Are you a healthcare professional or facility seeking a healthcare staffing agency near me? Below are four key considerations for choosing the best local agency to serve your needs.

1) Figure Out Your Requirements

Why do you need the services of a healthcare staffing agency?

If you are a job seeker, are you seeking a permanent or temporary position? Perhaps you would be comfortable with a travel assignment where you visit multiple locations to perform your work. If you represent a healthcare facility, which job positions do you need to fill? Perhaps you need medical assistants, registered nurses, family doctors, cardiologists, or other professionals.

These are the kinds of questions you need to answer for yourself before seeking a healthcare staffing agency.

2) Reputation and Credentials

Some healthcare staffing agencies advertised might not be legitimate because they lack the proper qualifications. You must choose a healthcare staffing agency with an excellent reputation and the appropriate credentials.

For instance, the agency must have a vast track record of successfully connecting healthcare facilities with professionals. You can verify this by checking out the reviews and testimonials left for staffing agencies online. They will tell you all you need to know about their reputations.

As for credentials, the ideal staffing agency will hold an accreditation from a recognized organization. Some examples of such organizations include the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations and the American Staffing Association.

3) Comprehensive Background Screening

A genuinely professional staffing agency will conduct comprehensive background screening on the healthcare facilities and professionals who sign up with it. This background screening will ensure they hold the proper education, licenses, experience, and other credentials indicated on their applications.

If you find an agency that doesn’t perform screenings, stay away. Only choose agencies that perform rigorous screenings to ensure the quality of their healthcare partners. Then, you won’t be surprised later by any misrepresentation of their credentials.

4) Wide Range of Staffing Solutions

Some healthcare staffing agencies limit themselves to a few job placement categories. On the other hand, you probably prefer a healthcare staffing agency with a broader range of staffing solutions to give more options to facilities and professionals.

For instance, an agency offering allied healthcare jobs, travel nursing jobs, and per diem nursing jobs will create excellent opportunities for facilities and professionals. You’re more likely to have your recruitment needs met with an agency offering this kind of range.

Contact a Qualified Agency Today

You don’t need to look far to find a qualified and dependable healthcare staffing agency. ICAN Staffing Agency can fulfill all your healthcare recruitment or employment needs. Contact ICAN at (512) 910-5233 for more information.

The post Staffing Agencies for Healthcare Professionals: 4 Key Things to Look For appeared first on Find Your Next Healthcare Job with ICAN Staffing Agency.

At iCAN Staffing Agency, we provide insights into local assisted living facility job opportunities. We do this based on your credentials and previous working history. We can help connect you with local opportunities sure to offer quality pay and benefits.

What Makes Assisted Living Facility Jobs Unique?

Working at an assisted living facility means getting up close and personal with many patients. Instead of the quickfire nature of an emergency room or deep trauma situations of a hospital, you are given the chance to develop rewarding relationships.

Working in these locations opens up the door to being more than a caregiver. You are a part of these residents daily life. They will get to know you, celebrating birthdays and events in the news together.

You’ll focus on more holistic care while working in assisted living facility jobs. Medical support is certainly the focus, but you’ll also find yourself providing some emotional, mental, and social assistance. The well-rounded approach to care provides learning opportunities and deeper patient connections.

Common Roles in Assisted Living Facilities

Most assisted living facilities cover a wide range of career opportunities. It all depends on what your local facility offers for patient care. While one may focus more on social engagement, another may stick to patients requiring more in-depth care.

Some of the more common positions will be in:

Certified Nursing Assistant helping with daily life activities to make the residents feel supported and monitoring basic health indicators.

Licensed Practical Nurse that administers medications, manages wounds, and monitors chronic conditions.

Activities Director who helps residents stay engaged with the world. They often blend holidays and special events with physical and mental health activities.

Food Service and Housekeeping Staff ensure all the facility is well managed. They keep the facility clean so the comfort of residents is ensured in a safe and healthy environment.

Your state will often have some variance on what position fulfills what roles. Through iCAN Staffing Agency, you are able to meet the specific requirement for the job that suits you. We do the work for you to find out the specific requirements and licensing arrangements for each facility.

Start Your Search with Us

Opening your career development to assisted living facility jobs is a wonderful way to earn a solid living. You also receive benefits for your family, and thrive with a schedule that best fits your daily life. At iCAN Staffing Agency, we work closely with you. We assist you to find a rewarding job opportunities near your current location or within your acceptable commuting radius.

Start today by reaching out to our professional team. We want to help you find a lucrative new career, and unlock opportunities you would never find without our in-depth knowledge and long experience in the industry.

The post Exploring Assisted Living Facility Job Opportunities appeared first on Find Your Next Healthcare Job with ICAN Staffing Agency.

Are you familiar with Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of proper antimicrobial use? Perhaps you’ve found yourself uneasy about being prescribed antimicrobials for various infections. Or maybe you’ve encountered the challenge of recommending medications without a comprehensive understanding. In the spirit of raising awareness, iCAN Staffing Agency is joining forces with health organizations to shed light on antimicrobial resistance and emphasize the significance of responsible usage. This global initiative takes place annually from November 18th to 24th and was formerly known as “World Antibiotic Awareness Week” before incorporating all antimicrobials since 2020.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve over time, rendering medicines less effective and making infections more challenging to treat. This phenomenon increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and even death. The repercussions of drug resistance lead to the ineffectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines.

Causes of AMR:

The primary driver of Antimicrobial Resistance is Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO or MDR). Examples include ESBL (extended spectrum beta lactamase), MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), and VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus), familiar terms for those in healthcare. These organisms, resistant to at least one or two classes of antimicrobials, develop gradually due to factors like inappropriate antimicrobial use, insufficient infection control, and a lack of disease prevention in healthcare settings. Other contributors include poor knowledge of antimicrobial uses and practices.

Limiting Antimicrobial Resistance:

While it’s challenging to prevent AMR entirely due to microbial adaptability, we can mitigate its impact. Limiting antimicrobial resistance involves avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use, strictly adhering to prescribed antimicrobials, refraining from using leftover medications, and maintaining overall health, diet, and hygiene, which are similar to how you would boost your immune system. Responsible practices, such as discussing symptoms thoroughly with healthcare providers, are crucial in this effort.

Conclusion:

Individuals can play a significant role in limiting Antimicrobial Resistance by actively engaging in discussions about symptoms with healthcare providers. For providers, prescribing the right antimicrobial for the right reasons, adhering to infection control measures, and reporting Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms are essential steps. To learn more about supporting Antimicrobial/Antibiotic Awareness Week, visit CDC.gov and WHO for additional information and resources. Let’s collectively address this global health concern and work towards a future with effective antimicrobial treatments.

The post Raising Antimicrobial Awareness: A Call to Action appeared first on Find Your Next Healthcare Job with ICAN Staffing Agency.

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that collaborate to defend your body against infections and diseases. Its primary function is to identify and neutralize foreign substances that could harm your body, while also recognizing and destroying abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.

IMMUNE SYSTEM MYTHS:

• Vitamin C Megadoses Prevent Colds: While important for immune function, excessive vitamin C megadoses don’t necessarily prevent colds or illnesses; the recommended daily amount from a balanced diet is usually enough.
• “Boosting” the Immune System Instantly: There’s no instant “boost” button. It functions optimally when supported consistently through a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.
• Only Supplements Can Strengthen Immunity: While supplements can be beneficial in cases of deficiency, relying solely on supplements without a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle won’t provide the same comprehensive immune support that natural nutrients from foods can offer.

Why is the Immune system important?

The immune system is crucial for maintaining the body’s overall health and well-being. Its protective functions help prevent infections, diseases, and potential harm from various threats.

A strong immune system ensures that the body can effectively respond to challenges, recover from illnesses, and maintain a state of balance known as homeostasis. Without a functional immune system, the body would be highly susceptible to infections and diseases, leading to serious health complications and reduced quality of life.

How the Immune System works

When a harmful invader enters your body, your immune system goes into action. It relies on white blood cells, antibodies, and other specialized cells to identify and attack these invaders. Once the immune system has encountered a particular threat, it “remembers” it, allowing for a faster and more efficient response in case of future exposure.

What does it protect against?

The immune system is known to protect against:

• Bacteria
• Pathogens
• Viruses
• Cancer cells
• Allergens
• Auto-immune reactions
• Toxins

Strategies to improve your Immune System

There is no extraordinary “healthy pill,” but there are tried-and-true methods to boost your immunity. Below are some of our recommendations.

Long-term strategies

• Eat Well
• Reduce Alcohol
• Enough Sleep
• Get Physically Active
• Drink Water
• Great Hygiene

Focus on a healthy, balanced diet.

A balanced and nutrient-rich diet is essential. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune health.

Probiotics, living bacteria, and yeasts that are excellent for your stomach and digestive system, are included in some of the finest meals to increase immunity.

Try regularly including ginger and garlic in your meals for an added immune boost. Garlic has been demonstrated to have the ability to kill bacteria and viruses, and ginger is an anti-inflammatory.

Moderate intake of alcohol

Your immune system is weakened by excessive alcohol and is less capable of preventing illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes excessive alcohol as eight or more drinks a week for women, and 15 or more drinks a week for men.

According to Mayo Clinic, unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.

Get enough sleep

For the health of your body and brain, sleep is crucial. Your normal immune cells decrease and your inflammatory immune cells increase when you don’t get enough sleep. Adults should attempt to sleep for seven to eight hours per day. Teenagers and children require more sleep.

Exercise

A strong immune system is aided by exercise. It encourages healthy blood flow, which makes your it more effective at what it does. Following the physical activity recommendations for your age provides immediate and long–term benefits. 

Get plenty of water

Water is essential for cell function and for the body’s digestion and waste removal processes. After hours of sleep, your body becomes dehydrated, so as soon as you wake up, take a glass of water. If you have trouble getting enough water in your system, set reminders for various times during the day or sip some water before each meal.

Hygiene and health practices

Proper hygiene, such as regular hand washing, helps prevent the spread of infections. Additionally, avoiding tobacco and maintaining a healthy weight can contribute to a stronger immune system.

In Summary,

Your immune system is your body’s natural defense mechanism, and taking steps to strengthen it can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. Remember that small, consistent changes can have a significant impact on your immune system’s ability to keep you healthy and resilient.

The post Strategies to Strengthen Your Immune System appeared first on Find Your Next Healthcare Job with ICAN Staffing Agency.