Credentialing Basis
This step lets us phone a friend - or three - to confirm the candidate actually is as good as they say.
What are references?
Need to confirm someone can legally work in the U.S.? This form and its corresponding component are your golden ticket.
What is an I-9 and E-Verify?
In credentialing, this tool keeps you on track by listing every required document, making sure nothing gets missed in the file.
What is a file or facility checklist?
Checking emails or Teams during a candidate call? You’ve fallen into this trap where focus goes out the window.
What is multitasking?
These probing questions dig deeper when the first answer doesn’t quite add up — perfect for uncovering red flags or inconsistencies.
What are follow-up questions?
These tests check if a candidate really knows their stuff in their specialty area.
What are competency exams?
This organization sets the standards that staffing firms must meet to maintain healthcare certification.
What is The Joint Commission?
Some candidates hesitate to share this type of info because it feels way too personal.
What is sensitive personal information (such as SSN, DOB, or copies of IDs)?
Repeating a candidate’s concern back to them or saying “I understand” is an example of this active listening technique.
What is verbal acknowledgment?
These questions get you a quick yes or no, perfect for confirming a license number or document upload.
What are closed-ended questions?
This is when we double-check that the candidate’s license is real, active, and does not have any prior disciplinary action against it.
What is license verification or a Primary Source Verification?
A recruiter might assume this check, which confirms the provider isn’t on any naughty lists - federal or state, only happens at hire, but in reality, our policy requires it monthly.
What is the OIG/SAM exclusion check?
Changes to this key date can frustrate both the recruiter and the candidate.
What is the assignment start date?
When two people talk over each other instead of pausing, this roadblock derails the conversation.
What are interruptions?
To gather the full story — including details a candidate might not think to share — use this style of question
What are open-ended questions?
This piece of paper says, “Yes, they really did graduate - promise!”
What is a diploma or transcript?
This national database tracks healthcare professionals who have been disciplined, excluded, or had malpractice payments.
What is the NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank)?
Clinicians often confuse these two immunization documents - one shows the actual vaccine date, and the other shows immunity levels
What are vaccination records and titers?
After listening fully and confirming you understand, the next step is this - moving from empathy to action.
What is offering a solution?
This type of question clears up confusion on the spot and saves you from messy back-and-forth later.
What is a clarifying question?
A clinician uploaded their BLS CPR card, but it’s blurry and missing their name. What do you do?
What is request a clear copy and hold the file until proper documentation is provided?
A candidate clears every step but pops up on the OIG list for a past sanction. What’s your move?
What is escalate to your manager & VP of Credentialing immediately for a review and hold the file until resolved?
You’re waiting for a drug screen result, but the candidate says they completed it days ago. What should you check first before escalating?
What is confirm the lab received the sample and verify the candidate’s name and DOB were entered correctly?
This powerful technique shows you’re really paying attention - it’s when you notice not just words, but tone, pauses, and body language.
What is listening for nonverbal cues (or active observation)?
A candidate uploads half their health documents but insists “everything’s in.” Which questioning style helps uncover what’s really missing?
What are open-ended questions, like “Can you walk me through which documents you uploaded?”