When you first venture into the world of locum tenens opportunities, finding the best staffing agency for you may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, you can narrow your selection, and increase your likelihood of securing ethical service, by setting your sights on companies that are part of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO).
NALTO was established in 2001 to create and enforce industry standards for the locum tenens profession. For staffing agencies, including Weatherby Healthcare and more than 70 others, to become NALTO members, they must abide by a Code of Ethics and standards that were put in place to promote sound business practices in this competitive industry.
As a locum tenens provider, you receive numerous benefits from partnering with a NALTO member agency:
Ethical integrity
NALTO’s Code of Ethics was established to maximize the relationships between locum tenens companies, client facilities, and physicians.
“By working with a NALTO member agency, you can rest assured the firm’s recruitment operations and business practices promote integrity, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction,” says Weatherby Healthcare Vice President Greg Prine, who serves as NALTO’s Ethics Chair.
If a dispute arises between locum tenens agencies, NALTO members can utilize the organization’s well-formulated arbitration process to reach an amicable solution. “Agencies work together through the relationship they have with NALTO via the arbitration process to minimally involve the provider,” relates Prine. “The professional interests of providers and continuity of quality patient care for clients are respected and upheld.”
If, at any time, you feel a member company has acted unethically, you may file a formal complaint with NALTO’s ethics committee, which comprises key representatives from long-standing NALTO company members. The committee will review and if necessary, act upon any reported or suspected violations of the ethical code, potentially resulting in sanctions up to and including termination of membership.
High standards of practice
Members must also adhere to NALTO’s Standards of Practice and Procedures, which emphasize honesty, integrity, objectivity, and competency. NALTO members fully respect various industry protocols regarding acceptable practices for temporary provider staffing.
NALTO members operate with mutual respect for their providers, their facility clients, and for each other. By adhering to strong ethics and high standards, they ensure you get the quality of service you deserve. That’s why you should consider making NALTO membership a requirement for any locum tenens staffing agency with which you partner.
