Jonny Hale

All Star Healthcare Solutions Names New Divisional Vice President of Finance

All Star Healthcare Solutions®, a full-service healthcare staffing company specializing in locum tenens and permanent job opportunities, announced today that Dianne Hunsaker has been named the firm’s Divisional Vice President of Finance. Hunsaker will steer the organization’s financial activities to optimize efficiency, maximize growth, and sustain the “Red Carpet” Service the company provides to its clinicians, employees, and clients.

“I am honored to assume this role,” Hunsaker said, “and grateful to join an organization that is absolutely dedicated to the delivery of quality patient care and the superior service it provides healthcare facilities, physicians, and advanced practitioners across the country.”

An accomplished senior leader, Hunsaker has worked in the healthcare staffing industry for nearly 30 years and achieved notable success in many leadership roles, including Corporate Controller and Senior Director Lean/Customer Service.

“We are thrilled to name Dianne as Divisional Vice President of Finance,” said Keith Shattuck, CEO of All Star Healthcare Solutions. “Dianne is an innovative and inspirational leader who fully embraces our caring, high-performance culture. She is driven by integrity and passionate about mentoring and developing people and leaders. Her vast experience and industry expertise will provide strategic financial direction as we continue to grow.”

by Jonny Hale

All Star Healthcare Solutions Named #1 Best Place to Work in South Florida

All Star Healthcare Solutions® was honored yesterday at the South Florida Business Journal’s 2022 Best Places to Work Awards Luncheon at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. The full-service healthcare staffing company, specializing in locum tenens and permanent job opportunities, ranked #1 in the large-company category.

“We are honored and humbled to be recognized for our amazing, highly engaged culture,” says Keith Shattuck, All Star’s CEO. “This award is especially meaningful as it is the result of our employees’ feedback and positive experiences, which include how they feel about everything, from being appreciated for the important work they do; to the fun we have together; to our comprehensive employee benefits; to the world-class learning and development opportunities we provide, enabling them to set their own career paths. Our people make All Star the best place to work.”

This marks the third consecutive year All Star Healthcare Solutions ranked within the top five Best Places to Work, continuing recognition for its outstanding workplace environment and caring, high-performance culture. The company is especially grateful and feels privileged to receive this distinction at a time many businesses continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

“We have been remote for nearly two years and remain passionate about supporting one another, remaining connected, and having fun,” says Shattuck. “In the office, we have great activities to enjoy, like ping-pong, foosball, and Xbox. However, they are a small part of our ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy. We value flexibility and resilience, and have adapted our events, contests, and activities to continue to nurture and maintain our unique culture.”

Best Places to Work finalists were chosen based on results of a confidential online survey administered to employees by Quantum Workplace. The top 45 firms, based on employees’ feedback, were divided into one of three categories: small company (10–49 employees), medium company (50–99 employees), and large company (100 employees or more).

“We hire for culture; good, authentic people who want to do the right thing and help others are what make it so special,” adds Shattuck. “We are all dedicated to providing a high-level experience for our clinicians, patients, and clients through our signature “Red Carpet” Service. We really are a family, united by the Core Values we share as well as our genuine affection for and commitment to each other, those we serve, and our community.”

Click here to learn more about our award-winning culture, and visit All Star Careers to see our current job openings.

by Jonny Hale

7 Ways Supplementing Your Income with Locum Tenens Can Lead to Lasting Financial Fitness

For physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who already have full practices, the benefits of working locum tenens as well can be quite compelling. For some, the idea of mixing up clinical settings is motivation enough. For others, the benefit could be the satisfaction of delivering healthcare services to communities where the need is highest. And for many providers, the financial incentives associated with short-term assignments are the inspiration. With regard to the latter, what you do with that supplemental income today can make a big difference in your fiscal tomorrow.

Here are just a few examples of how investing some of your downtime in locum tenens jobs pays off for long-term financial well-being.

Paying Down Student Loans
The Education Data Initiative reports that between 76 and 89 percent of medical school graduates carry student loan debt, including funds used to pay for undergraduate degrees. In fact, it states that the average student debt for medical school graduates totals nearly $242,000.

PAs also accumulate hundreds of thousands in student loans, per the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports NPs carry between approximately $40,000 and $55,000 after completing their advanced education and training. And the average CRNA graduates with a large debt load, too.

That amount of financial weight takes years to pay off. However, income from locum tenens contracts can be directed toward extra payments on principal only. Even just one or two temporary assignments each year allow providers to make progress toward paying down student loans faster.

Saving for Large Purchases
Whether you are looking to buy your first home, a vacation home, investment properties, or remodel your current residence, real estate can be real expensive. Perhaps you finally want to buy that car, boat, or other large-ticket item you’ve been dreaming of. Big purchases come with big price tags. Additional income from doing locum tenens can help grow funds allocated for major transactions much faster without subtracting money from recurring expenses or spending.

Reducing Balances
The extra dollars earned through temporary assignments could be allocated to pay off additional debts, like car loans or credit cards. Bonus: Eliminating revolving balances increases monthly cashflow. Supplemental income also could be designated to make extra house payments, thereby shortening the life of your mortgage.

Covering College Costs
Even if you are a parent who deposits funds into your children’s college savings programs every month, you minimize the likelihood of their own student debt by boosting accounts with income earned through locum tenens contracts.

Funding Retirement
Between paying off past debt, covering current financial commitments, and saving for children’s education, setting aside funds for retirement may seem like another bill rather than an investment for the future. Diverting locum tenens earnings toward individual retirement accounts allows you to achieve long-term financial goals without compromising short-term cashflow.

Preparing for a Rainy Day
No one is immune from unexpected expenses, such as home or car repairs. Depending on the extent of such events, the bill could deplete your nest egg or at least put a dent in it. A few locum tenens assignments may earn you enough to replenish those funds or build up a substantial emergency savings account.

Accruing Vacation Pay
Not only could locum tenens opportunities finance family vacations, these temporary assignments could be turned into working vacations. Talk with your All Star Healthcare Solutions consultant about bringing your spouse or family along. Being together allows your loved ones to sightsee while you are on duty, and you get to spend downtime and days off as a family. Also, confer with us about adding days to your stay so you all can partake in tourist fun in the locums assignment location.

If you want to learn more about how to fit locum tenens into your schedule, call 800-928-0229 to speak with an All Star consultant right now, or contact us online!

by Jonny Hale

Advancing CRNA Career Options with Locum Tenens

This week, January 23–29, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) celebrates National CRNA Week. All of us at All Star Healthcare Solutions extend our appreciation for the more than 65,000 certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who administer necessary, pain-relieving, and potentially life-saving anesthetics to patients. Your skills and caring devotion have been lauded by many, earning the profession the distinction of being one of the most trusted, according Gallup.

As a group, CRNAs are diverse, working in a variety of settings and roles: surgical suites, delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers as well as dental, ophthalmology, and pain management offices—and as locum tenens professionals. In fact, there are many benefits associated with working locum tenens and adding those contracts to your CV.

Varied Settings
Of course, not every CRNA will work in every type of practice setting. But both short- and long-term assignments present the chance to gather experiences in a variety of practice environments, even within your specialty area, such as large multi-specialty surgical centers or smaller, critical-access hospitals, where you may be called to administer anesthetics in a multitude of cases. Your All Star consultant will seek out locum tenens jobs that best match your practice preferences as well as your skill set.

Mutually Beneficial
Depending on facilities’ specific requirements, temporary jobs exist for CRNAs on the full career spectrum, from the early years to individuals easing into retirement. Locum tenens positions can be used to gain exposure to and instruction from more experienced colleagues, or to share your expertise with others, all while ensuring patients receive high-quality care.

Rural Impact
According to the AANA, CRNAs account for more than 80 percent of the anesthesia providers in rural areas. Indeed, the demand for advanced practitioners in smaller, rural communities remains very high. If supporting critical-access facilities or bringing pain management to local hospitals or clinics that do not offer those services on a regular basis appeals to you, then express those thoughts to your consultant. They can earmark rural contracts as a priority for you.

Schedule Flexibility
Locum tenens professionals exercise greater control over their work schedule than most permanent employees. Temporary contracts run a few days to a few weeks, or longer, and providers have the option to agree to a schedule that suits their needs. That same independence applies to how frequently someone accepts short-term assignments. Whether you choose to move from one locum tenens job to another on a full-time basis, or only occasionally incorporate them into your schedule, the decision is entirely yours.

Earning Potential
Locum tenens providers are compensated at an hourly rate that reflects the region’s job market, or better. Depending on circumstances, such as location, holidays, or urgency of need, facilities may offer a bonus or increased rate. What’s more, your All Star consultant may be able to negotiate on your behalf.

All Star’s “Red Carpet” Service
All Star Healthcare Solutions has dedicated departments to assist CRNAs with our internal credentialing and securing hospital privileges, as well as licensing, including an in-depth understanding of each state’s regulations. We are committed to presenting short-term job possibilities that match your needs and wants, as well as advocating for you throughout the experience, and onto the next one—it’s part of our “Red Carpet” Service.

From everyone at All Star Healthcare Solutions, happy CRNA Week!

To learn more about what’s involved in becoming a locum tenens CRNA — or to enlist the service of our Perm Division to find your next full-time job—call 800-928-0229 to speak with one of All Star’s dedicated consultants, or contact us online today.

by Jonny Hale

Acquiring Professional References for Locum Tenens Jobs

Forget the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” For healthcare professionals, it’s both what you know and who knows you.

When hospitals, clinics, and multi-specialty private practice groups bring in locum tenens providers, they’re entrusting the physicians and advanced practice providers taking short- or long-term assignments at their facility will meet their clinical qualifications. Administrators also want to know these clinicians will meld well with permanent staff and patients during their temporary tenure. While a CV confirms education and experience, the document cannot convey those more intangible personality qualities. That responsibility falls to professional references.

At All Star Healthcare Solutions, we ask all new locum tenens candidates to submit three references during the initial credentialing process. Many facilities also request references from at least two or three individuals.

However, selecting others to speak on your behalf is an important decision and deserves careful consideration. Use the following standards from the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) to guide your choices in identifying who will be the most knowledgeable and effective spokesperson for you.

• Familiarity
  Who better to ask for endorsements of your abilities than those who have worked alongside you? Typically, two of the three references must be people who have practiced with you in the same environment and specialty within the past two years. Facilities will want to know how long each reference has known you and from what role they have observed you on duty: supervisor or peer?

• Medical knowledge and clinical judgment
  Quality references come from individuals who can rate your medical, clinical, and technical capabilities.

• Communication and interpersonal skills
  Opinions on these characteristics help administrators gauge how well a locum tenens provider will fit in with staff and patients. Choose people with whom you’ve had regular interactions and who have witnessed your rapport with patients and family members as well as other colleagues.

• Professionalism
  References will be asked to assess your professionalism in terms of documentation efficiency, fulfillment of department responsibilities, and overall conduct on the job.

Additional Tips
For a really reliable reference, employ these tips to make sure the process runs smoothly.

• Keep accurate and current records of names, titles, place of employment, and most importantly, phone numbers and emails for anyone you would like to list as a reference. If a person cannot be reached, they can’t sing your praises.
• Request the person’s permission to name them as a reference. Then, fill them in on who will be contacting them, an approximate timeframe, and why, such as you’re looking for locum tenens opportunities.
• Provide a helpful reminder. Everyone is busy, but if your references delay or fail to respond, it does not bode well for you as a candidate. A gentle reminder of the time-sensitive nature can help avoid missed opportunities.
• Keep track of who you ask, and when. While most colleagues are happy to provide a good word, you do not want to overburden them with request after request. Plus, a variety of references paints a more well-rounded picture of the high-quality provider you are.

To learn more about what’s involved in becoming a locum tenens professional, call 800-928-0229 to speak with one of All Star’s dedicated consultants, or contact us online today.

by Jonny Hale

4 Things to Know About Millennial Physician Candidates

Each generation is defined by more than just a span of years. Sometimes, a key demographic becomes known for motivating change and redefining expectations, such as Millennials.

According to birth-year data collected by the American Medical Association (AMA) and reported by the New England Journal of Medicine Career Center (NEJMCC), Millennials account for 94 percent of final-year residents and fellows. That makes them a valuable component to healthcare facilities’ staffing strategies, both for permanent hires and as locum tenens professionals. And this generation has set new guideposts for career satisfaction. Here are just a few distinguishing characteristics that set Millennial clinicians apart from other generations.

1. Millennials embrace being the original smartphone generation.

Familiarity with technology affects how Millennials communicate: they are as fluent in text messaging as in sending emails, or in posting video stories as in making phone calls. Still, when connecting on a professional level, NEJMCC reports physicians within this age bracket list email and phone conversations as their most-preferred modes of communication. For more casual, relationship-building communications, texting, video chats, and social media exchanges are certainly platforms worth engaging.

At All Star Healthcare Solutions, we enjoy the personal contact of speaking directly with providers and clients. Of course, whenever it’s feasible, we accommodate individual preferences, so we can expedite processes and place clinicians in jobs as soon as possible.

 2. Millennials rely on technology and research.

While everyone seems to embrace the latest and greatest in technology, Millennial physicians prefer to engage digital platforms more frequently than their predecessors. Not only do they spend more time online personally, they also devote more time to digging through digital libraries for medical research, according to a study by Decisions Resources Group.

That’s not to say younger physicians forsake opportunities to learn from more experienced providers. In fact, analysts suggest this group places a high value on collaboration, especially across specialties. Facilitating these relationships for permanent hires can encourage career satisfaction and discourage burnout. Even for clinicians who work locums full time or moonlight, an informal, temporary collegial relationship with peers while on assignment offers opportunities to advance their professional development.

3. Millennial medical school applicants and graduates are diverse.

Less than five years ago, women graduating from medical school began outnumbering men, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Evidence also indicates that matriculation among people of color continues to improve year after year. Greater gender, racial, and cultural diversity among younger physicians means a greater ability for doctors to identify with diverse patient populations. That’s beneficial whether facilities bring on regular or temporary staff members.

4. Millennials strive to carve out more personal time.

It’s not that they have landed upon the secret to a work-life balance that’s eluded previous generations. But younger physicians place significant value on having sufficient downtime. The AMA reports 92 percent of surveyed Millennial physicians say it’s important to strike that balance.

As a full-service agency, All Star Healthcare Solutions is committed to presenting high-quality providers and delivering “Red Carpet” Service to its clients. We stand ready to assist your healthcare organization with all its staffing needs.

Call 800-928-0229—or contact us online—to speak with a knowledgeable consultant from our Permanent Division or Locum Tenens Division today.

by Jonny Hale

What to Expect from a Locum Tenens Orientation

Locum tenens jobs offer the excitement of traveling to new locales and the professional satisfaction of caring for patients within a variety of settings. With each short-term position, you will learn the ins and outs of a new facility.

Your presence at a hospital, outpatient clinic, or multi-specialty private practice group is answering a pressing staffing need, which means you are expected to begin caring for patients as quickly as possible. Therefore, a locum tenens orientation is condensed and expedited in comparison with a permanent position onboarding. Depending on the facility, the process could range from as little as a few hours to as long as several days. But one thing is certain: the first few days of a contract involves information to process and put into practice.

Knowing what to expect from orientations will give you a head start on readying for a new locum tenens opportunity.

Orientation Starts Before Your Arrival
Whenever possible, the orientation kicks off before you clock in. Many of the basics, such as the name and phone number of the initial contact person and arrival location, should be shared as soon as hospital privileges are granted. Also, at All Star Healthcare Solutions, we try to book a separate day for orientation prior to the official start of the job.

A more extensive packet might include:

• Job description—make sure it matches all the details shared by your All Star consultant;
• Map of the facility, marked with the parking lot and entrance to use; and
• Hospital-specific instructions for writing prescriptions, patient scheduling, ordering labs, and billing and coding. Tip: Creating your own info sheets is a great shortcut.

It’s also a timesaver to review an online primer on the facility’s electronic medical records (EMR) program ahead of your arrival. The packet may include user login identification and passwords, as well as a facility IT contact.

If you are unfamiliar with the EMR system, ask your consultant if additional resources are available – many facilities are more than happy to supply details, including if you’ll be granted remote documentation access.

What to Expect on the First Day
The most efficient orientations typically begin with meeting the primary contact person, who guides you through a tour of the facility, especially areas affecting your practice — don’t forget to locate nearby bathrooms, breakrooms, and supply centers. Once on the assigned unit, you should learn more about workflow specifics.

This is also a good time to ask a few questions, such as, “Who do I reach out to in case of an emergency? Who is my point of contact on the floor? Who should I contact if I need assistance with a case? What support staff resources do I have around me?” In fact, request a list of contacts for HR, IT, and department heads, so you have a point of contact for anything while on assignment.

Before your first day of call duty, double check you are appropriately listed on the call directory/schedule with the correct cellphone number.

Within this process, you will be issued a security badge and any passwords not already set up. Plus, locum tenens providers may be required to attend a more formal overview of hospital policies.

Providers should come prepared. Bring copies of your license, certifications, and the certificate of insurance provided by All Star, as well as a photo ID. Although these documents are submitted during credentialing, having copies or photos of them saved on a smartphone serves as a great backup if the facility asks for another copy.

All Star is Here to Assist
From your first phone call with a consultant to your first day of a contract, and beyond, All Star’s “Red Carpet” Service means having an ally along for each step of your journey. If you feel additional information is necessary, inform your consultant. They can liaise with administrators to resolve concerns. In fact, your feedback—what was great and helpful as well as what was missing—is used to prepare other locum tenens professionals for future opportunities.

Whether you’re new to working locum tenens or a seasoned locums provider, each facility takes some getting used to. Having an informed idea of what to expect before, during, and after orientation can help you settle in and begin caring for patients.

Call 800-928-0229 to speak with one of All Star’s dedicated consultants to discuss any aspect of the locum tenens process, or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale

All Star Wins 2021 National Culture Awards for Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, and Remote Work

All Star Healthcare Solutions, a full-service healthcare staffing company specializing in locum tenens and permanent job opportunities, announced today that it has earned Energage’s 2021 Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence quarterly employer recognition awards in three categories: Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, and Remote Work.

The quarterly distinctions are an expansion of the prestigious annual awards – both regional and national. Last quarter, All Star earned awards for Compensation and Formal Training.

“Our people are truly remarkable,” said Keith Shattuck, CEO of All Star. “We have been working remotely for over a year and half, and our caring, high-performance culture has continued to grow and flourish. That is testimony to our All Star family, who remain absolutely dedicated to providing “Red Carpet” Service at every interaction. Our people’s well-being is a top priority, and we are committed to providing them with the professional development they need to be successful.”

Like all Top Workplaces awards, results are based solely on employee feedback from an anonymous, science-based employee engagement survey. Organizations are evaluated against the industry’s most robust benchmark, based on Energage’s 15 years of research and data from 7,000 organizations and 23 million surveys.

“Top workplaces are the ones that are thinking about the impact they’re having on the people who make the work possible,” said Dr. Tiffany Jana, founder/CEO of TMI Consulting and keynote speaker of the virtual event. “Professional development, employee involvement, making visible commitments … these things matter.”

Shattuck added, “We are humbled by this recognition, and deeply grateful for our All Star family. Their positive feedback is truly meaningful to us.”

Click here to learn more about All Star’s award-winning culture, and visit allstar.careers to see our current job openings.

by Jonny Hale

Expect Excellence from Your Locum Tenens Staffing Partner

It doesn’t matter if you’re boosting personnel in anticipation of a patient census increase or addressing unexpected staffing voids, contracting with locum tenens agencies allows healthcare administrators the flexibility to maintain staffing levels that deliver a continuity of care. However, keeping quality patient care at the forefront is exactly why hospitals, outpatient centers, and multi-specialty private practice groups should accept nothing less than excellence from their locum tenens staffing partner.

The question then becomes, how is excellence defined or measured? The answer is multi-fold – everything from vetting providers to consistently delivering on customer service. Here’s a snapshot of what embodies excellence in locum tenens, or as we say at All Star Healthcare Solutions, a dedication to “Red Carpet” Service.

NALTO Membership
Members of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO) operate under an industry consensus of various standards, including (but not limited to) how to handle dispute mediations. Partnering with a NALTO-member agency assures you are coordinating with an organization that’s committed to an identifiable and defined set of ethics.

Provider Vetting
A commitment to excellence obliges staffing companies to qualify candidates before presenting them for your consideration. This step ensures providers’ skills match your clinical needs, and that no surprises pop up that could delay their start date and leave you with an empty position.

At All Star, we internally credential each provider and work alongside your in-house credentialing professionals to secure hospital privileges and seek answers for any questions, so our clinicians can start caring for your patients as soon as possible.

Reliable and Frequent Communication
It’s not unusual for healthcare facilities to seek candidates from multiple agencies. The distinguishing factor between companies oftentimes is determined by responsiveness — like any good relationship, communication is key. Returning calls or emails in a prompt manner may seem like a minor element, but when you’re crunched to fill a position, being reassured you’ll be able to speak with a consultant who can help solve that staffing issue makes all the difference.

A Service Orientation
More than just checking off the necessities associated with placing locum tenens providers, a committed locum tenens partner fosters a long-term relationship with your facility. Agencies help strategize solutions to ongoing staffing demands as well as help identify and plan for future scenarios.

For example, if your hospital is growing, working with a trusted locum tenens company can ease the transition while you search for permanent staff. If your facility historically incurs a jump in patient census during the winter months, your locum tenens partner can aid in securing additional clinicians months in advance. All Star is a full-service organization capable of partnering with facilities on both short-term and direct-hire recruitment needs.

At All Star, we define excellence as our “Red Carpet” Service, a promise to go above and beyond for our clients and providers on every step of their locum tenens journey.

If you would like to learn more about All Star’s “Red Carpet” Service, call 800-928-0229 to speak with one of our dedicated consultants or contact us online.

by Jonny Hale