Avant Healthcare Professionals will be exhibiting at the AHCA/NCAL 61st Annual Convention and Exposition October 10 – 13, 2010 in Long Beach California. The American Health Care Association is the nation’s largest association for long term and post-acute care providers, advocating for quality care and services of elderly and disabled Americans.

The AHCA/NCAL convention and exposition comes at a time when the nation is entering a new era for healthcare and long term care based on the government’s healthcare reform. According to Brian Hudson, Senior Vice President, “The HIT changes created by Healthcare Reform, has allowed us to expand our service offerings to provide exceptional Healthcare IT professionals to our clients. As a Healthcare specific placement firm, we understand the unique demands for Healthcare IT and offer IT professionals who have a passion for healthcare. The AHCA/NCAL is a great event to share our cost effective and seamless process for talent acquisition both domestically and providing internationally trained healthcare professionals in a multitude of disciplines.”

The AHCA/NCAL will have guest speakers such as the leader of the revitalization of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Bruce Himelstein and Chester Elton author of the best seller The Carrot Principle.

Avant Healthcare Professionals international solution provides substantial return on investment ROI, increased revenues, improved retention, diversity, and is a competitive advantage to many healthcare organizations nationwide. Avant Healthcare Professionals is accredited by the Joint Commission and founding member of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR). For more information visit www.avanthealthcare.com or call 888-681-2999 ext 101

Healthcare has seen its fair share of shortages. The lack of primary and specialty care doctors, nurses and physicians assistants has been well documented for some time. Albeit not with quite the same level of concern - some may even call it panic - engendered by the predicted shortage of healthcare professionals that will accompany the influx of aging baby boomers, the newly insured and an ever-increasing immigrant population into the nation's healthcare system.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that staffing shortages will affect a large majority of healthcare providers between now and 2018, due in large part to the factors mentioned above. Employment of physical therapists will see an increase of 30%, while occupational therapists will see an increase of 26%. Physicians and surgeons, and nurses will see a growth of 22%. These numbers will be compounded by the anticipated retirement of the nearly 40% of doctors who are currently 55 or older, and the nearly 33% of the nursing workforce who are 50 or older, according to a recent article in The Washington Post. Peter Buerhaus, a nurse, healthcare economist and professor at Vanderbilt University, related in the article that the near-future shortage of nurses could reach 300,000, while a dearth of 100,000 doctors may be felt over the next 10 years.

"Without a doubt in my mind, we are not prepared to handle the growing aging population that will utilize tremendous resources in the next 20 to 30 years," says Angela Little, a nurse who has worked in several major hospital systems throughout the Southeast. "This is compounded by the fact that patients are living longer as well. In addition, we are faced with a growing immigrant population who also use resources we are simply not budgeted for. We will certainly need a greater number of healthcare professionals to handle this load."

No one is ignoring the numbers or denying the problem. In fact, it is hard to go a day without coming across an article or blog that sounds the clarion call for change and preparation.

Education and Training a Vital Piece of the Puzzle
Some providers, particularly those in primary care, are developing and implementing innovative ways with which to deal with the problem. Programs have included more care provided over than phone rather than face-to-face, appointments "shared" by up to 14 patients at a time, and nurse practitioners who hold advanced degrees that provide primary care in nurse-managed centers.

Education of the future workforce also weighs heavy on the minds of providers. Little recommends that providers "start planting the seeds of interest in healthcare early in high school with healthcare mentors, fairs and greater exposure to the industry; utilize bachelor's and graduate-trained nursing professionals in a broader capacity in community and family practices; and in turn provide and foster that education."

Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington, actively seeks to train young physicians, allied health professionals and nursing students in and around its hospital and medical clinics, according to Dr. Mitch Weinberg, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Evergreen. "Providing this type of training affords us an opportunity to fulfill our mission and responsibility to train the professionals of the future, and also exposes these students to the wonderful career opportunities at our institution. In essence, it is both on-the-job training as well as on-the-job interview."

IT Staffing will also Take a Hit
Coupled with the anticipated caregiver shortage is a corresponding lack of healthcare information technology (HIT) professionals - those who will help healthcare providers achieve federally mandated Meaningful Use requirements via the implementation of electronic medical records (EMRs) and broader health information exchanges (HIEs) over the next several years. According to the National Coordinator of Health IT, providers will need an additional 50,000 IT workers to satisfy Meaningful Use criteria over the next five years. That represents a 50% increase in the size of the current estimated healthcare IT workforce.

Recruiters are already feeling the pinch when it comes to finding HIT professionals in the United States. There are simply not enough people to fill the number of positions needed to get providers to full Meaningful Use compliance on time.

International Recruitment: An Underutilized Solution
Where will these professionals - be they stationed at the bedside or in front of a computer - come from?

International recruitment may be the answer.

"I see no reason why international nurses can not be utilized in our country as long as they can meet our standards of practice, function seamlessly in the role they are hired into, and do not compromise patient care or safety due to a lack of education or clinical expertise," says Little, who has worked with nurses from Russia, the Philippines, Mexico and Germany. "I would hold them to the same rules and regulations of any 'homegrown' healthcare professional."

Like Little, healthcare providers are quickly coming to the realization that, in the face of such daunting shortage predictions, international recruitment will be a necessary means of filling the staffing gaps the U.S. simply does not have the infrastructure to fill at this time. Lack of educational capacity including adequate clinical training sites in this country has resulted in international graduates now accounting for nearly 30% of all primary care doctors, according to a recent article in the New York Times - this being a segment that has received its fair share of coverage in recent months due to the enormous staffing shortfalls it will soon face and the lack of US medical students wanting to fill this type of position for economic reasons.

"The underlying issue in the United States is that we do not have the educational capacity to meet these needs," says Shari Sandifer, a nurse and CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals. "In my experience over the past 13 years of recruiting healthcare professionals internationally, there are numerous countries that want to educate healthcare professionals for the United States. I am completely aware and supportive of the need to recruit ethically, especially through my work as a board member on the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices."

The education factor, or lack thereof, also plays a part when it comes to healthcare IT professionals. Sandifer adds that although the government is stepping up to the plate in terms of offering educational grants and programs - like the ARRA Health IT Workforce Development Program - to begin or strengthen healthcare IT training programs, the lack of education infrastructure is simply not adequate enough to meet the anticipated need of HIT professionals. "Similarly to how international recruitment can help fill the gap in the provider area, it can help with IT professionals," Sandifer explains. "This country has a long history of utilizing IT professionals from overseas."

Overcoming International Recruitment Concerns
Avant Healthcare Professionals, a Joint Commission-certified healthcare staffing firm, is working to educate the healthcare industry on the importance of having an international healthcare strategy in place, and to overcome the more general apprehensions that are sometimes associated with recruiting foreign-born healthcare professionals, such as the notion that recruiting internationally takes away US jobs at a time when unemployment rates are still high and the immigration debate shows no signs of letting up.

Many people - some might even say most - feel that if healthcare jobs are available they should be given to US citizens. "As demand increases for healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions should first recruit domestically, then turn their focus internationally," says Sandifer. It's important that people remember that the positions providers are recruiting for are specialized and typically take a Master's degree or higher and years of clinical experience. "We already rely heavily on international medical graduates," Sandifer adds.

"The aging healthcare workforce, the constraints on the educational infrastructure and the growing number of Americans over 65 all point to increasing demand and limited supply" she explains. "How can foreign workers take US jobs when we simply do not have the US-educated workforce?"

Speaking to concerns of successfully transitioning foreign medical personnel into a hospital or practice's particular working environment, Sandifer explains that Avant has developed programs around the practice differences and regulatory requirements unique to the US healthcare system. "All of our international healthcare professionals go through these programs upon arrival in the US," she says. "In addition, the cultural and social transitioning support Avant provides is ongoing for at least the first year and a half a healthcare professional is in the US. The receiving institutions also receive support from Avant to prepare them to transition and retain these healthcare professionals.

"Avant's success is due to the alignment of expectations and goals for our international healthcare employees and the client healthcare facility. International recruitment and placement is our core competence and allows our clients to focus on delivery of healthcare rather than on learning how to recruit."

Providers will Succeed with a Progressive Plan
Predicted healthcare personnel shortages can be solved in a timely manner, as long as progressive organizations understand that investing in a multifaceted talent acquisition and management approach including education, training, recruitment - domestic and international - and retention strategies must be developed.

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About the Author
Jennifer Dennard is a writer and social media marketer based in Atlanta. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she enjoys bringing a fresh perspective to the healthcare industry, and keeping up with social media marketing trends.

Avant Healthcare Professionals and Rehab License Network announced a new marketing partnership that will help drive Brand awareness for both companies. Senior Vice President of Avant Healthcare, Brian Hudson, stated “Avant Healthcare and Rehab License Network are teaming up to provide world-class solutions that enable clients to fully understand how to take advantage of our expertise in the market and gain access to our exclusive pipeline of international candidates. Our clients can improve their business performance and accelerate patient care as demand continues to increase in the Physical and Occupational Therapy profession. We believe the relationship will yield great benefits for our clients in the form of added knowledge transfer and experience while creating new opportunities for internationally trained allied professionals.”

 

According to COO, Jeremy Gilmore, “After evaluating Avant Healthcare Professionals, and the services provided, a joint marketing venture with Rehab License Network seemed like a natural fit.  We encourage foreign trained Allied Health professionals using our site to utilize the services of Avant Healthcare.  Their expertise and track record assisting foreign trained therapists obtain work opportunities in the United States enhance the experience of site visitors. At Rehab License Network, one of our goals is to improve the quality of life for Allied Health professionals by providing vital information relevant to their careers.”

 

About Avant Healthcare

Avant Healthcare Professionals is the premier specialist for internationally educated nursing and allied health professionals; including Physical and Occupational Therapists. Avant Healthcare Professionals is Joint Commission certified and founding member of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR). Avant Healthcare Professionals “international solution” provides substantial return on investment (ROI), increased revenues, improved retention, diversity, and is a competitive advantage to progressive healthcare organizations most critical needs. For more information visit www.avanthealthcare.com

 

About Rehab License Network

Rehab License Network is the web’s largest resource for licensure and vital career information for allied health professionals. We've dedicated our careers to provide resources and tools that serve the Allied Health industry. For more information visit www.rehablicense.com

Avant Healthcare Professionals announced today that they have received IMAGE Certification from Department of Homeland Security. ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program was initiated in 2007 to combat unlawful employment and reduce vulnerabilities that help illegal aliens gain such employment.

The goal of IMAGE is to assist employers in targeted sectors to develop a more secure and stable workforce and to enhance fraudulent document awareness through education and training. Upon enrollment and commitment to DHS's best hiring practices, program participants will be deemed "IMAGE Certified" – a distinction DHS believes will creates the following benefits: national security, worksite protection, expert training and brand protection.

According to Shari Sandifer, CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals, “We strongly believe the IMAGE Certification further demonstrates our commitment to operate in an ethical, transparent and responsible manner. As an industry leader in healthcare staffing Avant proactively sought IMAGE certification.”

April is Autism Awareness Month and Avant Healthcare Professionals is proud to support organizations and efforts that increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Avant is partnered with the Threshold Center for Autism and actively participates in supports their mission to both guide and provide family centered care for children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities. It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

Avant Healthcare Professionals CEO, Shari Sandifer, has a special appreciation for Autism Awareness month. “As a mother of an autistic child I have a personal appreciation for the struggle so many families and individuals face everyday in identifying resources, treatment and support.” Please join Autism Speaks as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism. To find a Walk Event in your area please visit www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/index.php />

The Perfect Storm in the looming Healthcare Human Capital Crisis

National Healthcare Reform Magazine www.healthcarereformmagazine.com

Brian Hudson

Just as our country has endured an unprecedented economic crisis in the past 24 months, the United States will soon be in an unprecedented healthcare HUMAN CAPITAL crisis that will catch many off guard, just as the economic crisis of 2008 did for so many. There are several factors for this with Healthcare reform setting the stage for the “perfect storm” as the first of the “baby boomers” turns 65 in 2011. Just as government run Fannie and Freddie Mac helped fuel the economic crisis of 2008 – the current environment is ripe for a healthcare human capital crisis. It is no question that reform in healthcare is needed. What type of reform is the ultimate question. In their book, Redefining Health Care, the authors point out the following; “Health care is on a collision course with patient needs and economic reality. In today’s dysfunctional health care competition, players strive not to create value for patients but to capture more revenue, shift costs, and restrict services. To reform health care, we must reform the nature of competition itself.”

The Institute of Medicine in their 2008 report Retooling for an Aging America clearly leads the way when it comes to understanding the significant impact of the aging population which has not been seen before in our history.

The recommendations laid out by the IOM report are essential in healthcare reform – but have not been addressed in the current healthcare model. Other demographic factors are at play, such as, the aging healthcare workforce. Leaders in healthcare human capital retention understand that we are in the “eye of the storm” with a false sense of security with the impending wave of baby boomers, the backlog of new grads, and the eventual retirement of veteran nurses. This is especially true in the competition for quality licensed healthcare professionals who drive the revenue and deliver the highest quality in patient care. The reality is that the demand for healthcare is going up and the supply of available licensed professionals is going down. This demand cycle will be good for professionals who will see significant growth in salaries and perks, but it will be a challenge for healthcare organizations wanting to attract and retain their people with the aging population and workforce – added with the new demands of Healthcare reform.

The “true cost” of the current healthcare reform can not be calculated – needless to say it will be a number that makes the Wall Street bailout seem insignificant. Healthcare reform is certainly needed – we are on a “collision course” with both the demographic and economic reality. The type and degree of reform needs to have all healthcare leaders involved in the debate as reform is being constructed like a makeshift life boat as the storm clouds appear on the horizon.

Avant Healthcare Professionals, a nationwide expert in providing internationally educated nursing and allied health professionals; including Physical and Occupational Therapists, announced today that they have updated their website to better represent the lines of business and healthcare professionals they serve, both clients and candidates. According to ersonName w:st="on">Shari SandiferersonName>, CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals, “The website update highlights our years of experience and success featuring quotes from both our client facilities and healthcare professionals.  We are excited to have a forum to post blogs on current issues and challenges in our industry." VP of International Recruitment, Lesley Hamilton states, “The new website has been developed to provide easy access to information for applicants and clients. The new site has a clean, user friendly format. We have added some new features that allow for easier referral of new applicants and resumes can be submitted directly from the website.” In terms of overall client relations, CRO ersonName w:st="on">Brian HudsonersonName> added, “The new website educates our clients on our seamless process of providing an ‘international solution’ for the current and looming healthcare professional shortage domestically and positions Avant Healthcare Professionals to be a unique resource for clinicians and healthcare human capital professionals.” 

Avant Healthcare Professionals was a recent participant and sponsor of the PPTA Conference held in Manila September 12 and 13, 2009. The PPTA is in the forefront for the advancement of the physical therapy profession in the Philippines. Avant Healthcare Professionals was a recent participant and sponsor of the PPTA Conference held in Manila September 12 and 13, 2009. The PPTA is in the forefront for the advancement of the physical therapy profession in the Philippines. According to Lesley Hamilton, RN (USA, NZ, UK), Vice President of Recruitment for Avant Healthcare Professionals, “The conference provides members an opportunity to meet with prospective employers both internationally and within the Philippines as well as take part in professional development workshops and forums.” Avant presented details of their comprehensive program to the attendees with a focus on their highly successful NPTE review program with a current pass rate of 97% and the clinical support programs and preparation Avant offers their applicants before commencing work with US based clients. According to Hamilton, “The information was well received with many acknowledging colleagues already on the program and working in the US recommend Avant’s program very highly. With Avant’s contact through the PPTA we are able to secure well qualified and experienced therapists for US clients as well as work with the next generation of therapists completing their training now to ensure they gain the best qualifications and clinical experience before commencing their processing for the USA.” Avant will continue to be an active participant in upcoming PPTA conferences and facilitating PPTA members with their US processing.

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