Credentialing And The Healthcare Staffing Industry

By: Colleen Mills
Date: 5/1/2008

Most staffing agency administrators are struggling with the concept of credentialing their office(s) and asking why is it relevant? What is in it for me? For my Client? I'm going to answer those queries, and more, with the hope you will find some clarity on the issue and are motivated to take a leadership role for the industry.

RELEVANCY
Accreditation is a validation of your company ethics and sound business practices.Validating staff credentialing practices, testing procedures, and quality improvement programs, for example. Excellence Through Evidence - you tell your clients you offer excellence in service and an accrediting survey offers the evidence to validate that. In terms of reducing your liability risk and exposure for both the agency and client, accreditation can be a critical aid in achieving that and ultimately reduce premiums.

WIIFM?
Accreditation, and the voluntary pursuit of it, establishes and demonstrates the agency takes a Leadership role in the industry and takes pride in having that independently acknowledged. The industry has some image scars and credentialing will go a long way in improving the perceptions and image of the staffing industry. Along the way, accreditation improves processes and that will always have a positive impact on the agency and its clients.

FEARS VS INVESTMENTS
The greatest fear we have encountered from the agencies is the fear of the unknown; loss of control of agency processes. The idea that a critical eye is focused on the operations of the agency and there are consequences for non-compliance with standards is intimidating. On the other hand, when surveyors are auditing an agency, their whole premise is about building on the positives, improving on the mediocre and correcting the negatives. Done properly, an audit may make you anxious at first, but in the end should be a positive and educational experience. If not, find another credentialing body.

Another fear is certainly the financial one. Will the cost justify the effort? Actually, the financial commitment is an investment well worth the effort! Most agencies achieving accreditation will find their professional liability carrier will award them discounts for seeking the third party oversight of accreditation and over three years in many cases that can pay for the survey costs. The financial commitment to accreditation becomes a tool for the marketing department as well as the recruiters in sourcing new employees and retaining the ones you have. In the aftermath of Enron et al, employees seek ethical and sound entities to work for.

ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES
Accreditation and the processes involved means an opportunity to get the whole team involved. It takes a collaborative effort on the part of all staff to succeed in your business and in the credentialing process. This collaboration promotes a "buy-in" mentality to accomplish goals and quality initiatives related to and driven by the industry standards. Achieving the quality initiatives means more efficient business operations, better service to clients, and certainly enhanced service to staff. Clients will appreciate your efforts and strong client rapport builds strong client contracts, alliances and partnerships.

Of course accreditation adds to the cost of doing business. It is an investment of time and energy to implement policies and procedures to meet standards. However, once performance to meet standards is a normal routine, the agency becomes a more efficient and organized operation that may actually reduce operational costs and see other reductions in costs such as reduced insurance premiums.

Credentialing is third party oversight that implements a measurement tool for success, creates a more trusting relationship between agency and clients, and results in enhanced partnerships between entities. Credentialing is a value-added incentive and a benchmark of quality for the client and prospective healthcare professional waiting to be recruited. Now what are you waiting for...... Be an Industry Leader!

Colleen Mills is the CEO and Founder of Staffing Accreditation Standards, an accrediting body for the healthcare staffing industry. She can be reached at 877.723.0372 or by e-mail at colleenmills@sas-accredits. com.