Hi there, my name is Mary McCrady and for the next few minutes, I’ll be your licensing and credentialing sherpa. As Administrative Assistant at ENSEARCH for the past 5+ years, I’ve recently added Licensure & Credentialing Specialist to my job title. In this post, we’ll explore some of the insider tips and strategies I’ve learned so far.
When I was told that we would be taking on the licensing & credentialing of our locum tenens NNPs, I jumped at the chance of heading this department. With my background in lending and real estate, I knew what the role entailed. My last position in real estate was transaction coordinator; preparing documents, sending them to all parties involved; lenders, title companies, and other RE firms followed up on their return and made sure all was in order and documented for compliance regulations.
All I had to do was learn the players and the documents involved, right? OMG, I had no idea of what I really was getting into…talk about compliance regulations! I had completely new points of contact and organizations to become acquainted with, and had to learn how they work and what they need. I also had to earn the trust of the people I was working with, both you (NNPs) and the institutions who may be hoping to hire you..
I relied on Tim’s 25+ years of experience when I needed to bounce something off him or asked for his advice. Talk about a wealth of knowledge!
Below is what I experienced and how you can get around some (or most) of the pitfalls.
1. The process can be maddening
It can take anywhere from eight weeks to several months to complete the licensing and credentialing process. It depends on the kind of licensure you are applying for and the institution you will be working for. You will fill out applications and supply documentation to the different agencies. There are several fees involved in the different processes, they will not start your file until they receive payment!
2. Fill out your application as completely as possible
This way, when the institutions you’ve submitted to finally get to your file they can continue with the process (instead of putting it on hold, waiting for documentation to come in and having to wait your turn again!).
Before submitting your application, review and then review again, for any missing information or any requested documentation that you may have missed, all checks are written and attached, etc.
3. Realize that everything you submit will need to be verified
For licensure, it will include, but is not limited to, verifications for education:
- Number of hours worked in the last year’s employment (they want a specific number of hours)
- Schooling transcripts
- Criminal background check to include fingerprints submitted to the division of criminal investigation
If all is satisfactory, and upon review, they will issue a license.
For credentialing (a credentialist will be assigned to you, so you will have a contact person) it will include…but not limited to;
verification of present/past employers (there are questions on the forms that help determine your ability, demeanor and if they would hire you back or not):
- Affiliations
- Peer references
- All current and past licensure & certifications (they will want copies)
- COIs
- Activity logs
- Immunization records
- State or federal issued photo ID-notarized
- 10-12 panel drug test (within 30 days of start date)
Once your credentialist is satisfied with all documents, they will recommend you to the committee and from there to the board of directors, for your appointment and privileges.
4. Verification must come from the source
All verification documentation has to come from the direct source, straight to them…..no third-party reporting.
BUT you can follow up on these items asking whoever/whatever party to please expedite the return of the documents sent to them.
5. Be proactive
…And keep copies of everything. Make a folder on your desktop so you can store ALL documentation in one place. Don’t assume they have what you sent to them, follow up on all documentation sent (documents do get misfiled & machines eat paperwork, so you might have to forward to them again!).
Just when you think….is this ever going to end? The magical words finally come….you’ve made it through committee and off to the board of directors for final signatures!
You are done and can now start your new adventure.
Have any licensing and credentialing questions or comments? Leave them below!
