FAQ
Physicians exploring career opportunities have lots of questions and the wisdom to seek the best resources available to get the answers to your specific inquiries. We have no illusions that all the questions or answers you need are here, but we strived to capture some of the most frequently asked. As with all our activities, we would appreciate your input regarding this or any page on this site by clicking contact us.
What’s the difference between Locum Tenen and Contract Staffing?
What’s the Medical Staffing industry all about?
How does ALLIANCE compare to other agencies?
Why should I select ALLIANCE?
What assignments might ALLIANCE have to offer?
Why don’t you offer all Specialties?
Should I register for the Alliance Passport Services program?
What about other “Contracting Details” like Insurances, Travel, etc ?
Can I bring others on my assignments?
Are there any issues to be careful of?
What kind of Positions might fit my Circumstance?
Why do I need ALLIANCE as my Agent?
How do I get started with the ALLIANCE Recruiting Resources Program?
Question
What’s the difference between Locum Tenen and Contract Staffing?
Answer
Locum Tenen (LT) – Latin translating to “local tenant (location - hold keep)”. The term used in healthcare means physicians or other healthcare providers (e.g. as CRNA, PA, Therapists, and Nurses), who are independent contract employees working under a large variety of arrangements and schedules for other providers. Over the years, more definitive terms within this class of workers have emerged. Some used with increasing frequency and include of the following:
Physician or (CRNA, etc) Contractor (PC) – a specific term describing the physicians relationship in concert with federal & state taxation and statutes as an Independent Contractor, who files as a self employed 1099, and not a W-2 employee. Work may be performed locally as per diem locum tenens with day by day schedules. A PC may also travel or work locally with longer commitments of 2 – 52 weeks each
Per Diem – Generally short term from partial days to weeks. Almost always local. These may be either W-2 or Contractors. Most often W-2 if nurse or allied. 1099 if CRNA or Physician.
Traveler – Refers to out of town work. Terms usually 2 – 13 or more weeks. Most often are W-2 if Nurse or Allied Technologists, or 1099 if Physician Contractors..
Telemedicine including Teleradiology is – most often a considered a service rather than employment arrangement. Though a 1099 Independent contractor is possible, the relationships on every level are quite diverse and need to be carefully defined for each instance.
At ALLIANCE – we provide all services under the terms above plus our WORKING INTERVIEW™ our Physician Contractor to Permanent options. The highest percentage of our work is best defined professionally as Physician and CRNA Contracting
Question
What’s the Medical Staffing industry all about?
Answer
Annual U.S. Healthcare Staffing revenues total about $12 billion with Physician Contracting representing $1.4 billion. Travel and local Per Diem Nursing is the largest segment with combined revenues near $6.8 billion. Allied Health staff accounts for the balance of approximately $4 billion. Agency organized Medical staffing has existed for over 30 years and is a mature market and many facilities rely interim staff to complete their mission. During the late 90’s and through 2002 the industry grew at annually at a compounded rate exceeding 10%. In mid to late 2002 the revenues declined by 10% and remained flat throughout 2004. In 2005 the decline appears to have eased and modest growth of 3-5% occurred in 2005. It is important to note that Physician Contracting continued to grow vigorously throughout 1998 to the present. We believe the future for Physician contracting remains both exciting and promising for doctors seeking alternatives to fit their changing priorities.
The outlook for most health providers is continuing growth in utilization and revenues. Demand will lead supply driven by aging citizens, population growth, life extending technology, and a continuing forecasted shortage of health care professionals. Healthcare costs now exceed $6,500 per capita and the total industry is 16% of GDP representing $1.9 trillion. Future growth in health expenditures is expected to remain vigorous.
In this vast market, less than 780,000 physicians are in control $2,450,000 of national medical spend per year per doctor. The entire system depends on the doctors skills and judgment to create value and control costs. This power is unique as they direct channels from diagnostics to therapy, and continuing guidance on subsequent system utilization including extended care. Current outlooks for physician services is exceptional by any measure. All facilities depend on the physician for financial results and viability.
Question
How does ALLIANCE compare to other agencies?
Answer
We have a very experienced management team focused on surpassing all industry performance bench marks. Middle management and their staff have been selected for professional and interpersonal skills. They are supported by continuous training and participate in quality management programs.
Our business is built upon knowledge management, skills, resources, commitment, effort, professional courtesy and ethical conduct.
Question
Why should I select ALLIANCE?
Answer
Measure us by our rapid growth and acceptance by your peers. Talk with our people at any level and you will hear their dedication and enthusiasm for your plans. Speak with client facilities and physicians who have used ALLIANCE. Witness the results we deliver for you at every step from first call to completion of assignment. And then we are ready to map a new program to meet your next goal. Your agent remains with you through the entire process from first contact, to every following assignment. This same agent is responsible for the felicity manager where you work from start to finish. No hand-offs. No split responsibilities. No dropped actions or forgotten promises. An agent with managerial responsibility is always there for any circumstance, the difference is clear. ALLIANCE has the management, plan and people.
Question
What assignments might ALLIANCE have to offer?
Answer
- Service coverage is nationwide for recruiting physicians, CRNA's, and staffing facilities.
- We offer select positions with leading providers for:
- Anesthesia
- CRNA
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Contractors with assignments from 1 -52 weeks
- Locum Tenens per diem when available
- Travel or Local venues
- Permanent Placement
- Working Interviews
Question
Why don’t you offer all Specialties?
Answer
Because of our commitment to quality. Agency’s that claim many specialties risk being master none. At ALLIANCE your agent works with your specialty only and within your geography. Since you work with one specialty and are licensed to practice within certain state(s), it make sense to have your agent aware and involved with what you do. Understanding your customer is fundamental to providing better service and added value.
Question
Should I register for the Alliance Passport Services if I am not presently ready to actively seek a new position?
Answer
Definitely, While we are ready to professionally serve your career interests at any time, we don't pester or pressure our clients. But you should begin thinking of us as an open resource for your interests. We are building on a format of lifetime value, not one time opportunity.
Almost all our site is open to visitors without registration so you can discover us and the features of our physician career support. If you wish to register for Passport membership you’ll obtain access to extended technology, services and rewards available only to our clients. You can expect more from ALLIANCE. And we deliver it recognizing your individual preferences and interests. You will want to join and enjoy Passport’s member benefits for Physician and CRNA’s with interests in Contract Staffing whether immediate, or a year or more down the road. Here’s the perfect way to begin.
There’s no cost or obligation, and registration takes just a few minutes. Alliance Passport Services provides extra’s for those active, or considering becoming a Physician Contractor. All in a Secure Private, and Confidential format..
BENEFITS from Alliance Passport Services membership:
- Access your specialty current pre-screened, open and active positions with presorts to your profile. Fast, efficient, private, up-to-date positions ready to be filled Protection that gives you priority over casual passerby’s to accept or decline first.
- Email notifications promptly sent on new openings that fit your profile as received. You don’t want to loose a good opportunity in your favorite location.
- Access to your own open position lists with valid, details. We don’t salt, or allow postings to age so we look better
- News letters and Bulletin opt in - or out – as suits.
- Special incentives, plans, prizes and surprises
- Bonus programs
- In addition to our open medical news feed, with Passport you’ll gain access to over 36,000 medical news achieves over past three years.
- Access to free FLASH travel arrangements anytime you need lodging, rental cars, or airline options. We can give you options, book reservations, for you or family whenever you travel.
- Passport is one reason your colloquies join, and stay with ALLIANCE. It’s all about the relationship built on your interests and needs.
Question
What about other “Contracting Details” like Insurances, Travel, etc ?
Answer
Click on any of the following area’s for more information. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for click “Contact Us” for prompt response.
Question
Can I bring others on my assignments?
Answer
Absolutely. Click on Travel.
Question
Are there any issues to be careful of?
Answer
Certainly. But alleviating those concerns all comes down to just one thing - “Selecting the right agency!” America’s healthcare is an extraordinarily complex industry, with deep layers of federal and state regulations, liability, and practice skills, all spread across 50 states and thousands of provider venues. Add the components of interim contracting, insurance, and travel. Troubled waters to be sure. But where others fail to navigate, ALLIANCE’s execution of your engagement is a flawless ballet of travel and medical administration excellence. We frequently complete entire transactions from first call to working on site in just 4 – 6 weeks. With 100% compliance and credentialing completed. That’s half the time of the industry averages. Time is important when you expect to be paid and patients are waiting. Constant innovation at ALLIANCE produces results envied by competitors. Even healthcare facilities seek to learn our methods.
Promises made are kept. We have protocols to prevent misunderstandings upfront, and never fail to fairly stand behind every commitment of our work product. The purpose is to create priceless peace of mind for both practioner and facility. We’ll quickly earn your trust through performance. Work done right the first time and on time.
Question
What kind of Positions might fit my Circumstance?
Answer
The flexibility of Contract Staffing or Locum Tenens Per Diem is amazing. Here’s just a partial menu for choices to reach desired goals under a wide variety of circumstances:
- Length of each engagement from days to 52 weeks
- Work schedule you choose. Local or travel anywhere USA
- Take a paid vacation – or double up income with most vacation expenses paid. Tell us where you want to go. Bring the family.
- What about hire options? That's our WORKING INTERVIEW™ program so you can “try before hire” . A great idea for both parties. ALLIANCE will help you find exactly what you’re looking for..
- Click here to see more Rewards & Benefits of Contract Staffing.
Did we miss a potential solution you were looking for? Please “Contact Us”. We’ve got the all the tools and resources to find just what your looking for.
Also, don’t miss visiting “Contractor Details”under "Rewards and Benefits"for more insights and answers.
Question
Why do I need ALLIANCE as my Agent?
Answer
There are many reasons to use career support from ALLIANCE in addition to best choice criteria: Here’s a few to get started.
- There are over 20,000 health facilities and nearly 800,000 physicians.
- Opportunities come and go quickly
- One competent agency who can work with your changing needs for a lifetime is better than multiple persons of unknown voracity calling and confusing you and your potential clients.
- There are over 20,000 health facilities and nearly 800,000 physicians.
- Opportunities come and go quickly
- Time, effort, long hours, and technology are keys to find your unique opportunity profiles.
- One competent agency who can work with your changing needs for a lifetime is better than multiple persons of unknown voracity calling and confusing you and your potential clients.
- Your time is valuable personally and in dollars.
- It’s impossible to track phones, messages, call-backs, wasted effort activities, and simply organizing it all is overwhelming.
- ALLIANCE canvasses the markets continuously to be aware of openings, special programs to fulfill your placement, and all the contractual documents created from years of successful experience. Documents that fairly represent a good deal for both you and the facility.
- Information is presented you in your choice of formats, clearly and accurately. We know the details you will want to know.
- Our pre-screening of positions gives you a “qualified lists” to evaluate for further consideration. All selected to your criteria.
- Appointments are scheduled by ALLIANCE and we will negotiate your interests for the convenience and value of an independent 3rd party.
- We are available every day for messaging, routing, organizing, filing, tracking, project managing next steps – for both you and the facility. It’s like your own dedicated office for your career advancement.
- The costs are ‘ 0 ‘. All fees are paid by the facility.
- Your confidentiality and anonymity is maintained.
- ALLIANCE never broadcasts or releases your name, address, phone or identifying numbers. Any notice to any other provider is only with your explicit permission
- ALLIANCE is a member of, and subscribes to the best practices of NALTO ( National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations) and ASA (American Staffing Association) We also maintain memberships with professional associations related our business activities.
The situation is similar to representing yourself in court. Most would select an attorney. Actors, and sports players, coaches and America’s top executives advance their careers with agents while they concentrate on their skills.
Question
How do I get started with the ALLIANCE Recruiting Resources Program?
Answer
We’re ready and delighted to welcome you now. Open the door to the excitement only ALLIANCE delivers. Clients across America who need you, or will soon, and well into the future are waiting. Click on “Contact Us”, or complete the Alliance Passport Services registration to get all the benefits and knowledge immediately. You’ll find many resources throughout the website, with much more planned during the next 12 months.
ALLIANCE Recruiting Resources is a supporting member of: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations – and the American Staffing Association
Alliance’s Passport services give you access to customized search engines and our highly experienced team of contracting specialists. Try it today with no obligation.