How does locum tenens credentialing work?

Any provider who works with Weatherby will go through an internal credentialing review and an external credentialing (institutional privileging) process. At Weatherby, credentialing teams are divided into medical specialties. This helps streamline the process because members are familiar with the specific terminology and procedures. They are also divided into internal and external credentialing teams.

Our internal credentialing team will perform background checks and authenticate aspects of your background, like education and board certifications to DEA registration and licenses. They will also perform critical queries, such as those sent through the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Federation of State Medical Boards to further investigate any claims history and sanctions against licensure.

External credentialing team assists in completing privileges for your assignments, when applicable. They serve as facilitators for you and the facility, assisting with follow-up on verifications to expedite the process.

1. Complete online application

Providers hoping to accept locum tenens jobs begin by filling out an online application, which jump-starts a process called Primary Source Verification, an integral part of the credentialing process. With this information, Weatherby’s internal credentialing representatives will verify all education and licensure requirements by verifying them with their primary source.

2. Gather documents

For credentialing, be prepared to provide:

• Medical licenses

• DEA certification

• Board certifications

• Medical school diploma

• Proof of training, including residency and fellowship

• Official change-of-name documentation, if applicable

• Life support certifications, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)

Scan, email, fax, or mail pictures of these documents to the credentialing team; hard copies aren’t usually needed.

Physicians trained internationally are required to submit their Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification as well as proof of permanent resident status or H-1B visa.

In addition, hospitals mandate clinicians provide proof of vaccination for the following:

• Hepatitis B

• Measles, mumps and rubella

• Varicella

• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis

• Meningococcal disease

• A negative tuberculosis test result within the past year is also required

3. Notify and submit your professional references

You’ll be required to identify at least three references, two of which should be from clinicians within their specialty. You should also list your program director as a reference. Be sure to verify correct contact information for references. It slows down the process when a reference can’t be reached and/or a new name needs to be submitted.

References should provide a view of competency over the past two years, especially in procedures expected while on assignment.

4. Finalize external credentialing

Once your data is confirmed, agency-specific credentialing is finalized and remains valid for two years. However, you will need separate credentialing for each assignment at each new facility. This is referred to as external credentialing, and it’s required because each facility has its own requisites and insists on its own primary source verifications.

The good news is the external credentialing team pre-populates the hospital application with the information the internal credentialing team compiled to save time.

After the internal team fills out as much of the information as it can, you’ll be contacted to complete all outstanding fields. It is then forwarded to the hospital. From there, the external credentialing team works directly with the facility to fill in any blanks or answer questions. The team’s ultimate goal is to save you time so you can treat patients rather than fill out paperwork.

Disclose your professional history accurately

Nothing slows down the credentialing process like missing or inaccurate information. Report all licensure sanctions or malpractice claims in detail. Also, make sure applications match the CV because all discrepancies must be investigated, even two-month differences.

Be responsive

While having experts on your side makes this process faster and easier, you’re a big part of the process. Communicating in a timely fashion with consultants and credentialing representatives can help prevent delays. You should expect to let credentialing teams know your preferred method of contact for urgent items.