Tag: healthcare staffing

Medical directors play a pivotal role in healthcare facilities, but those in hospice have a special kind of personality. It takes a unique person to work with patients who know they’re dying and to give them the care they deserve.

In general, medical directors oversee and manage the facility’s operations and staff, directly influencing the quality of patient care.

Physicians may be directly responsible for their patient’s medical care, but how they treat and care for their patients reflects on the facility and everyone who works there. Medical directors must keep things running smoothly to maintain their facility’s standards and ensure the best patient care.

Medical Directors Are Business People 

Medical directors run a facility’s business side, ensuring the medical side remains top-notch.

They work with vendors to keep their stock supplied, they maintain the budget, and they ensure government and insurance compliance, among many other things.

Creating A Good Work Environment

Medical directors are also responsible for maintaining the best possible working environment for their physicians and other staff. Facilitating a good work environment includes ensuring the staff feels supported and keeping an excellent physical environment with up-to-date equipment.

They develop and uphold the facility’s policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Medical directors continually work to improve their facilities. The medical field is highly competitive, and science is constantly changing, so medical directors must stay on top of their game to keep their facilities running at the highest standards.

Likewise, this means that medical directors push their staff to continually learn, whether it be in-facility medical training, scientific research, or other educational tools.

Why Are Medical Directors Needed In Hospice Care?

Hospice patients are some of the most vulnerable in the medical community. As such, medical directors are essential in regulating their facilities and staff so patients reach the end of their lives with peace and dignity.

What Do Hospice Medical Directors Do?

One study observed six medical directors working in hospice care over two years to understand their responsibilities better. Here are the primary responsibilities these medical directors were observed performing:

•     Consulting and maintaining communication with physicians
•     Work with the patient’s primary physician to determine life expectancy
•     Approve cases for hospice admission
•     Education of staff
•     Helping with care plans
•     Maintaining quality assurance
•     Handling budget issues
•     Work as a primary physician as needed

Interestingly, most medical directors in hospice care work only a few hours a month, meaning they are not involved in the day-to-day activities.

While the job of a medical director in other settings sometimes involves communicating directly with the patient and their family, hospice medical directors rarely interact with those receiving care in their organizations.

So You Want To Be A Medical Director In Hospice Care?

Becoming a medical director is not a linear path. It’s a complex career with many responsibilities, and medical directors come from various medical and professional backgrounds.

Medical Directors Come From Many Backgrounds

Some medical directors begin their careers as physicians, eventually expanding their jobs to include running a facility as medical directors.

Others are hospital administrators with less of a medical background and more of a professional one. Others may be leaders of specific units, such as hospice, or clinical directors.

It’s common for medical directors to earn a master’s degree in public health, health administration, or other healthcare-related fields.

Certifications For Hospice Medical Directors

While certifications aren’t always necessary depending on the organization, they are wonderful for educating current and prospective medical directors and can improve the quality of their work.

The American Academy Of Hospice And Palliative Medicine

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine offers medical directors and physicians certification in hospice care. Hospice regulations are complex, and knowledge of hospice care is constantly evolving. The certification helps prepare hospice medical directors by expanding their skills and expertise.

The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board

Other facilities may require prospective hospice medical directors to pass the Hospice Medical Director Certification because hospice care requires unique skills and knowledge that typical medical directors may not have.

To be eligible for the HMDCB certification exam, you must have a license to practice medicine in the United States or Canada, have participated in at least 400 hours of hospice “activities,” and conform to the HMDCB’s code of conduct.

The Qualities Of A Good Hospice Medical Director 

Various qualities are helpful for someone pursuing a hospice medical director career, but organizations typically seek the following skills:

Professionalism. Situations in healthcare can be stressful, especially in situations where the patient is nearing the end of their life, like in hospice. A medical director must be able to remain professional, no matter what complications may arise.

Respect. Likewise, patients nearing the end of their lives want respect and dignity—they don’t want to be treated like a number. Medical directors must also treat their staff with respect since the staff can make or break an organization.

Responsibility. Medical directors have many duties, including maintaining patient care, policies and procedures, and adequate work conditions for their staff.

Integrity. Caring about people and wanting to do the right thing is invaluable for anyone working in the healthcare industry, even if they aren’t hands-on with the patient’s care.

Empathy. A significant part of a medical director’s job is ensuring that physicians and other staff members provide the best patient care. They must look out for the patient’s best interest, evaluate the quality of care, and recognize areas where care is lacking.

Will You Become A Hospice Medical Director?

The road to becoming a hospice medical director may be long, but it’s rewarding in all the best ways. You’ll be responsible for maintaining an amazing facility where the staff feels supported, and the patients feel cared for.

If you have the right qualities and the drive to work hard, becoming a hospice medical director might be your calling.

We have Openings for Hospice Medical Directors

Momentum Healthcare Staffing is all about connecting medical professionals to their dream jobs. If you’re seeking a rewarding career as a Hospice Medical Director, please reach out to us today or visit our job board to learn more. We can help match you to the position that aligns with your professional and personal goals.

The aging U.S. population is driving rapid growth in the healthcare sector, particularly in roles like home health and personal care aides. These positions, which typically require a high school diploma, are projected to see substantial increases in demand over the next decade. The shift towards in-home care has been accelerated by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made nursing homes less desirable for many. While nurse practitioner roles are also experiencing significant growth in most states, the highest job opportunities in healthcare in the coming years are expected to be in home health and personal care aide positions, particularly in states like California. This analysis, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, sheds light on the evolving landscape of healthcare employment in the U.S.

Healthcare Sector Added 56,000 New Jobs in April

In April, the healthcare sector added 56,000 new jobs, marking a 22% decrease from March but consistent with monthly averages over the past year. Despite the slowdown, healthcare accounted for nearly one-third of the 175,000 jobs created in the larger economy for April.

The healthcare industry has rebounded to pre-pandemic employment levels, with significant job growth observed particularly in ambulatory care services and hospitals. However, despite this growth, demand for healthcare services continues to outpace job creation. Challenges include the need to adapt to changing patient preferences, embrace technology, and address labor shortages. Job openings in healthcare and social assistance are at a high, indicating a persistent gap between demand and supply. Nursing and residential care facilities still face a hiring lag due to patients seeking alternative care options. Healthcare organizations may need to explore collaborations, technology integration, and operational efficiencies to meet increasing demand with limited resources.

Finding Your Dream Healthcare Job with Momentum

Find your perfect healthcare match with us! We’re currently working with amazing hospitals and private practices to fill a variety of openings in the areas of neonatal care, anesthesiology, dentistry, physical medicine and much more. Find all openings at momentumhcs.com/jobs.

Sources:

Thedesertreview.com
Healthleadersmedia.com
Advisory.com
openai.com

In recent years, the healthcare industry has been marked by significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, evolving patient needs, and shifting economic landscapes. However, amidst this period of change, one recurring and distressing trend has been the occurrence of healthcare layoffs. These layoffs, often attributed to various factors such as financial constraints, organizational restructuring, or changes in healthcare policy, have profound implications not only for the affected individuals but also for the broader healthcare ecosystem.

A Wave of Layoffs

The healthcare industry in the United States is experiencing a significant wave of layoffs, resulting in tens of thousands of job losses, primarily aimed at bolstering profits. This trend is exacerbating the existing understaffing issues within the healthcare system. The layoffs are occurring across various sectors within healthcare, with notable cuts reported by major companies like Amazon. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, federal funding for healthcare has been slashed, further intensifying the impact of these job cuts. The situation is particularly concerning as it undermines the basic right to healthcare and targets a crucial segment of the working class, including healthcare professionals who have been pushed out due to untenable working conditions. The layoffs are also accompanied by a series of financial struggles and restructuring efforts within healthcare institutions across different states, leading to a reduction in services and workforce. This profit-driven crisis reflects a deeper problem of prioritizing financial interests over public health needs, highlighting the urgent necessity for systemic change towards public ownership and democratic control of the healthcare system to ensure the provision of healthcare based on human need rather than profit.

Nurses and Doctors Mostly Safe

Despite the upheaval, there’s a reassuring aspect for frontline healthcare workers—nurses and doctors have mostly been spared from these layoffs, which have predominantly targeted managerial and administrative positions. This dichotomy underscores a tension within the industry: while layoffs surge, so does hiring, particularly in patient-facing roles. In fact, healthcare contributed significantly to US job growth in January, making up 20% of all new jobs. This growth primarily occurred in ambulatory healthcare and hospital settings, reflecting the ongoing demand for clinical roles amid an aging population and expanding healthcare needs.

New Opportunities for Healthcare Workers: Permanent and Temporary

If you’re a healthcare worker who has been impacted by job loss, remember that you’re not alone. Momentum understands the challenges you may be facing and wants to offer support. Whether you’re seeking temporary locum assignments or permanent positions, we have a wide range of opportunities available and are here to assist you in finding the right fit for your skills and experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us or search our job board. We’re committed to helping healthcare professionals like—nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, physical therapists, radiologists– you navigate through uncertain times and thrive in your careers.

Sources:

Wsws.org
qz.org
openai.com

If you are a healthcare company looking for new hires or an individual looking for a job in the healthcare industry, you might be wondering what you should look for when choosing a healthcare recruiting company.

Finding the right talent in a highly competitive healthcare industry can be challenging. Healthcare recruiting companies can help you find qualified and reliable candidates and save you time and resources in hiring. However, not all recruiting companies are created equal.

Specialization

Healthcare recruiting is a broad field. You want to work with a recruiting company specializing in your industry or niche.

For instance, if you are an oncologist, it’s best to work with a healthcare recruiting company that specializes in oncology so that they can better understand your skill set and help you find the right job opportunities.

Industry Expertise

When it comes to healthcare recruiting, industry expertise is essential. You want to choose a recruiting company that specializes in the healthcare sector and has a deep understanding of the industry.

A healthcare recruiting company with industry expertise can help you navigate the complex and evolving healthcare landscape and find candidates with the necessary skills, experience, and certifications.

Client Base

A healthcare recruiting company’s client base tells a lot about them.

You want to work with a company with a diverse client base, including small and large businesses, which will give you a better chance of finding a job that fits your skills and experience.

Recruitment Process

A reputable healthcare recruiting company should have a well-defined recruitment process tailored to your needs.

The recruiting company should take the time to understand your hiring requirements and objectives and develop a customized recruitment strategy to find the best candidates for your organization.

The recruitment process should be transparent, and you should receive regular updates.

Candidate Pool

When choosing a healthcare recruiting company, you want to ensure they have access to a diverse and qualified candidate pool.

The company should use various sourcing methods to find candidates, including traditional job boards, social media, and networking events.

The recruiting company should also have a rigorous screening process to ensure that candidates meet your specific criteria and are a good fit for your organization.

Reputation and References

Before choosing a healthcare recruiting company, research and check their reputation and references.

Look for reviews and testimonials from other healthcare organizations that have used their services. You can also ask the recruiting company for references and speak directly with their clients to better understand their services and the quality of candidates they provide.

Cost and Fees

Lastly, consider the cost and fees associated with using a healthcare recruiting company.

While prices can vary depending on the services offered, you want to choose a recruiting company that is transparent about its fees and provides a fair and competitive pricing model.

Look for a company that offers a guarantee on their placements and has a fee structure that aligns with your budget.

Choosing the right healthcare recruiting company can make all the difference in finding suitable candidates for your organization.

By looking for a company with industry expertise, a customized recruitment process, a diverse candidate pool, a strong reputation, and fair pricing, you can ensure that you find the best talent and save time and resources in the hiring process.

So, take the time to research and choose a healthcare recruiting company that fits your needs and objectives.

Momentum Healthcare Staffing

Consider Momentum your right arm for all your hiring needs. We have a 24/7 On call team ready to fill your last-minute locum tenens, experts that make licensing and credentialing easier and we are committed to provide the most qualified applicants.

The medical industry experiences a high turnover rate due to various factors. During 2022, turnover rates in different sectors of the healthcare industry varied but were all significant: hospitals experienced a 19.5% turnover rate, at-home care providers faced a 65% turnover rate, and nursing homes encountered a staggering 94% turnover rate. An even scarier statistic shows that hospitals average 100% staff turnover every five years.

Why is There Such High Turnover in Healthcare?

First, the demanding nature of healthcare roles, such as long working hours, exposure to stressful situations, and emotional challenges, can lead to burnout and fatigue. According to the 2023 Healthcare Experience Trends Report from Qualtrics, healthcare ranked last for employee satisfaction compared to 27 other industries.

Second, the industry’s high demand for healthcare professionals, coupled with a shortage of qualified workers in certain regions and specialties, creates a competitive job market, making it easier for employees to find alternative positions.

Third, insufficient support and resources, limited opportunities for career growth, and inadequate work-life balance can contribute to dissatisfaction among medical staff. Finally, the complexities of healthcare regulations and administrative burdens can add to the pressures faced by medical professionals, leading to turnover as they seek more supportive and rewarding work environments.

Let’s look at some simple strategies you can implement to help improve healthcare workforce retention:

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Fair compensation is essential for retaining healthcare professionals.

Opportunities for Advancement: Provide clear career paths and opportunities for professional growth within the organization. Healthcare workers are more likely to stay if they see a clear trajectory for their career development.

Work-Life Balance: Implement flexible scheduling options and promote a healthy work-life balance. Avoid excessive overtime and consider offering alternative work arrangements to accommodate personal needs.

Recognition and Appreciation: Recognize and appreciate the hard work and achievements of healthcare staff regularly. Celebrate milestones and contributions to foster a sense of value and appreciation.

Invest in Training and Development: Offer continuous training and development programs to enhance the skills of healthcare workers and keep them engaged in their roles.

Mentorship and Support Programs: Establish mentorship programs to provide guidance and support for new healthcare professionals, helping them transition smoothly into their roles.

Reduce Administrative Burden: Streamline administrative tasks and paperwork, allowing healthcare workers to focus more on patient care and less on office work.

Supportive Work Environment: Create a supportive and collaborative work environment where staff feel comfortable voicing concerns and are empowered to make decisions related to patient care.

Address Burnout and Stress: Implement initiatives to address burnout and stress, such as resilience training, counseling services, and wellness programs. See our article on promoting mental wellness.

Employee Feedback and Surveys: Regularly seek feedback from employees through surveys or focus groups to identify potential issues and areas for improvement.

Using a Healthcare Recruiting Company

It’s not just time spent but also a great deal of expense when it comes to handling employee turnover. Substituting a greatly specialized healthcare professional may cost as much as 200% the employee’s annual salary.

There are several advantages to opting for a healthcare staffing firm like Momentum versus traditional hiring methods. Momentum offers efficient recruitment procedures, access to a wide range of skilled professionals, and makes credentialling a breeze. Contact us now to learn more.

Sources:

Fiercehealthcare.com
oracle.com
healthadministrationdegree.usc.edu
openai.com

Estimates show that by 2050, the number of Americans over 85 will be about 19 million. Nursing homes will need more help than ever from skilled Nurse Practitioners who love their job.

What are Nurse Practitioners, and what are their roles in nursing home facilities? How do their jobs differ from that of registered nurses and physicians? What are the benefits of working in a nursing home versus a hospital or doctor’s office?

Who Are Nurse Practitioners?

Patients often go to Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for their health needs rather than physicians. Nurse Practitioners bring a personal touch to healthcare that some physicians can’t offer.

NPs begin their careers as registered nurses (RNs). They must go on to complete a master’s degree, and some get a doctoral degree as well. They must also complete advanced clinical training outside of their nursing preparation.

Similar to doctors, Nurse Practitioners can diagnose and treat medical conditions. They also work with patients to manage their health and prevent diseases.

Here are some things NPs can do:

•     Diagnostic testing
•     Diagnosing & treating both chronic & acute conditions
•     Prescribing medications
•     Prevention education
•     Counseling

What Can NPs Expect While Working in a Nursing Home?

Nurse Practitioners are involved in all aspects of a nursing home patient’s medical visit. They don’t just act as medical providers for the patient’s physical health; they also care for the patient’s psychiatric health.

NPs work with nursing home patients whenever they need regular checkups. They also see the patients when they get sick and can discharge them from the nursing home.

The goal of NPs in nursing homes is to help their patients recover and keep them out of hospitals.

These are some everyday tasks in nursing homes:

•     Reviewing past medical history
•     Ordering, approving, & performing testing
•     Prescribing medication
•     Performing follow-up appointments
•     Developing a care plan
•     Planning for advanced care as the patient’s condition changes
•     Discharging patients
•     Performing reviews to get patients more time in the nursing home
•     Reviewing & signing documents
•     Educating staff members

Nurse Practitioners are qualified to perform many of the tasks that doctors can. They help take the load off of doctors so they can focus on other tasks that NPs are not qualified for.

NPs often work after-hours or on-call when the doctor is not working. They will call the doctor for opinions and support when needed.

Steve, an APRN, says Nurse Practitioners in nursing homes don’t usually have strictly set hours. As long as the NP sees their required patients daily and weekly, the facility is unlikely to track their total hours worked.

Nursing home work is often more structured despite not having strict hours. NPs generally have a routine to follow every day that they wouldn’t have in a hospital setting.

Despite having structure, NPs rarely get bored working in nursing homes. Rebecca Lee, a registered nurse (RN), says, “Nursing homes are basically a generalized internal medicine unit.” Nurse Practitioners see all kinds of conditions, offering variety to their days.

NPs working in nursing homes form a better sense of community with their patients. They see and work with the residents and their families regularly. NPs build relationships with these people that they wouldn’t get in other settings.

Conclusion

Michael Mileski et al. says that having Nurse Practitioners in nursing homes reduces the rehospitalization of patients and increases their chances of recovery. NPs respond to their patients quickly, spend lots of time with them, and perform more comprehensive evaluations.

In other words, Nurse Practitioners are invaluable assets for nursing homes and their patients. Besides that, they are often great places to work, especially for NPs who enjoy building long-lasting relationships with their patients.

Looking for the Perfect NP Opportunity in a Nursing Home?

Do you wish to work as an NP in a nursing home or similar environment? At Momentum Healthcare staffing, we help find your perfect job match. We are constantly adding new positions to our job board, from Locum Tenens to permanent opportunities. Please contact us if you would like us to help match you!

Shows like Star Trek depict medicine and medical procedures as easy and painless as an afternoon on a lounge chair. A doctor waves an instrument over the patient’s body and voila! All is fixed. Although we’re not quite that advanced (yet), we’re getting closer and closer. Medical advances in the last twenty years have included wearable devices, HPV and COVID vaccines, and bionic limbs, making medical procedures and healthcare in general faster, smoother, and less painful. Now, with the technologies of interventional radiology, patients can be treated for a variety of diseases, including cancer, without surgery, anesthesia, or pain.

Originally founded in the 1960s by Charles Dotter, MD, interventional radiology (IR) treats a variety of conditions, including stroke, transplant support, and cancer. These conditions and diseases are treated through minimally invasive, image-guided treatment that once required surgery, says the Society of Interventional Radiology. This example of modern medicine is performed by board certified interventional radiologists who are trained in radiology and in minimally invasive therapies, says the article.

The term interventional radiology may sound vague to some, however, a more in-depth description of what is actually done is this: to diagnose and treat many diseases, an IR can, in many cases, forego surgery and hospitalization by inserting various instruments into the body, says John Hopkins Medicine. Catheters, wires, x-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound technology help guide the IR to internally see the patient and treat the issue. The cuts involved in inserting the tools can be as small as a pinhole, says WebMD.

Interventional radiology is monumental in cancer treatment, says WebMD. By placing chemotherapy and radioactive medicines into the affected areas, it directly treats the disease, prevents bleeding (during surgery). It also aids in pain from cancer treatment side effects such as blood clots and fluid buildup, says the article. More amazing procedures IRs can perform for cancer are killing cancer tumors via heat through radio waves or electric currents, or freezing them with ice crystals. IR also treats conditions with blood vessels, kidneys, and gallstones.

Training to become an IR is extensive. IRs are medical doctors that are trained in radiology, minimally invasive procedures, radiation safety and physics, and must have a comprehensive knowledge of the latest procedures available as well as diagnostic and clinical experience, says Radiologyinfo. IRs can be hospital based, meaning they travel to and from a couple of different hospitals within their work week, and/or they can be a part of specialty group practices, outside of the hospital, says the American Medical Association. An IR usually spends four days a week treating patients, and about one day a week doing administrative work, referring physicians, consults, and completing notes, says the article. They have become an integral part of a treatment team within hospitals and private practices. 

We are living in an exciting time of medicine, where seeing and treating the body is becoming less about invasive exploration and more about advanced imagery. It’s not quite body scanners and needle-free hyposprays, but it’s safe to say we are learning and going places, medically, where no man has gone before.

Looking for the Perfect IR Placement?

Balancing work and life as an interventional radiologist can prove challenging. Finding a position that offers the compensation you deserve and the hours that allow you to have your own free time is important. Luckily, Momentum Healthcare Staffing helps match IRs with the best hospitals. Please contact us to learn more and be sure to bookmark our jobs page for the latest Locums Tenens and permanent placements.

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