What is the passion of ENSEARCH? Our passion is the ethical, quality recruitment of amazing people. The people that we work with here at ENSEARCH are stars in their own right. The Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, the recruiters, hospital HR staff, are all part of our family.
In this personal series, we will be highlighting various people to hear their stories, to learn about who they are, where they are today, and the lessons they can share with all of us. Today, we are hearing from one of the recruiters with ENSEARCH, Eric Shiffman.
What is your experience?
For the last 22 years, I have been a recruiter with ENSEARCH. I was born in Cincinnati but only lived there for a few years. My family moved to California when I was five, and have stayed here ever since. I attended Sonoma State University in Northern California, majoring in history, though my first employment post-grad was within information technology (IT).
Initially, the plan was to work in IT, but when that job dissolved, I was left without work and just laying around the house. My girlfriend (who would later become my spouse) came to me and said, “Hey, I found this cue card at the career center, and you like talking to people, and your father is a physician, so here, how about this job!”
Tell me about your time with ENSEARCH?
When I started working with Tim at ENSEARCH, it was him and me in the same room, desks facing each other — and Tim watching my every move. It was intense learning the recruiting job, negotiations, but soon I realized that it was more than just a job, it became all about relationships. I like to call it a “secondary icing on the cake.” It just wasn’t about making quotas, it was about assisting the hospital recruiters and NNPs about their needs, wants, and desires to live their lives and support the babies.
How has recruiting changed over the years?
Well, (while laughing), it has changed a lot! And I mean A LOT. At first, I just sat at that desk facing Tim, making a ton of phone calls following a script. Back then, it was all centered around calling the individual hospitals to see if they have a NICU, who was in charge and did they even hire NNPs. Twenty-two years ago, the NNP field was starting to evolve as hospitals were just beginning to take notice of the NNP and what they can do.
It was a challenging time though and over the course of the decades I now have a greater understanding of the wants, needs, desires of all the hospitals, physician groups and nurses. It is no longer just “next phone call”. Rather, taking the time to make that connection when the opportunity allows.
Technology has also helped to change the recruiting of NNPs over the years. Email has been an enormous help because we realize that NNPs do not always have the time to stop and take a phone call.
We also recruit at various colleges and national conferences for NNPs.
Finally, since we have been around for so long, we have acquired many friends along the way. Our NNPs make friends with others, and the ENSEARCH family grows organically.
Can you give a timeline of how the recruitment process works?
It is a lengthy endeavor; recruiting is not a quick process. From the time we introduce ourselves to a candidate about a new opportunity until the individual’s first day at the new job, six months in between is not uncommon.
- Meet the new NNP and get to know their needs, wants, desires
- Obtain a resume so we can better see the individual on paper
- Introduce potential job opportunities
- Have the first phone or web interview
- Arrange for the candidate to fly out to the area for a site interview to observe the unit and the location
- Receive a possible job offer, exploring the entire package together (wage, benefits, start date, etc.)
- The NNP accepts offer, proceeds with credentialing, licensure and potential relocation process
As you can see, the process can be a lengthy one. There can be delays anywhere along the line, which can make the process complicated. To be effective at this, I am always working with multiple NNPs in various stages of the process.
How vital is Locum to ENSEARCH?
Locum tenens has evolved into about one-third of our business here at ENSEARCH.The locum tenens program allows NNPs to travel to various places in the US to help out on a short-term basis. Often it is a six +/- month commitment, allowing the Locum NNP to enjoy a new town and culture, while still keeping their roots planted at their own homes.
For the facility, having Locum NNPs on staff assists the NICU to continue operating smoothly.
While staffing difficulties are nothing new for hospitals, one must consider the implication of not having NNPs or a physician. If the hospital can’t bring the baby into their NICU, they have to transfer the patient elsewhere. Occasionally this is necessary and sometimes it has financial repercussions. Compared to a Neonatologist, the NNP is quite similar in terms of knowledge base, ability to resuscitate, stabilize and manage the patient, perform surgeries, attend deliveries and administer certain medications as well as comfort the family …all at a more cost friendly basis.
For ENSEARCH to provide these highly educated, highly specialized individuals to the hospital, it can literally be a “life-saver”.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am married to my wife, Charlotte, an elementary school teacher and we have three children (including a pair of twins). I like to watch and participate in all types of sports along with enjoying sci-fi/fantasy movies as well as an 80’s nostalgia fanatic. I often say that “If there were a time machine, I would absolutely jump back to the 1980s.”
Eric Shiffmann & Family
With all the pre-COVID busyness, just getting the kids to their martial arts and gymnastics had been challenging. If there’s a silver lining to the current situation, watching our children grow right in front of our eyes on a daily basis has been selfishly wonderful. Evening time, post-dinner family walks and board game nights has certainly been something we have welcomed with our arms wide open.
