Key takeaways
- Credentialing is the new first impression: In a tight talent market, a fast, precise onboarding experience is a strategic advantage.
- Fragmentation is expensive: Disconnected systems and manual work can cost thousands in lost revenue from delays.
- The path forward is modernization: Digital platforms, AI and better verification help, but the biggest wins come from standardization and integration across systems.
Speed and precision in onboarding are more than operational goals; they’re strategic imperatives. With clinician shortages growing and competition for top talent at an all-time high, first impressions during credentialing matter more than ever.
So what does an effective, modern credentialing process actually look like, and where are organizations falling short? It starts with understanding why onboarding matters now more than ever.
Onboarding as a competitive advantage
Credentialing has always been complex, but now it’s also a race against time. Clinicians want to deploy quickly to meet patient needs, and facilities are under pressure to get them in the door. The process must be fast, compliant and seamless. But more than that, it must be human.
Clinicians today want to know where they are in the process, what’s needed from them and who they can turn to when they have questions. Many of them are tech-savvy and appreciate self-service options, but they also value having a real person who understands their journey.
Cost per provider
$8,000
in credentialing inefficiencies
Lost revenue from delays
$50,000
per delayed clinician deployment
Typical credentialing cycle
60–90
days longer in some states
The cost of fragmentation
A fragmented credentialing experience comes at a steep cost — up to $8,000 per provider and as much as $50,000 in lost revenue from delays alone. With credentialing cycles typically spanning 60 to 90 days, and licensing timelines in some states stretching even longer, the financial and operational stakes couldn’t be higher.
Manual work across systems, lack of interoperability and siloed processes all contribute to inefficiencies that impact everyone.
"Clinicians today want to know where they are in the process, what's needed from them and who they can turn to when they have questions."
Emerging trends and opportunities
Innovations like digital credentialing platforms, blockchain for verification and AI-powered automation are opening the door to a smoother process. These opportunities hold promise, but the real opportunity lies in standardization and integration. Imagine a future where systems talk to each other, where data flows seamlessly and where MSOs can focus on building relationships rather than chasing information across fragmented systems.
The path forward
Standardization
Unified processes across systems and organizations
Integration
Systems that talk to each other seamlessly
AI & automation
Reducing manual work and verification delays
Human connection
Real support alongside self-service technology
At LocumTenens.com, we’re committed to being part of a better credentialing process. With our clean data and proactive communication, we help make life easier for both facilities and clinicians, letting them focus on what they do best: patient care.
About the author
Brooke Thompson
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations
Brooke began her career with Jackson Healthcare, LocumTenens.com's parent company, as a college intern in the summer of 2002. In 2004, she was hired by the Customer Care department at LocumTenens.com and swiftly moved up the management ladder. She was promoted to director of the Customer Care division in 2006 and to vice president in 2011 and senior vice president in 2018. As Senior Vice President of Customer Operations, her responsibilities include quality management for the company and oversight of the Customer Care department, CVO, Licensing and Travel. Brooke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management with an operations management specialization from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
