to adjust staffing levels to meet these increasing patient demands.
Healthcare organizations can then adjust staffing levels to meet fluctuating patient demands. This agency partnership keeps facilities running more smoothly throughout the year.
Not all medical staffing agencies are created equal
Deciding to enlist the services of a medical assistant staffing agency is just the first step in the process of helping to improve patient care and services. Every staffing agency is different, with different areas of specialization.
Here are some things to consider when looking for the right staffing agency fit:
- Research, research, research – Look to see whether the services an agency offers align with your organization’s needs.
- Reputation matters – Look at reviews of an agency to see what its reputation is. Talk to healthcare professionals and friends to try to learn more about a particular agency. Call companies who have partnered with an agency and ask questions about your areas of need.
- Interviews aren’t just for hiring employees – You wouldn’t hire an employee without interviewing them, so why hire a medical staffing agency without doing the same?
Ask about their experience in the areas in which you need help. Also, make sure you understand their fees to ensure that the agency is a budgetary fit.
- See how agencies measure up – Once you find a medical staffing facility that seems like the best fit, compare it with your second choice to ensure that your first choice is the right one.
Make a list of the top needs your practice has, then weigh each agency on its strengths in those areas. This will provide tangible information as to which agency will help provide the best medical assistants to meet your needs and budget.
