Due to provider burnout and fatigue, hospitals are often faced with unexpected schedule gaps. In year three of the global pandemic, retiring and vacationing physicians are at an all-time high, causing many facilities to scramble for coverage.
One physician-based outpatient center in central Georgia found that Interim Physicians solved their temporary shortage by creating a lasting solution to their staffing challenge.
In February of 2022, Interim received a phone call from the facility. Unfortunately, they had 22 vacant shifts in March that needed to be filled immediately.
A Quality, Local Solution for an Urgent Need
Within two weeks, we secured a local provider who required no additional travel expenses, just mileage; credentialed him; and got him to commit to all the open shifts throughout March.
Although the facility had a crucial staffing gap and an imminent need, Interim Physicians refused to submit just any doctor. There’s a reason why 95% of our facilities and providers agree to work with one another again. It’s our QualityCare Staffing model, our rigorous screening and performance measurements for all our providers. This physician’s placement is a prime example of QualityCare at work.
After the doctor fulfilled his initial contract, he continued to pick up sporadic shifts the following month. Then the facility discovered that they were losing a full-time provider over the summer.
Since they had such a great relationship with the physician, they asked if we would consider converting him to a permanent provider at their facility. After securing his permission and equal enthusiasm, we facilitated the contract.
As Interim Physicians account executive Chris Tagarelis says, “This was the perfect all-around solution. We found someone quickly who was such a good personality fit that they decided to work together permanently. At the end of the day, this was one of the smoothest placements I’ve ever done. Everyone was happy. It was a homerun!”
A Client’s Best Interest is Our Own
As a staffing agency, we would have benefitted from continuing to staff additional locum tenens providers at this facility. However, Interim chose to foster a long-term solution that was much more affordable for our client and supported the physician’s buyout with the facility. We’re confident that this excellent placement is just the first of many throughout our new partnership.
“Working with Interim Physicians has been a smooth process. From day one, the communication between Chris and myself has been exemplary. We were even able to find a permanent placement for our office. The team is efficient, professional, and overall, a delight to work with. It is good to know I have a team like Interim Physicians to turn to if needed.”
