These days, locum tenens providers are a fixture in just about any healthcare facility. But before you can start your assignment, you must first navigate the logistics of getting to the client’s worksite.
Unlike most locum tenens agencies, Interim Physicians has our own expert team of coordinators who handle all of your travel arrangements. Travel Manager Stefannie Rose and her associates manage all of your travel details, booking flights, hotel rooms, and rental cars, ensuring your journey is smooth. We remove the travel burden from your shoulders so you can focus on delivering quality care without worrying about anything else.
Did you ever wonder how they do it? Well, if so, read on!
Expert Coordination
Weeks before a provider’s first day on assignment, Stefannie and team meticulously align travel details to ensure a worry-free experience. They work closely with each and every provider and are available 24/7 should difficulties arise throughout an assignment.
“Our team has 52 years of experience in the travel industry,” Stefannie claimed. “This extensive industry knowledge gives us an advantage over our competitors. We know how to piece together flights to ensure the best times are found for each physician while keeping airfare low for our clients.”
Each member of the travel department monitors airline and rental car deals closely, taking advantage of advanced rates to obtain the lowest possible cost, which our facility clients certainly appreciate.
To ensure providers have a seamless journey, our travel department:
- Assigns a dedicated Interim travel coordinator to each provider who supports them from the moment they onboard;
- Obtain each provider’s travel preferences and airline loyalty numbers so providers travel comfortably and reap the benefits of frequent traveling;
- Negotiates the best rental car rates so providers can enjoy the ride.
To aid facilities and ensure each provider arrives on time, we:
- Manage all travel in-house for a seamless experience and peace of mind;
- Customize each provider’s travel plan to ensure alignment with client policies and don’t compromise shift schedules.
Interim’s travel plans are completely customizable for clients and providers. Stefannie’s team doesn’t outsource any aspect of travel coordination. This hands-on approach allows them to oversee each detail at a granular level and intervene when necessary. Her team has every Interim Physicians department on speed dial, too, constantly communicating across our internal teams, such as recruiting and accounting.
“We rely heavily on our Sales Operations team to update physician schedules on our monthly calendar, on Quality Assurance to notify us when a provider’s credentialing file is complete, and on recruiters to notify us of any last-minute travel needs.”
Managing travel for locum tenens providers can be a complicated process, with the potential for many bottlenecks. Interim uses the power of a full travel department to resolve those issues and make sure the process keeps moving.
Going The Extra Mile
Customer service doesn’t just stop at flight preferences and saving a few bucks on airfare. Stefannie loves connecting with each provider personally, learning about their lives, and developing a deep connection with them.
Travel mishaps, such as flight delays, car rental issues, or hotel billing problems, can disrupt an entire day and throw off arrival timelines. When these issues rarely arise, our team springs into action to assist providers, ensuring their schedules stay on track.
Stefannie recounted a moment when a physician credited her for helping him give his daughter the wedding of her dreams. She mentioned instances where she intervened on a provider’s behalf, preventing an arrest at an airport (believe it or not!), guiding physicians through severe weather emergencies, and even comically providing turn-by-turn directions one night over the phone when a provider’s GPS failed.
Regardless of the challenge, Stefannie is passionate about getting our providers from point A to point B hassle-free. It doesn’t hurt that she has the best team in the business.
“I have worked with hundreds of agents over the years, and the team I have now is truly phenomenal,” she noted. “Every agent has been nominated and won our“Performer of The Month” and “Performer of The Year” awards. These nominations come from the Interim’s leadership team, from information gathered by employees, physicians, and hospital clients.
“Working with this team is the most rewarding part of my job. They are hard-working, kind human beings. We care deeply about our providers and understand their challenges while traveling. My team does its best to make the experience seamless while simultaneously adhering to each hospital’s policies.”
