So, you’ve just hired a talented physician from out-of-state—congratulations! Given the ongoing healthcare talent shortage, that’s something to celebrate. But don’t break out the party hats yet. Because now, the race against the clock begins.
Obviously, you want that physician in-house and working ASAP. But there’s three more hurdles to overcome: licensing, credentialing and relocation. None of these happen overnight—which is why you need some strategic efficiencies in place.
Obviously, the timeline for getting physicians fully on board varies, considering what they/you must accomplish first:
Every physician must possess an in-state license before they can practice. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), it typically takes at least two months for licensure to be granted—and can take longer, since requirements and processing speeds vary from state to state.
Credentialing is a multi-step process since incoming physicians must be credentialed by both their new hospital and each of its affiliated managed care networks/insurance plans. According to the AMA, this can take up to 180 days.
Managing a relocation doesn’t require a medical degree, but it does involve some intensive, time-consuming tasks: choosing a neighborhood, finding housing, arranging the household goods move, and more. While relocations vary in complexity, they generally take at least one to two months to plan, book, and execute—not to mention acclimate to the new job and location!
Add it up, and there are mountains to move. So, how can you move them a little faster?
There are some things you as an employer can control; others are out of your hands. Let’s focus on those that you can influence—and how you can accelerate them.
It’s not enough to give your new physicians a relocation allowance. If you want to accelerate their move—while ensuring it goes smoothly—the key is to help them plan it, too.
However, most healthcare employers don’t have the bandwidth or expertise for this, which is why many industry-leading organizations outsource this task to a relocation provider—ideally, one that knows the healthcare industry.
Specifically, organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Mayo Clinic count on UrbanBound to: