As a healthcare provider, you already know about the importance of credentialing and privileging, two critical aspects that ensure high-quality service and patient safety, but do you really know how each differs in its definition, purpose, and application process?

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The Physician Credentialing Process: Step One

Let’s face it, you worked hard to become a physician, so credentialing — the complex process of assessing and confirming the qualifications of the healthcare practitioner — is an important part of your ability to bring quality services to patients. The term simply refers to the verification and documentation process that confirms you, as a medical practitioner, have the specialized qualifications, background, and “credentials” necessary for membership (or a position) in a specific healthcare organization.

The process includes the confirmation of professional and academic degrees, clinical training, licensures, residency or training certificates, continuing education credits and more, and is used to assess a candidate’s qualifications to determine whether state and/or federal boards have confirmed that the applicant meets the standards of practice and rules and regulations set forth for medical staff by each institution.

Typical Documentation Required for Credentialing Include:

• Proof of Identification
• Proof of Education, Training, and Certification
• Proof of Current DEA Licensure
• Military Service
• Work Experience
• Proof of Current Medical Licensure
• Board Certifications
• Hospital Affiliations
• Letters of Reference
• Health Status
• Malpractice Insurance and Claims History
• Criminal Background Information
• Sanctions Disclosures

Physician Credentialing & Privileging: A Complex And Timely Process

Credentialing can be a very complex and time-consuming process as there is no currently centralized process in place. This means you must create submissions to each entity and must be aware of the necessity of thorough recordkeeping to ensure that all information is completed, documented, and error-free.

Physician Credentialing, Step Two: Applying For Privileges

When credentialing has been completed, it’s time to apply for privileges, the process whereby the applicant is granted the authorization to provide a specific service, procedure, or treat a certain condition at a specified healthcare facility.

Privileging typically falls into three primary categories, including:

• Admitting Privilege — Allows a doctor to admit a patient to the hospital
• Courtesy Privilege — Allows physicians to occasionally treat or admit at the hospital
• Surgical Privilege — Allows the physician to perform outpatient or operating room surgeries

This important step in the physician credentialing process ensures the healthcare facility that the applicant has the skills, experience, and competencies necessary for the clinical services they plan to provide. When privileging is approved, it signifies that the practitioner is sanctioned to conduct specific services at that facility. For instance, a doctor in private practice may apply for hospital privileges where he/she seeks to perform surgeries, and may even choose to obtain privileges at more than one hospital to comply with requirements set forth by medical insurance providers.

In addition, hospitals and other medical facilities must do their part by answering to regulatory entities such as The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to ensure that physicians are appropriately privileged at their facility.

Again, Record-Keeping Is A Must!

Similar to credentialing, the privileging process can be complex and detailed. A physician must demonstrate competency, education, residency, fellowships, insurance, licensure, practical experience, and more — and be prepared to undergo in-depth interviews with a credentialing committee, a medical executive committee, and a board of directors — all integral parts of the investigation process.

Physician Credentialing & Privileging: Key Takeaways

Credentialing and privileging are formal, documented procedures that require adherence to each institution’s, state’s, and specialty’s specific rules and regulations for granting admission and clinical privileges. That said, they are an essential part of providing patients with the highest possible standards and levels of care.

AMN Healthcare Is Here For You

AMN Healthcare offers significant support to physicians during both the credentialing and privileging processes, including full logistical support during assignments in addition to travel and accommodation assistance. Contact us today from the form on the right of this page to start your locum tenens journey.

At AMN Healthcare, in our Credentialing Operations Department, we have teams of Credentialing Analysts and Licensing Coordinators to work with you to get you ready for your next assignment. We have a team dedicated to, and passionate about, both the quality of the service we provide as well as your (the provider) experience.”

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Additional Locum Tenens Resources

While you continue your physician job search for the perfect position, AMN Healthcare provides great resources to keep your career moving in the right direction. Begin the application process now, and then learn more about how AMN Healthcare can help you keep your career on the move.

• EAP: Our locum tenens gain access to a valuable set of Employee Assistance Program benefits.
• Physician Jobs by Specialty: Explore physician jobs and learn about hourly salaries and the benefits of working locum tenens.
• Search All Physician Jobs: Uncover new possibilities in your physician career by exploring both short and long-term options and permanent choices. 
• Candidate Benefits: AMN Healthcare takes care of our locum tenens with a variety of amazing benefits. Check out what's in store for our locums. 
• Physician Licensing: Check out how we help move your career in amazing directions, both professionally and geographically. 
• More Physician Resources: Use the content here to learn everything you need to know about our physician recruitment process.