Per diem nurses are the solution to staffing shortfalls for many healthcare organizations. Holidays, flu season, vacation season, and extended leave can wreak havoc on your staffing plans. And when a shortage of adequate nursing staff meets a sudden influx of new patients, you have to rise to meet that challenge head-on and quickly.
Enter the per diem nurse. That’s a nurse who is ready to hit the ground running, taking on patient care and other duties as a part of the team. This superhero of nursing is an excellent resource and an integral part of your arsenal for running a high-quality healthcare facility. But how can you find that nurse ASAP, and ensure you vet the per diem nurse quickly, without sacrificing quality?
Vetting a per diem nurse quickly requires a thoughtful approach that streamlines the process, without cutting corners. To that end, you must focus on already-verified credentials and a fast yet thorough competency assessment. This fast-paced vetting relies on technology, clear communication, and efficient, yet thorough, onboarding. Here, we break down how that works for your organization.
Technology is Critical to Vetting Per Diem Nurses Quickly
Technology makes checking and verifying necessary information much easier than it was before. That is, providing your sources are indisputable. After all, this is patient care, and you don’t want an unqualified nurse slipping through the cracks. There are a few ways to leverage technology for vetting.
- Automated Credentialing: Specialized software can track certification, verify licensure, perform professional background checks, and verify vaccinations. Eliminating manual verification helps cut down your time tremendously.
- Use Digital Platforms: Medical staffing agencies provide healthcare organizations with access to verified, credentialed, and licensed professionals who meet your requirements. BOS Medical Staffing has pre-vetted nurses in their system for your per diem needs.
Fast and Efficient Competency Assessment
When your healthcare organization needs a per diem nurse to fill staffing gaps, you want a competent individual with the clinical skills you require. But, more than that, you need someone who possesses the qualities necessary to integrate with your in-place team in a fast and efficient manner. Someone adaptable with an ability to work independently, and someone who communicates effectively. Those skills aren’t always easy to vet quickly, but here are some tips to expedite that process.
- Narrow it Down to Essential Credentials: Immediately verify those essentials like certifications, state licensure, and background checks.
- Video Interview: Set up an immediate video interview with questions that focus on adaptability, reliability, communication skills, and any specialized skills like proficiency with your electronic health records system.
- Verify References Digitally: Instead of phone calls, which can be time-consuming and slow down your vetting process, verify your per diem candidate through digital means.
Onboarding Thoroughly and Quickly
Onboarding is a luxury when you need a nurse who can start immediately, if not sooner. The best way to rapidly onboard a per diem nurse is by making your process as efficient as possible. Here are some ideas:
- Assign a Buddy: Pair your per diem nurse with another staff member who can “show them the ropes” as far as how your facility works, navigating the ins and outs, and protocols you imply.
- Pre-Onboarding Packets: There’s a lot of information that can simply go into an onboarding packet that your per diem nurse receives before they begin. And your new staff member is sure to appreciate having many of these items available for quick reference. The packet should include things like a map of the floor or unit, specific key codes that apply, and basic “new employee” information.
- Early Check-Ins: For the first few shifts, ask your per diem staff to check in 15 minutes before, and go over any specific protocols or pertinent patient safety information.
Building a Relationship for Reliability
One way to streamline your vetting process is by building a pool of reliable per diem nurses for last-minute coverage. However, that’s not always doable. Instead, a more effective way to vet per diem nurses quickly without sacrificing quality is by building a relationship with BOS Medical Staffing.
At BOS Medical Staffing, we’ve already vetted those nurses who can jump in to fill your staffing needs. Avoid the panic of short staffing and reach out to BOS Medical Staffing today.
