International Healthcare Recruitment

A Positive, Long Term Staffing Solution

Due to a population growth resulting in a growing need for health care services, a diminished pipeline of new students in nursing and an aging nursing workforce, the US is facing a very serious nursing shortage. It is estimated that by 2020, there will be at least 400,000 fewer nurses available to provide care than will be needed. This comes at a time when the need for patient care is higher, care is more complex and demand for service often exceeds capacity. At the same time, allied health fields are expecting to see a large increase in the number of available positions in the coming years. This again is due to the growth in the American population and with that the healthcare needs of its citizens. The medical technologist field is expected to grow by 30% in the coming years and with a projected 60,000 new Physical Therapist jobs to open up in the US within the next decade, it’s clear to see that there is a serious need for skilled healthcare professionals in the US. Conexus Medstaff advocate the employment of internationally trained nurse, as well as other healthcare workers in the US, to overcome the growing healthcare needs of the United States and to provide a solution to the critical nursing shortage in the US. We believe that the employment of international nurses in the US can alleviate the current day stresses US hospitals and long term care facilities face as they strive to uphold patient care. We believe that hiring internationally trained nurses goes much further than resolving the nursing shortage in the USA. The benefits of hiring international nurses are numerous. Bringing diversity into your workforce In a survey conducted by Glassdoor, two thirds of people consider diversity important in the workplace. The same survey also found that diversity was known to produce an increase in productivity in the professional environment. From our countless years of experience working with international healthcare workers, Conexus believes that diversity plays a key role in a healthcare setting. Diversity in healthcare is important, as it has a direct impact on care delivery. International healthcare workers are able to represent various populations. Foreign nurses bring with them an understanding of diverse backgrounds and cultures. This is advantageous, as it allows better patient-centred care for multicultural patients and for patients in general. A cost-effective workforce solution Conexus offers a reliable and highly educated workforce of international nurses and healthcare workers, providing a cost-effective alternative to short term staffing solutions like travel nurses or locum assignments. Conexus Medstaff estimates that our clients can save up to $30 per hour more by using International nurses compared to using travel nurses to fulfil recruitment needs. Beyond this, staffing turnover and nurses leaving the workforce have become a significant problem for hospitals today. Not only does this contribute to the nursing shortage, but it also brings with it economic and financial issues that can have an impact on a hospitals profit margin. According to the 2016 National Healthcare Retention and RN Staffing Report, the average cost of turnover a nurse ranges from $37,700 to $58,400. Hospitals can lose $5.2 million to $8.1 million annually. Our international nurses travel to the USA with realistic expectations and are ready to work full-time in hospitals and long term care facilities, in larger towns or hard-to-staff rural locations. The Conexus model of matching our international nurses to facilities and units that they are passionate about, help them perform at the highest level and contribute to their happiness and promote a positive work ethic. The stability of our international workforce brings with it a much lower turnover risk than other traditional workforces. Full-Cycle Support Conexus Medstaff consists of a team of qualified staff with a combined experience working in the international healthcare recruitment industry, the legal and Immigration sectors, as well as clinically trained staff who have worked in health organizations across the world, including the NHS. This combined experience, along with adhering to JACHO standards, makes us experts at what we do. We handle the recruitment process, visa application and emigration journey of all of our candidates, from day one, meaning you don’t need to worry about a thing. We pay for all related costs upfront, and our healthcare candidates will only become chargeable upon the commencement of their assignment – on top of this, there is no transfer fee upon completion of our candidate’s 5,000 hour contract with you. Using a state of the art, and award winning immigration case management system, LawLogix, our Immigration team can guarantee an efficient immigration process for all of our candidates meaning we can ensure our international healthcare professionals are ready to start work when you need them. Our bespoke training program prepares our candidates for their first assignment in the US, ensuring that their transition runs as smoothly as possible. Using the Conexus Medstaff Model, we match our candidates – professionally and personally - to their new community in the United States, as well as ensuring that we only place our candidates in hospitals, long-term care facilities or units where they will perform to their best of their abilities. And unlike a Vendor Management System (VMS), the Conexus Medstaff team are embedded in local communities to understand what’s important to clients as well as candidates. Conexus Medstaff can provide your healthcare organization with international RNs, PTs, OTs and MTs trained outside of the US. Additionally, we can supply international graduates who have recently graduated from American universities, injecting new talent into your workforce. We offer flexible, scalable and cost-effective solutions that reduce risk for your business. Request more information from us to find out more about our long term staffing solutions.

25 Insightful Job Interview Tips for Nurses (UPDATED)

Nurse job interviews are nerve-wracking, whether they take place in the US or in your home country. In the past, you’ve probably wanted a full checklist of the Do’s and Don’ts for an interview heading into that meeting. The experts at Conexus Medstaff are here to help. We’ve developed the below tips to help you communicate your confidence, enthusiasm and intelligence during your telephone interview. This is your time to shine, so make the most of it! Follow our 25 simple tips for the entire nursing job interview process. You'll be able to ace your initial phone interview, come across professionally in your face-to-face interview, and get your US RN adventure off the ground. PRE-CALL: Failing to prepare = preparing to fail! This old line by a famed basketball coach holds true in everyday life. If you fail to prepare for your job interview, you have - effectively - fully prepared...to fail the interview. To avoid that fate, you need to know what to practice. Here are some things to go over as you prepare for your interview: 1. Know who you are and how you got where you are. Know your resúme inside out. Be able to recount your big accomplishments. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. 2. Know what you want to do next. Think about your goals and ambitions. 3. Understand the role you are being interviewed for. Be familiar with the job description. Then, accurately (but without embellishing) align your skills and experience to the role. 4. Research and learn as much as you can about the organisation. Read their own website and perform general internet searches. Does it have a mission statement? What are the company values? 5. Prepare some answers to common interview questions. 6. Write down all of your ideas to the above points. Use what works best for you – paragraphs in full sentences, lists of keywords, diagrams, etc. 7. Practice answering questions verbally. Here’s a good exercise to do this: Role play with another person playing the interviewer. Practice speaking your answers out loud while alone. 8. Think about the speed of your speech and your breathing. 9. Try to limit unnecessary words or sounds such as “like” and “erm.” 10. Practice smiling in a mirror while you answer your questions verbally. Remember: If you smile, it comes through in your voice. Your interviewer will see it, feel it and hear it! CALL DAY: How to Conduct Yourself 11. Eliminate distractions Sit in a quiet room without distractions or interruptions. Where necessary, keep others (pets, children) occupied. If possible, use a landline with a good connection. 12. Have a glass of water nearby Sometimes your throat gets dry. Having a glass at the ready helps you communicate clearly as possible. 13. Don’t forget your mirror! If you've practiced in front of a mirror already, you can watch yourself during a phone interview to make sure you’re hitting all of the key points, like smiling. 14. Have a copy of your resume near you during the interview. If your mind goes blank on dates, it's alright. Above all, don't dwell on this: you can offer to check on the dates. FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW: Your Conduct So you’ve passed the phone interview! Wonderful. Now the interviewer (and some other people affected by your role) want to meet you in person. Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you come across well throughout the entirety of the interview. 15. Speak clearly and breathe calmly. 16. If you do not understand a question, kindly ask the interviewer to repeat the question. 17. Just in case you forgot: Smile! 18. Project confidence in your voice. Speak with enthusiasm and energy to engage the interviewer. Be positive and avoid negativity. Answer questions succinctly and do not ramble. FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW: Have a Discussion Manners count for a lot with any conversation, and it’s especially true with a nursing job interview. It’s first impression time, and there will As for what you talk about, here are some thoughts about the things that might come up in the course of the interview. 19. Focus fully on the question or conversation. Do not begin your response until the other person has finished or you may respond inappropriately. 20. Sell yourself to the organisation. Tell them why you would fit well with their values. Tell them what skills and experience you have to fulfil the job description. Tell them about your ambitions. 21. Choose your words clearly and professionally. Do not use slang words. Try not to use filler words or sounds such as “like” or “um.” Short silences are not always bad – it can show you are thinking about your answer. Be conscious to speak the language of your profession, which often transcends any global vs US English barriers. This will help you come across as a professional who understands the field of nursing and the vocabulary that is often associated with the profession. 22. Give specific examples when asked about your experiences. This helps the interviewer gain a deeper understanding of your skills and abilities. When recounting experiences or accomplishments, never identify patients or family members by name or any other identifiable information. 23. Never speak badly of a former employer or former colleagues. 24. Ask the interviewer questions. This is an often forgotten aspect of the job interview: you need to interview them as well. You are also seeing if you want the job on offer. You want to know that it will be a good fit for you. Some well-researched questions for the interview is another chance to show your research, industry and competency in nursing. 25. Do not ask about the job package at this stage That means questions about, salary, benefits or paid time off is off limits. This is something that should be discussed ONLY if you receive an offer of employment. BONUS TIP: Conclude the interview in a positive manner. If you are interested in the role, reiterate your interest and tell them why you think you would fit well within the organisation. Thank the interviewers for their time and interest in your application. Good luck and we'll see you in America!