Express Employment of Grand Junction/Montrose is expanding its service offerings with the addition of healthcare staffing, allowing it to provide comprehensive healthcare staffing solutions to medical facilities across the Western Slope.
Sehra Smothers, the franchise owner of Express Healthcare Staffing Colorado, will lead the new partnership. A Colorado native and experienced healthcare professional, she brings more than two decades of clinical expertise to the team. Her various specialties include: cardiovascular care unit; gastroenterology; pain management; spine; and radiation oncology. Plus, she has leadership experience as an administrator, clinical director and director of nursing.
"We are thrilled to have Sehra as a strategic partner to lead our new healthcare staffing venture," said Nina Anderson, owner and CEO of Express Employment of Grand Junction/Montrose. "Her passion for healthcare and deep understanding of the industry will be invaluable as we work to meet the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals on the Western Slope."
Smothers said what she provides is not available at all employment agencies because of the extensive onboarding process Express Healthcare Staffing Colorado does.
"Healthcare staffing agencies are held to a higher standard in state regulations," she said. "For example, in Colorado, a healthcare staffing agency must be registered with the state, and we have biannual reporting that is required. We also carry a different liability insurance for coverage of our employees. Healthcare staffing agencies must also have an extensive knowledge of compliance and credentialing that is required for healthcare clinicians, such as CAPS check, ACLS, BLS, other certifications.
"Additionally, those certifications need to be hands-on, not online, and most courses are through the American Heart Association. We also require a minimum amount of experience for their role, and they also must pass competency and a skills checklist that is specific to their role and area of expertise. There are also annual trainings clinicians are required to have such as HIPPA, Blood borne Pathogens, Fire & Safety, etc.