The Ultimate Checklist For Providers In Telehealth

Looking to practice telehealth but unsure where to begin? You’re in luck! We know it can be hard transitioning into a new healthcare setting you aren’t familiar with. So, we put together a 6-step checklist to get started and thriving in delivering virtual patient visits.

The checklist

Step 1: Update your resume

Updating your resume is the first step to begin practicing telehealth as a medical professional. This can seem like a chore, which it will take some time, but it is an important step to stand out among other candidates vying for the same positions. Don’t worry, we have good news! We put together some basic steps for you to follow when building an unbeatable resume:

• Use a proven telehealth resume layout

  The order of your resume can depend on the employer. Some employers have different preferences but it’s not something that will make or break your application. Although it won’t be the end all be all for your application, our expert Clinician Advocates have some recommendations based on the telehealth companies we work with. They recommend you order your resume in the following fashion:

  • Resume Summary

  • Experience

  • Publications

  • Education

  • Licensure

  • Skills

• Keep the formatting simple

  In healthcare, the simpler the better. There is no need to make your resume colorful or have any fancy design elements throughout. Keeping it straightforward, basic, and easy-to-skim is the way to go when applying for telemedicine jobs. Some tips and tricks to follow when formatting your resume include:

  • Use an easy-to-read font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman

  • Use a 10-12 size font

  • Use single or 1.15 spacing

• Double-check your resume

  Before you submit your application to any recruiter or employer, it is important to always proofread one more time for any errors. Don’t let your application get tossed in the rejected pile because of tiny mistakes that could’ve been fixed with another once over!

We put together more tips and tricks for building an outstanding clinician resume that will stand out in the pile and attract the best telehealth shifts for you. Check out the full how-to guide here.

Step 2: Do your research

Doing your research on telehealth and the impact it’s having on your patients and the healthcare industry as a whole is a great place to start before applying for these jobs. Understanding the current trends and benefits of telehealth will give you confidence in your choice to enter into this industry and will help you stand out during the interview process. If you’re passionate about telemedicine, that will show.

Step 3: Join a network

Joining a network with recruiters at the ready for you is a great way to find top opportunities in the telehealth industry. Of course, you always have basic job posting sites like LinkedIn or Indeed to search for telehealth jobs, but joining a network will give you a leg up in the job search process.

Once you join a network, you are usually paired with a recruiter that will get to know you, your specialties, qualifications, and values. Once they get a pulse on what you’re searching for, they’ll take on a lot of the heavy lifting. They will find telehealth positions for you aligned to your passions, interests, and schedule. This means you don’t have to waste time interviewing for jobs that don’t match what you’re looking for.

Another benefit? If you join the right clinician network, they can help you seamlessly add additional state licenses to your belt. Their credentialing experts will walk you through the pivotal steps and allow for a more streamlined process than applying for new licenses on your own. We will cover more about state licensure in the next step so you can leverage this to your advantage when applying for telehealth positions.

Recruiters are there to support YOU in finding positions that you will enjoy, so it’s a great place to start when beginning your career in the telehealth field. Not sure which network to join or where to start when looking at telehealth networks? We got you covered! We will cover a great telehealth network to join later on in the blog.

Step 4: Increase your number of state licenses

Getting licensed in multiple states will set you up for maximum success in the telehealth industry. The more states you are licensed in, the better. If they are states with large populations like California, Texas or Florida, that’s an added level of value to many organizations.

Why is this so important in telehealth? The more state licenses you have, the more patients you can see. Most telehealth companies span multiple states, if not all 50. So, healthcare professionals that are licensed in several states cover a lot of their patient bases. It’s definitely a competitive advantage against other candidates going for the same position as you.

Step 5: Set up your office

If you’re planning on doing synchronous telehealth, aka real-time telehealth consults, you’ll want to set up an office space in your home that is free of distractions. Find a private, quiet location in your home that will be an interruption-free area to conduct your visits. This will create a relaxing environment for your patient and allow them to feel comfortable and secure while discussing their reason for talking with you.

If you’re doing asynchronous telehealth, which means you won’t interact in real-time with your patient, it’s also a good idea to set up a private space. This will help you focus on the task at hand and remove any distractions, whether it’s a TV just begging to be watched or children running around the house. On top of trying to focus, it’s important to always abide by HIPAA compliance guidelines. So, remove that possibility of others seeing patient details by setting up that personal space where you access confidential information.

Not sure whether you want to conduct virtual care visits synchronously or asynchronously? We put together some key considerations when examining the two with benefits of each for you to check out and help make your decision a little easier.

Step 6: Network, network, network

Switching from a traditional healthcare setting to telehealth can be tough. There aren’t coworkers you can chat with while passing in the halls or socialize with at work. It can be a tough transition but networking with fellow telehealth providers can fill that need!

Social media is a great way to meet other professionals in the telehealth space. Connecting on LinkedIn with other providers or healthcare organizations is a great way to keep that social interaction going with people who share a medical interest. Another great option? Facebook groups. There are so many Facebook groups out there for people in the telehealth space like The Remote Telehealth Professional Network.

Attending events for telehealth providers is another great way to create a connection with others in the virtual care community. There are so many conferences and events each year around the US for healthcare professionals to come together and network. A quick Google search and you’ll be booking your spot at the conference and on your way to connecting with providers from all around the US.

We hope this gets the ball rolling on your journey to start your career in the telehealth industry! Take these steps and you’ll be on your way to filling shifts for top telehealth companies in all 50 states.

The OpenLoop network

Remember when we said we have a great telehealth network for you to join? We’re glad you stuck with us! The OpenLoop network is the perfect network for top telehealth opportunities across the United States.

The OpenLoop clinician network is comprised of leading clinicians looking for telehealth opportunities just like you! Why join our network? We personally match you with clinician advocates who meet with you to understand your passions, values and skill sets to pair you with telehealth companies that value the same. Over 6,500 healthcare professionals have put their trust in us and filled shifts for our clients in all 50 states.

Additional perks of joining the OpenLoop network include...

• Full control over your schedule

• Work with top digital health companies in the industry

• See job details and payment information before you accept the position

Interested? Apply to join the OpenLoop network today!

Are you a telehealth company looking for clinicians to staff your shifts and treat your patients? Get in touch with us.

Partnering with us gives you an all-access pass to our network of over 6,500 fully-vetted clinicians. Need more help launching and scaling your telehealth practice? We also help with the back office challenges that come with telehealth including MSOs and PC Groups, multi-state licensing, certified credentialing and much more.

We’d love to talk to you more about what we can do to fit your needs. Check out our website for more information and let’s connect!