Anders Group's Guide to Travel Healthcare Credentialing

Once you get your credentialing documentation in good order, you can begin the fun and rewards of travel healthcare.

If you’re new to the travel healthcare world, you may not yet be aware of the various credentialing documents you must keep track of as a travel healthcare provider. If you’ve been in travel healthcare for a while, you may have already undergone the frustration of trying to keep track of everything. If not, you will appreciate the importance of this information.

Credentialing 101

To help anyone just starting out, here’s what it means and why it matters.

Credentialing is the process of establishing the qualifications of licensed medical professionals and assessing their background and legitimacy. Credentialing is the process of giving a designation, such as a certificate or license, by assessing an individual's knowledge, skill, or performance level. It also includes current, personal data that contributes to an individual’s readiness to perform the work they will undertake.

Here are some of the documents you, as a healthcare traveler, are required to provide and ensure most current status:

Resume
References
Copy of Driver’s License
Copy of Passport
State Licenses
CPR Certification
Specialty Certification(s)
Vaccine records
Annual Physical Exam
PPD Tests
Drug Screens

For healthcare travelers who are veterans in the business, you are aware of the time constraints and demands involved to ensure all relevant documents are accurate and current. You also are, no doubt, well aware of the impact of not staying current on providing the needed documents.

For instance, if you are just a few weeks away from starting an assignment in healthcare travel, then you know that if you are lax in completing the documents, you will not be able to start the assignment.

Tips for Successful Credentialing

Start Early: Begin the credentialing processes well in advance of your start date for an assignment.
Stay Organized: Maintain all your documentation, licenses, and certifications in one place to streamline and refer back to anything you may need. It's advisable to store items in a folder on your PC, phone, or cloud storage (OneDrive, DropBox, etc.) so you can quickly and easily share these with the Anders credentialing team no matter where you are.
Effective Communication: Keep open lines of communication with your Anders recruiter and credentialing team to ensure that all requirements are met and get the support each step.
Be Flexible: Be prepared for variations in licensing and credentialing requirements between states and facilities because they can be very different.
Record Keeping: Keep thorough records of your licenses and credentials, including expiration dates, to ensure they remain up to date.

A good start is to make a list of necessary documents you will need. (Refer to the list above). If you need copies of any of these documents, make your request well in advance, especially if you have certifications which are expiring soon.

As you prepare to go through your list and check off what you’ve gathered, be certain all the information is complete and accurate. There are some online application systems which can give you some help to avoid delays.

If you have questions, contact the credentialing body or facility with any questions about the application process. Be sure to follow up on submitted applications within a reasonable timeframe. If you haven’t heard back, reach out again to get the details you need.

Remember, the licensing requirements vary state by state, so it’s imperative you understand the differences. You can find information online about the compliance requirements for each state.

These links may be helpful for travel healthcare compliance within each state.

The Exciting World of Travel Healthcare

Travel healthcare offers exciting possibilities for both your personal and professional life. While it may seem a bit complicated at first to get all of your credentialing documentation in order, the end result is well worth the time spent. And remember, the way in which you organize the important documents you need will only streamline your journey as you embark on each new assignment.

Anders Group is composed of supportive, professional travel healthcare individuals who work with each traveler on a personal basis. You will have access to them if you have credentialing questions along the way. As you get to know one another, the working relationship becomes very much like a new, reliable friend. For every journey you make in your career as a healthcare traveler with us, an Anders Group professional will be there for you, 24/7, day or night guaranteed!

Now the most important question we will ask you is this:

Where Do You Want to Go Today?