Shari Dingle Sandifer Honored With Enterprising Women Of The Year Award

Shari Dingle Sandifer, CEO Avant Healthcare Professionals and VP of AAIHR, met with Philippine Secretary of Labor Dimapilis Baldoz in Manila on August 26, 2011 to discuss recruitment of Filipino educated healthcare professionals by Avant and other AAIHR member companies, as well as to share current industry updates and issues.   Philippine Regulatory Chairperson Teresita Manzala was also in attendance at the meeting.

The discussion focused on several points including the growing number of Filipino nurses who are unemployed or underemployed in clinical nursing.   This number has been steadily growing over the past several years and increased with the July nursing licensure examination passers of just under 38,000 nurses.    An update on the latest movement in the priority dates for the EB3 immigrant visa category was shared.    

Physical therapists and occupational therapists updates were shared and included the following highlights:

• Update on the NPTE fixed test administration dates
• Increasing educational requirements for physical therapists in the US to the doctorate degree not later than 2020
• Increasing educational requirements for foreign educated occupational therapists to the master degree in July 2013

At the conclusion of the meeting all parties agreed that an ongoing dialogue should continue between the AAIHR and Department of Labor and Employment.

Avant CEO presents at Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines 44^th Mid-Year Convention in Manila, Philippines on August 26, 2011.

Shari Sandifer, CEO Avant Healthcare Professionals, presented at the 44^th Mid-Year Convention of the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) on Harmony in the Workplace.  “I was so impressed with the program and membership of ANSAP.   Membership is approximately 15,000 reiterating the commitment to professional growth and development by the nursing leaders in the Philippines”  

Speakers at the convention included the Honorable Teresita Manzala, Philippine Regulatory Commission, Laura Hawkin, World Health Organization and Maria Rita Villanueva-Tamse, Chief of Nursing, University of Philippines – Philippine General Hospital.

Ms. Sandifer is a member of AAIHR, AONE, STTI and ANA.   She is actively involved in promoting professional collaboration between nurses globally.

AAIHR Meets with US Embassy Officials in Manila, Philippines

AAIHR Representatives and Board members, Shari Sandifer, CEO Avant Healthcare, and Michael LeMonier, CEO of MedPro Healthcare, met with US Embassy officials in Manila on August 24^th to discuss the issuance of visitor visas for Filipino educated physical therapists desiring to the take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in the US.  The NPTE is only offered in the contiguous 48 states, Hawaii and Alaska.  Beginning in July 2011 the NPTE is offered on fixed test dates which had increased demand for the visitor visas for the 4 to 5 dates per year.

US Embassy officials reiterated the laws that consular officers are guided by in Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which presumes that a visa applicant is an “intending immigrant” and, in order to qualify for the visa, must demonstrate ties to the home country that will compel him or her to return after the trip to the U.S.  The burden, by law, is on the visa applicant to convince the consular officer on these points.  This section of the law also states that the consular officer must be satisfied that “the applicant will credibly engage in the activities authorized” under the visa category.

AAIHR Representative shared detailed information on the arduous screening and selection process the physical therapy candidates must undergo to qualify for testing sponsorship through AAHIR member companies.    It was also pointed out that the AAIHR was the first US trade association to adopt a Code of Ethics which all member companies subscribe to.  Although no specific guidance was provided on how to deal with the increased rate of denials for visitor visa applications, it was apparent that if candidate could fully articulate the long preparation process through a reputable staffing/recruitment company, intent to return to the Philippines for employment based visa processing, as well as other information such as social and family ties there is a higher likelihood of the visa approval.

Avant Healthcare Professionals Selected as Finalist for 2011 ACG SMART Award

Orlando, FL, May 13, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Avant Healthcare Professionals was recently selected as a finalist for the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) award. Each year the ACG Orlando recognizes companies based on the value they bring to the region in terms of corporate culture, growth, business creativity and economic contribution. The SMART Awards is part of a continuing commitment to facilitate relationships among middle-market companies, capital sources and professionals active in corporate finance throughout Central Florida.

To qualify a company must be currently in a stage of growth with annual revenue or sales of $10 million to $1 billion. Qualifying companies must also be headquartered in Central Florida.

Shari Sandifer, CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals, stated, “We are very excited to be selected as a SMART Award finalist by the Association for Corporate Growth. This honor is especially valued in these turbulent economic times where companies that are creative, make the most of limited opportunities and are able to produce results can continue to flourish. It is a testimony to the hard work of our corporate staff.”

New survey finds nursing shortage likely to increase
February 03, 2010 | Diana Manos, Senior Editor

SAN DIEGO � Nearly one-third of registered nurses surveyed in January say they will not be working in their current job a year from now, and close to half say they plan to alter their career path in one to three years.

The 2010 survey of registered nurses released Wednesday by AMN Healthcare, a San Diego-based provider of  healthcare staffing and management services, found 28 percent of nurses surveyed plan to leave the nursing field entirely or cut back on hours because the job is affecting their health.

Researchers said they polled 1,399 RNs for the study, asking questions related to job satisfaction and nursing opinions on how the recession and potential healthcare reform may affect their jobs.

On the healthcare reform issue, only 6 percent of the respondents are "very confident" that reform will provide a mechanism for ensuring an adequate supply of nurses.

Industry data indicates the nation will face a shortage of 260,000 RNs by 2025.

"Our survey clearly indicates significant job dissatisfaction and that is concerning in terms of quality healthcare delivery," said Ralph Henderson, AMN Healthcare's nursing and allied division president. "Nurses are at the core of quality care in our nation's delivery system, and if we see large numbers of nurses leaving the profession it could negatively impact patient care outcomes."

According to the survey, 55 percent believe that the quality of care that nurses provide has declined compared to five years ago.

Researchers said that while the survey highlights nurse dissatisfaction with their current job, most are satisfied with their careersl, with 59 percent saying they would select nursing as a career if they had it to do it again. Sixty-four percent said they would recommend nursing as a career to young people.

"While nursing has made tremendous strides as a profession, in terms of pay and prestige, staffing shortages remain the profession's greatest challenge," Henderson said.

Six percent of nurses permanently employed in a hospital setting plan to retire in the next one to three years. This action would reduce the hospital nursing workforce by more than 70,000, according to researchers.

"It is critical that we find ways to keep experienced nurses engaged in patient care and attract new nurses to the workforce," Henderson said. "These two things combined will help mitigate the impact of the nation's growing nurse shortage."

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/new-survey-finds-nursing-shortage-likely-increase

November 24, 2009 | Patty Enrado, Contributing Editor

CHARLOTTE, NC - With 100,000 nursing positions currently unfilled and the shortage expected to climb to 340,000 nurses by 2020, healthcare systems need a strategy to reduce nurse turnover.

Healthcare systems should shift their focus from why nurses leave to why they stay, said David Rowlee, vice president of research services for Moorehead Associates, an employee survey and research firm.

"Research confirms a strong empirical link between workforce engagement and the challenges and goals of healthcare organizations," Rowlee told attendees in a recent webinar presentation.

Workforce engagement impacts an organization's performance, clinical outcomes, patient safety, physician engagement, market penetration and financial performance, he noted.
Research shows that most people leave their jobs because of neutral or positive events, such as spouse relocation or unsolicited job offers, Rowlee said, adding that it is up to organizations to insulate valued employees from these events.

Rowlee thinks a "Links, Fit and Sacrifice" model can help healthcare organizations keep their employees. He said employers should make connections between a new employee and other people or groups in the organization and create a compatible and comfortable work environment for the new employee.

By providing material and psychological benefits that accumulate over time, employers create a situation in which employees won't want to forfeit these gains by leaving the job

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Article ID: 10039
Posted on: 11/12/2009

AVANT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS UNVEILS NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE WWW.AVANTHEALTHCARE.COM

Avant Healthcare Professionals, a nationwide expert in providing internationally educated nursing and allied health professionals; including Physical and Occupational Therapists, announced today that they have updated their website to better represent the lines of business and healthcare professionals they serve, both clients and candidates.

According to Shari Sandifer, CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals, "The website update highlights our years of experience and success featuring quotes from both our client facilities and healthcare professionals. We are excited to have a forum to post blogs on current issues and challenges in our industry"

VP of International Recruitment, Lesley Hamilton states, "The new website has been developed to provide easy access to information for applicants and clients. The new site has a clean, user friendly format. We have added some new features that allow for easier referral of new applicants and resumes can be submitted directly from the website."

In terms of overall client relations, CRO Brian Hudson added, "The new website educates our clients on our seamless process of providing an "international solution" for the current and looming healthcare professional shortage domestically and positions Avant Healthcare Professionals to be a unique resource for clinicians and healthcare human capital professionals."

Avant Healthcare Professionals is the premier specialist for internationally educated nursing and allied health professionals; including Physical and Occupational Therapists. Internationally based in Orlando, Florida, Avant Healthcare Professionals opens a "World of Possibilities" with our long term and retention focused approach to providing internationally trained healthcare professionals. Avant Healthcare Professionals is certified by the Joint Commission and founding member of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR). Avant Healthcare Professionals "international solution" provides substantial return on investment (ROI), increased revenues, improved retention, diversity, and is a competitive advantage to progressive healthcare organizations most critical needs. For more information visit www.avanthealthcare.com or call 888-681-2999 ext. 101

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Article ID: 10038
Posted on: 10/02/2009

"Avant Healthcare Professionals Exhibits at 60th Annual ACHA/NCAL Convention in Chicago"

Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC, a nationwide expert in providing internationally educated nursing and allied health professionals; including Physical and Occupational Therapists, announced today that they will be exhibiting at the 60th Annual AHCA/NCAL Quality Care Plus convention and expo in Chicago October 4-7. The AHCA/NCAL offers a variety of educational and business practices for all long term care practitioners and professionals. This year's convention offers 60 specialized education sessions and workshops. Special guests include Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripkin and Dr. Bob Arnot, Foreign Correspondent for NBC News and noted medical journalist. "The motivational principles for working hard and staying focused that Cal Ripken delivers, along with the foreign perspective that Dr. Arnot brings, makes this an exceptional event for us to attend." stated Shari Sandifer, Avant Healthcare Professionals CEO. According to Brian Hudson, Senior Vice President, Avant Healthcare Professionals opens a "World of Opportunities" to progressive healthcare organizations with our long term and retention focused approach to providing internationally trained healthcare professionals. Avant Healthcare Professionals "international solution" provides substantial return on investment (ROI), increased revenues, improved retention, diversity, and is a competitive advantage to many healthcare organizations nationwide. Avant Healthcare Professionals is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and founding member of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR).

Avant Healthcare Professionals CEO, Shari Sandifer, will address the 2009 Healthcare Staffing Summit in Washington DC September 15-16, 2009. The topic of the address will be centered on International Staffing: Whats Next for Nurses, Therapists and Physicians. The topic is timely with the debate over Healthcare reform taking center. The demand for quality, skilled healthcare professionals will continue to increase in the US, creating an ongoing challenge for those in the healthcare human capital arena. There will be significant need to look internationally for these qualified professionals to help keep up with demand of the aging baby boom generation. According to Ms. Sandifer, "The focus of the session will be to explore the current outlook for visas to allow international recruiting of healthcare workers, as well as discuss the opportunities available to healthcare organizations willing to think beyond the traditional methods for recruiting." Avant Healthcare provides exclusive, highly qualified, internationally educated healthcare professionals; including, nurses, physical and occupational therapists to clients nationwide.