In theory, the concept of a governing body in temporary healthcare staffing appears to be a great idea. It’s undeniable that business and healthcare run hand in hand, but they should never get in the way of each other. Industry-wide guidelines around best practices and ethics could help avoid disputes and other conflicts in business that would significantly affect patient care.

With these possibilities in mind, we investigated the decision makers within the organization to ensure the people making the policies best reflected those they potentially impact. We looked at 3 key factors regarding the make up the NALTO Board of Directors: Demographic, Nomination, and Credentials.

The Board of Directors is made up of 11 individuals from locum tenens staffing companies. This begs the questions,

Why aren’t physicians, advance practice providers, and healthcare organizations represented?

Do these policies and decisions not affect them more than anyone else?

Furthermore, only 2 of 11 board members are in a role outside of day-to-day revenue generating activities, 1 corporate training specialist and 1 risk manager. The final observation is potentially the most worrisome. Every member of the NALTO board has crossed paths with at least two other current members of the board while working at the same company. Taking these observations into consideration, one must wonder,

Are the relationships of board members too close to allow subjectivity in decision making?

This lack of background diversity could be coincidence. It’s possible the most qualified people in the industry all have the same roots. The nomination process should shed more light on this.

Nomination was equally alarming as no official policy was published on how their board members are elected, if elected, to their positions. When looking at the history of the organization, it appears to be nothing more than a chronological ladder. For example, each new fiscal year the Treasurer becomes the VP, the VP becomes the President, and so on. Those within, or effected by, the locum industry must ask,

Is this method of allocating power producing the best possible result for the industry as a whole?

The analysis thus far leads any logical mind to cast doubt upon the practices of NALTO. However. It’s difficult to establish a governing body in any sector, and process never starts with perfection.

In the end, it all comes down to credentials. Regardless of inefficiencies in the process, the progress is in the results. Evaluation starts at the top. Credentials to govern “professional conduct” and “ethics” were considered.

Welp... this is alarming.

A laundry list of alleged misconduct and borderline corruptive acts fill center stage. Most significant among these incidents, a recording of the empowered member, obtained by high level law enforcement, discussing how to hack into a past employer’s CRM. In addition, tactics are discussed as to utilizing the illegally obtained information and eluding legal implications.

We’d keep going, but it’s clear we need to act. We need physicians and healthcare organizations to do the same. We invite you to join us in redefining the industry by rewriting its policies. Take action and let us know you'd like to be involved below.

Stay tuned for important meeting dates.