There’s nothing quite like the high of locking down a new contract. You interview and jive well with the manager, then you wait in anticipation for an offer. Your recruiter calls and says, “YOU GOT IT!” The excitement of a new adventure starts stirring and you start looking at different housing options, googling the fun things to do in a new city, and finding new restaurants you’re excited to try—you feel ready to take the plunge!
Then, your compliance onboarder calls and they give you the list of all the tasks you need to complete in order to start your contract on time. Drug tests, TB skin tests, competency tests, governments forms, facility forms, confidentiality forms, the list goes on and on. By the end of the call, you might be feeling overwhelmed and not as excited as you were a few minutes ago.
But guess what? Compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming or discouraging! Here are five tips to help you knock out your to do list like a seasoned champ, even if it’s your first time.
1. Keep certain records stored on your phone for easy access.
There are some documents that don’t need to be updated very often like your certifications, your driver’s license, your last physical or MMR vaccines. Keep those items stored on your phone in one spot so they can be sent at a moment’s notice. You can create a “photo album” in your phone or you can even email them to yourself and save them in a folder. This will save you time from having to sort through a bunch of papers or figuring out how to get documents filed away in your hometown when you’re somewhere else!
2. Focus on categories vs individual tasks.
It’s easy to look a list of 24 things and get easily overwhelmed. When in reality, those 24 things typically narrow down to three categories:
- Clinic/Medical records
- Online testing
- Forms
Instead of working on one thing here and one thing there, strategize your time to be more efficient. Either knock out all of your forms at the same time since you’re already at your computer, or make sure you schedule uninterrupted time to focus all of your attention on your online testing. If you try to multitask your testing with other things, the chances of failing are higher, and then you spend even more time on them because you have to retake them. Make sure they have your full attention.
3. Make your clinic visit your #1 priority
Out of all compliance requirements, the category that requires the most time and room for error are your clinic requirements. The drug test alone can take a few days to come back, so it’s best to start it ASAP. Drug tests can also get lost while being sent to the lab, or the clinic may send a blurry copy of a result we need right away, where then a new copy has to be requested. So, make sure you’re giving plenty of time for all requirements to come back to avoid any start date push backs.
4. Be proactive in what may or may not be required.
Be proactive by having things on hand just in case they’re needed. For instance, some facilities require a badge photo picture to be taken prior to starting and some don’t. It’s best to have one ready to go in case it’s hard to find a white/plain background wherever you are last minute. Another example is some facilities require proof of your residency and some don’t. Keeping a copy of your lease or a utility bill on hand might be helpful. If you don’t need it for your current assignment, chances are you might need it for your next one. Be prepared!
5. Don’t procrastinate!
It’s easy to put a to-do list on the back burner when you’re busy, exhausted, or you just don’t want to do it! But if one thing is certain, it’s that procrastination only causes more stress, more anxiety, and even more exhaustion! My advice is to tackle as much as you possibly can within the first 24 hours of locking in your new assignment. That way you can keep spending time and energy on the things you’re excited about in your upcoming adventure, and you’re not weighed down by all the little things to get you there.
If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or like you need help, always feel free to reach out to your recruiter. We are here to help in any way we can!
Happy Trails and THANK YOU for all you do!