Case Study 03 – Long-term CRNA Program Management
Staffing a 27-Hospital System Since 2021 — and Counting
Large-scale 27-hospital medical system — Urban flagship hospital, U.S.
Anesthesia providers recruited & credentialed
FTE W2 physicians recruited in year one
Hours staffed & growing
The Challenge
60-Day Notice. Complete Program Overhaul Required.
In late 2021, a large-scale 27-hospital medical system terminated its contract with a private anesthesia group at one of its large-volume urban hospitals. With just 60 days’ notice, the entire anesthesia system needed to be overhauled — including an internal takeover of all processes and procedures. The aim was to retain the existing CRNA pool as 1099 clinicians while simultaneously onboarding additional CRNA and MD coverage. ARK Staffing Solutions and CRNA Together collaborated with the hospital system to convert the existing CRNAs to the CRNA Together management platform and add additional clinicians to meet the provider gap.
CRNA Together has completely staffed the CRNA portion of this program since 2021. The total number of staffed hours stands at 1,750 — and counting.
The Solution
Simultaneous Conversion and Expansion
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Day 1: ARK and CRNA Together were entrusted to recruit, vet, and credential 200 anesthesia providers. A Bridge Program was proposed immediately to accelerate and streamline the administrative process.
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Concurrent: Recruitment efforts established to locate, appraise, and credential the most qualified CRNA and physician candidates to meet the hospital's growing care team needs.
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Year One: The Bridge Program seamlessly converted the entire CRNA team and recruited 12+ FTE W2 physicians within the first year of program management.
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2021–Present: CRNA Together has completely staffed the CRNA portion of this program.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKED
Partnership Built on Trust and Transparency
This ongoing relationship was established and continues to flourish because of trust and transparency. Key components of this partnership include bimonthly calls between the Account Manager and hospital leadership, direct access to the hospital’s internal site scheduler, and the ability to connect the clinicians directly with on-site clinical leadership.
I have found the ARK/CRNA team to be ethical, respectful, and hard working in achieving my goals. They effectively communicated with me throughout the process and provide a vital bridge with hospitals. When you work with them you feel they are vested in your interests, and they follow through with tangible results.
– Ramtin Ramsey, MD
The Payoffs
Long-Term Value Built on Partnership
- Converting CRNAs to independent contractors gave the hospital flexibility to adjust staffing levels based on demand, improving operational efficiency.
- Retaining existing CRNAs as 1099 clinicians maintained continuity for patients and minimized service disruptions throughout the transition.
- Onboarding additional CRNAs and MDs ensured adequate coverage, reducing burnout and improving patient care outcomes.
- A long-term partnership relationship has now lasted years with continued opportunities for program expansion and improvement.
About our brands
ARK Staffing Solutions and its sister company CRNA Together are your expert partners in locum tenens staffing, specializing in Anesthesiology, Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, and CRNA. Our Bridge Program delivers structured, mid-to-long-term staffing coverage with a full-schedule guarantee — ensuring uninterrupted clinical care for hospitals and health systems during transitions, expansions, and staffing gaps.
