Preparing for a wave of newly insured patients thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a new report shows that 31 percent of health facilities are ready to increase their medical staffing.
Staff Care, a subsidiary of healthcare staffing company AMN Healthcare, conducted a survey that polled 230 managers of hospitals and medical practices in the U.S.
Over 16 percent said they plan to hire more nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Additionally, more than 7 percent said they would increase their temporary physician staffing to keep up with growing demand and an aging population. The demand for locum tenens physicians rose from 73% in 2012 to nearly 90% in 2013, showing a significant increase in temporary physician staffing. Demand is also quickly rising for locum tenens nurse practitioners and PA’s.
Data shows that healthcare facilities are moving away from traditional private practice models toward locum tenens staffing to maintain high quality patient care in spite of staffing shortages and increasing demand. This survey is one of many to highlight increasing employment opportunities for healthcare professionals and temporary healthcare staffing companies alike.