As the preeminent social network for professionals, a LinkedIn profile is a must for anyone working in the medical industry. Your profile essentially serves as an online version of your résumé, plus you gain the additional benefits of networking with others working in healthcare and publishing content with an eye towards becoming a thought leader in your field. However, you still need to follow a certain etiquette when connecting with others on LinkedIn.

With building a robust professional network in mind, here are a few ideas for connection etiquette on LinkedIn. The benefits of online networking for your medical career are immense. Good luck!

When sending a Connection Request — Personalize It!

It’s important to personalize every cover letter you send when looking for a new job. In the same manner, make sure you personalize each connection request on LinkedIn, especially if you don’t know the person. Using the default message is simply poor form!

The same rule applies when asking for a recommendation from one of your connections. Make the effort to personalize it while keeping these requests to those you know.

A Professional Profile Photo is a Must

Having a professional looking profile photo is essentially a requirement on LinkedIn. Don’t bother to send any connection requests — even to your coworkers — until you’ve uploaded a photo.

Regularly Interact with your LinkedIn Network

Your LinkedIn professional network needs to be nurtured to be ultimately successful for your career. Make it a point to like other posts by your connections while including meaningful comments when appropriate. Additionally, be sure to endorse the abilities of those in your network; in most cases they will return the favor.

Don’t hide your Connection List

Some LinkedIn users restrict others from seeing their list of connections. In a sense, this defeats the purpose of being on a professional social network in the first place. Parsing through the connections of others in your network is a great way to find new contacts; allow others the same courtesy by never hiding your connections.

Never Spam your LinkedIn Network

Don’t use LinkedIn as a repository for spammy content. Keep your posts to a minimum of one per day. Sharing personally authored content is great for your LinkedIn wall, but tread lightly when posting this material in a Group.

If you need any further advice for leveraging social networking to help your medical career, talk to the insightful recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top staffing agencies in the healthcare industry, we can help you reach new plateaus. Contact us as soon as possible!

Any business is only as good as its employees, and this time-honored saying definitely holds true in the medical industry. Providing quality patient care and ultimately enjoying success becomes more difficult without a great team at your medical office. Your organization needs to find, hire, and retain the top talent to truly succeed.

Building a winning team in the medical industry takes a plan and some effort. Let’s take a closer look at some ideas to get you started.

Make your Medical Company the Place Everyone wants to Work

Developing a positive and nurturing company culture plays a big role when trying to attract superior talent in the medical industry. Ensure your employees maintain a work/life balance by offering generous time-off and other perks. Reward them with good salaries, tuition reimbursement, and quality insurance.

Publicize your great company culture both online and in print publications. Offer a bonus to your current employees for referrals of great candidates. Sponsor local charity events and encourage your staff to take part. These all play a role in making your company the place to be for medical professionals.

Visit Local Nursing Schools

Finding great talent as their careers are just beginning also is a factor in building a top-notch medical team. Maintain a presence at the nursing schools in your area. You benefit from publicizing your company at the school, while you also gain access to the brightest minds early in their medical career.

The Latest Technology and Interesting Work

Don’t skimp when it comes to giving your staff access to state of the art technology. This helps to ensure you retain your best talent. A good supply of interesting project work focused on improving patient care also contributes to a high rate of retention.

A Partnership with Medical Staffing Agency

Partnering with a top notch local staffing agency in the healthcare industry is another important part of building the best possible team at your office. The best employment agencies maintain a robust supply of quality candidates, so your firm doesn’t get bogged down in a time-consuming hiring process. You are able to focus on providing superior patient care while knowing your employment needs are being handled by industry experts who understand your company’s vision.

When searching for a staffing agency partner, look no further than Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the nation’s leading medical employment agencies, we can help build an all-star medical unit at your office. Meet with us at your earliest convenience and contact our staffing experts today.

Say the word “boss” to a group of people and their minds will conjure up an image of someone they worked for in the past or maybe their present boss. Now say the word “leader” and more often than not, a different image will pop up in their heads; perhaps a world leader or someone who fought for change and progress but not someone who simply barked out orders and punched a clock. These two words will bring up different things for each person but there is usually a distinction and it is usually associated with a positive or negative feeling. If you are a manager, how do you lead your team in a positive way instead of just bossing around your medical staff?

Leaders Lead by Example

A boss is someone who is in charge of a situation or a group of people and they are placed in that position because they are the most qualified or they were at the right place at the right time. The boss is usually perceived as someone who won’t get their hands dirty, that’s why they have employees under them to do all the work. There are exceptions to every situation but bosses are rarely seen as motivating factors in a workplace or even inspirational factors in a person’s life but a leader will make a lasting impression in the lives of those around them.  Bosses can become great leaders and take their organization to the next level by understanding these 3 factors:

1. Leaders aren’t afraid of hard work. They will work tirelessly until the job is done and they are unconcerned with receiving any credit for their work. They are working towards the good of the whole, not just their own well-being.
2. Leaders will build up their team rather than tear them down. Even when a team member is headed in the wrong direction, a good leader can help to redirect them in a more positive way without the other person feeling inferior or singled out. Leaders know how to work with people to bring out their best and strive on a daily basis to edify rather than discourage.
3. Leaders know when to push forward and when to stop. Some projects and some situations will warrant a push, in spite of obvious struggles, while others will require the team to move on to something more productive. This can happen in the healthcare field frequently as laws change and regulations require new adherence and facilities may need to shift their focus or specialty.

Leaders are those who inspire from within their team, not out of fear but because of the respect they have earned from those around them. While a boss can be trained to do their job, a leader has innate qualities that can be developed but rarely taught. Most leaders will have their own source of inspiration that has brought them to their current career path.

Now that the days are longer and the heat of summer can be felt, finding the work-life balance can be even more difficult. After all, there are so many fun activities during the summer and it’s usually the time of year when families can travel to see one another, but if you’re not careful, managing it all can leave you feeling worn out. There are several things you should remember as you punch the clock on a daily basis to avoid that feeling of burn out.

1. There are still only 24 hours in a day. Just because it stays light outside longer, doesn’t mean you have to find more work to do. It’s a common problem among people who are prone to overworking to see the light outside their windows and feel the urge to keep up the fast pace. The time could be late in the evening but because the sun is still shining, they will feel the need to continue working.
2. Take a vacation. It is a great time of year for travel deals and even local attractions offer package deals for residents, so take advantage of your accumulated days off and get-away. Planning ahead for a fun trip can be just the right tool for staying motivated but also being able to scale back while you’re away.
3. Stay away from distractions. It is important to stay focused, even in the summer. You may find yourself more easily distracted as there is usually more going on during these months. Recharge with people you truly care about, not just acquaintances who want to benefit from your relationship. They will suck the life out of you and can be a drain on every aspect of your life.
4. Don’t give up on your routine. Things may happen in the summer that are out of the ordinary; you may have family visiting from out of town or the kids may be home from school during the days but do your best to stay in a routine. This means not neglecting your work-outs, meditation time or other quiet time, or getting into an unhealthy eating pattern. The routine you establish throughout the year carries you on a daily basis and it is helpful during the summer months as well. You may need to modify it slightly but tossing it to the wind will not be helpful to you in the long run.

As summer comes and goes, it is important to stick with your goals and resolutions that you’ve set for the year. It is an easy time to get distracted and either work or play too much and both can be detrimental to your overall success.

Looking to Hire Additional Staff in 2014?
Contact the experienced recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce Corporation for additional information on how a partnership with our team can positively impact yours!

It is not uncommon for potential new hires to undergo a thorough background check and drug screening for any number of jobs from an entry level position to the director of a nationwide company. This ensures the person who is hired is of the highest character and their resume matches their actual qualifications. A thorough background check can cost the company money but in the long run, it will save money and even a possible tarnished reputation, which can be impossible to recover. All of this can be mitigated with the proper vetting of a candidate and should be part of the hiring process for every staff member at your medical facility.

Are Background Checks really Necessary?
In a world where it’s easy to find information on just about anyone for free, is it really necessary to go through the hassle and cost of a formal background check? After all, you had a good feeling about them in the interviews and probably even did a little snooping online and found no major issues. The answer is yes; it is absolutely necessary to perform a formal background check on medical staff. This information can be put in their personnel file and reviewed if necessary. If you hire someone for your team and they are not as proficient as they claim, your facility has just opened itself up to a malpractice suit in the event of a mistake. While mistakes can be made by even the most seasoned medical professionals, it is less likely to have a lasting negative impact if the “mistake-maker” has the proper training and actual credentials, which would make it a human error.

What does a Background Check Accomplish?
In a down economy, candidates may be tempted to exaggerate their abilities in hopes of landing a job and sadly this happens in all job fields. When it happens in the medical world, lives are put at risk. You employ medical staff that you trust have the skills and qualifications they claim to have to complete the team. These team members must be able to pull their weight and perform the tasks they are hired to do so your patients can receive the quality care they deserve. If there is a member of your staff who cannot do the job, it’s not just your facility that is put at risk but also the lives of your patients.  What happens when your team is short-staffed and the new hires are required to work alone or pick up extra shifts and they cannot do the job? By completing a background check, you can know that your team is competent and you can continue to provide top-notch services to your patients. 

Looking to hire in 2014?
Contact the expert healthcare recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce. Let our team of experienced employment specialists assist you in your hiring needs!

As a manager, you want to treat your team members well but you don’t always have the ability to provide monetary incentives. Is there something else you can offer to show your appreciation? What does your team enjoy? You first have to understand what is important to them, as each person will be different but many times there will be a common currency that is not just money.

If you’re looking for some creative ways, here are just a couple unconventional benefits your staff might truly enjoy:

1. Flex schedules.
   This is a growing trend with companies and while it may seem disorganized, it can be a great benefit. Not only does this give them time to complete personal tasks that are important to them but it can allow them to focus while they are at work. For example, if your team members have children in school, they won’t want to miss out on school programs, sports games, or other important events. Would you rather have an employee who leaves early but completes all their work or an employee who is not focused on their work but rather thinking about the missed performance?
2. Break room snacks.
   This used to be a fairly standard benefit for employees but some companies did away with free waters, coffees, and snacks to help reduce costs. Not only does it hurt the health of the staff but the camaraderie that was built in the break room is now non-existent. Your team will benefit from staying hydrated, having healthy snacks, and even just getting up to walk around. Friendships and team building is cultivated in the casual conversations in the break room, hallways, and downtime throughout the day.
3. Company catered lunches.
   This doesn’t have to happen daily but once or twice a month, providing lunch to your employees can be a huge morale booster. Even if they don’t like the food, the effort put into it will not be lost on them.
4. Personal days.
   Do you have certain teams that have worked long hours to complete a project? Why not offer them an afternoon off? Let them take off early on a Friday after lunch. Not only can they relax earlier in the day but they may be able to spend time with their families, and that will help to keep them grounded during the busy weeks.

Make sure you know your team before requesting they participate in any type of benefit you design for them. They may not respond well and it will be seen as a negative aspect of work rather than as the positive action you intended. As a manager or business owner, you have the ability to improve the lives of your staff, without dipping too far into the company budget. Taking the time to demonstrate your appreciation will go far with your staff.

Have additional questions? Pinnacle Workforce expands on our mission to provide affordable staffing solutions, bringing proven experience and a reputation for excellence to the unique needs of the healthcare industry. Contact us today to learn how a partnership with our team can positively impact yours!

Due to the nature of this politically charged government bill, it can be hard to determine what the truth is and what is propaganda put out there with an ulterior motive. In order to fully understand this new healthcare law and how it affects you, it is important to realize the facts of this new health care plan. You can then form an educated opinion about Obamacare and its impact on your life.

The Foundation
The Affordable Care Act, ACA, or Obamacare are all the same thing and it is part of the reform signed into action by President Obama in 2010 designed to provide quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. The ACA has a goal to expand the private and public sectors of health insurance so more people can afford it without having to sacrifice on the quality of the program. Here are some quick facts about this new healthcare reform meant to educate and inform:

• Obamacare does not replace private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid
• It regulates health insurance, not the care you will receive.
• All insurers are required to cover those with pre-existing conditions.
• Insurance companies can no longer drop you when you get sick or make an honest mistake on your applications.
• The insurance companies can no longer hike up your rates and they must do away with life-time and annual limits.
• There are ten essential health benefits that must be included on all non-grandfathered plans with no annual or lifetime dollar limits: outpatient care, emergency room care, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and addiction treatment, prescription drugs, rehab services and devices, laboratory services, preventative and chronic disease treatment, pediatric services.
• Immunizations, yearly checkups, counseling, and screenings are all included in the free preventative care that must be included on all non-grandfathered plans.
• Most Americans will have to obtain healthcare coverage, get an exemption or pay a monthly fee/penalty if they do not have the appropriate insurance.
• The ACA reduces the growth in healthcare spending that is currently the standard.

If you still have questions about this new healthcare law, you should search the internet or talk to a health care insurance professional to learn the facts. When you have the facts and knowledge about how the mandates will affect you, you can make educated decisions about your own healthcare or that of your company. From large corporations to the small corner business, the ACA has different requirements and unless you know what they are, you may feel overwhelmed and panicked. The staff at Pinnacle Workforce is here to help you with your concerns about the ACA and how it will affect your employment, your team, or even your ability to hire new team members.

Without a competent staff, your business would likely cease to exist. It’s no secret that a strong company starts with the leadership and how they inspire their teams but how do you do this in your everyday work habits? Your company may not have the funding to offer lavish parties, catered lunches, or even new computers but there are many ways to boost employee morale without overspending. The fact that you are reading this article speaks volumes about your good-heart and desire to improve the lives of those in your organization.

Here are 5 simple steps you can implement today and watch your employees respond in a positive way, without having to change the budget:

1. Take time to celebrate accomplishments.
   Being acknowledged at work is one of the keys to boosting employee morale. When hard work is recognized such a new client gained or a successful pitch was made, your team should know how much it is appreciated. You can go for a big celebration or a quick email sent to the entire company will be sufficient for most people. No one wants to work hard and be ignored.
2. Allow flexible scheduling for your team to attend family activities.
   There is nothing worse for families on your team to know they are missing out on a school play, first dance, or championship soccer game because they have to work. You know your team and they would work over the weekend or late into the night to make up the time and work, so why not let give them the flex-time to attend this once in a lifetime event for their family?
3. Have fun.
   Yes, have fun at work. You don’t need to install game tables, lounge chairs, or a theater room but consider inviting a food truck to sit in the parking lot. Have employees dress up for the holiday of their choice. Create competitions for work incentives with prizes. Rent a popcorn machine to put in the office for a day. Give out candy from a local shop. Offer cookies or treats for no reason.
4. Think of team building activities.
   Contrary to once popular belief ,your employees won’t enjoy a day at the local obstacle course, especially on the weekends when they’d rather be home. Team building doesn’t have to involve physical activity but can be something as easy as a food or toy drive, volunteering, or sales incentives, anything that involves working for a common goal.
5. Lead by example and influence your staff.
   Staying positive during the day will inspire your team to do the same. If you walk around with a bad attitude and upset with every small problem, that negativity will permeate throughout the entire company. It starts at the top.

As a leader, you have the responsibility to ensure the staff at your facility has the tools they need to perform their jobs but you are also the key component to their morale. Without a positive work environment, your team will stop caring and your business will suffer. You care your staff and your business and improving their morale, you can be a strong leader for both.

Nursing isn’t the first profession you think of as one that allows for travel. When you think of nursing, you probably think about being in a medical facility all day; while you may have flexible schedule, it’s not exactly one that provides freedom outside of the center. If you want to travel and enjoy caring for patients in their home or other facilities, it may be time to consider a career change; traveling nurses can not only deliver excellent care but will have the opportunity to see the city or state in which they live. Because traveling nurses are necessary to their patients, the demand is high and the salaries are one of the perks of this career.

Reasons Nurses Travel
Nurses are adept at making choices on a daily basis, choices such as how to deal with emergencies, how to work with difficult patients, and even how to break bad news to families. A nurse may not always have the ability to change their pay, once they decide to practice in a certain health facility but what if you did? Would you choose location over pay, freedom over steady salary? What if you didn’t have to? What if you could live in your dream location and also be paid for your skills? This is one of the reasons nurses are jumping into the opportunity of becoming a traveling nurse.

Adventure ranks as the top reason to start a career in travel nursing as 38% of those surveyed stated that was their main reason for deciding to work in this capacity. Money was the second choice at 28%. Many of the jobs taken are based on contract opportunities and it is usually a high demand, high need area. The incentives are there for the travel nursing professionals and many take advantage of it in hopes of looking for an exciting change, more money, and the chance to work with others who need their expertise.

A Career Outside of the Box
As a nurse, you may feel that you miss out on seeing your family or friends over the holidays but for a traveling nurse, you could take a special assignment to be near your family around certain times of the year. By embarking on a career that takes you outside of buildings, affiliated centers, 25% of travel nurses were able to take on a contract to be near their family. In many situations, the job includes room and board; in fact, a travel nursing job can include an hourly rate, housing and travel expenses, and even tax benefits. What are you waiting for? Not only can you take on a stimulating job change but increase your salary and skills by learning from others in your field that may be in a different area of the country or world.

If you are looking for a career in travel nursing, contact Pinnacle Workforce today. We have a wide variety of options for your nursing career, as well as opportunities for you to try this career change.

Staffing companies are able to procure some of the best talent on the market today. Whether it is for trade jobs, management positions, technical contracts, or even healthcare facilities, employment agencies work to continuously produce results for their clients. Are some agencies more adept at finding certain types of candidates or are they all the same?

Specific Industry Related Experience
There is a big difference between candidates for a tech company and those for a hospital or medical facility. While both require specific training and skills, one candidate will be a stronger match for that position than another. An employment organization will be in greater demand if they specialize in a specific market such as tech or healthcare for the following reasons:

1. The recruiters will know the right keywords to listen for in an interview to save time and money for the client. The can place the right candidate based on their own knowledge and their history of working in that field. When talking to a candidate in the beginning stages, an industry recruiter can gage right from the start if they know what they are talking about and actually have the abilities required.
2. They will have a larger network from which to draw specific talent. In the healthcare field, they can pull the exact talent from their network such as a traveling nurse, pediatric office assistant, or a medical coder. Healthcare jobs require a unique skill set and when your agency finds candidates to match the skills, they can be placed within a new position. These healthcare professionals usually have friends and acquaintances in their network with similar skills that can be a referral at a later date.
3. The agency will have an excessive screened candidate pool. Because healthcare is a crucial part of society, candidates can’t be just any person off the street, they must be thoroughly screened in order ensure they hold the skills, experience, and reliability demanded by the healthcare clients.

Choosing the Right Employment Organization
The right team member can make or break your facility. If you blindly find potential candidates, the results could ruin your team. Utilize the services of an employment agency that specializes in healthcare placement and get the talent you need, when you need it. Your facility will need replacements on a regular basis and the right staffing agency can give you the talent you need on short notice.

If you are unsure about the risks of hiring a candidate from an agency, rest assured that Pinnacle Workforce offers a carefully screened candidate, backed by a 90 day guarantee so your candidate choices can be made with confidence. The innovative healthcare staffing options provided by Pinnacle Workforce can keep your facility, large or small, running smoothly. Have additional questions? Contact us today to see how a partnership with Pinnacle Workforce can benefit your organization.