Download PDF Version: Seven Reasons to Practice at Aria Care Partners

Medical professionals at all levels have experienced considerable upheaval and change in healthcare in recent years. Many have pursued or are contemplating practicing outside of traditional hospital, clinic or office-based venues. One attractive option that may be less familiar is joining a firm such as Aria Care Partners (ACP) that specializes in providing essential onsite health services for skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

This article explores the opportunity, with a brief look at ACP’s important work with an often underserved population and how SNFs benefit from the relationship. It then presents seven compelling reasons to consider joining the Aria Care Team.

The Skilled Nursing Sector

Skilled nursing facilities are an integral part of the U.S. post-acute care delivery network. There are approximately 15,000 SNFs that form an industry of over $179 billion projected to grow at 3.4% annually between 2023 and 2030.¹ While some are hospital-based, nearly all U.S. facilities are freestanding and almost three-quarters are for-profit entities.² 

SNFs share many of the challenges faced by today’s healthcare organizations, from reimbursement pressures to labor shortages. Key strategic imperatives include: 

• Enhancement of care and value for residents
• Cost control to maintain sound financial health
• Expansion and growth
• Regulatory compliance

How SNFs Engage with Aria

ACP has a long and successful track record in the SNF industry (see sidebar). The company provides a range of onsite dental, hearing, vision, and podiatry services (Figure 1). Skilled nursing communities contract for this care rather than employing doctors or relying on taking residents to offsite providers. SNFs appreciate the fact that Aria Care Partners is singularly focused on delivering onsite care in the skilled nursing environment..

Why SNFs Turn to Aria: The Benefits

A relationship with Aria enables SNFs to realize an array of benefits that support their strategic objectives. Major advantages gained include:

• Access to medical professionals possessing expertise and experience in working with the SNF patient population. Aria’s caregivers emphasize skills such as listening attentively and granting agency to residents.
• Comprehensive care for residents that addresses dental, vision, hearing, or foot/ankle problems which impact wellbeing and can create serious health complications.
• Convenience for residents. Onsite care reduces the need for often cumbersome and costly transport of individuals outside the facility for care.
• Reduction of internal staff stress and time pressures. Aria has become a part of the strategy to manage persistent labor shortages.
• Enhanced market reputation through delivery of comprehensive care and positive medical encounters.
• Help maintaining compliance with important regulatory standards.

Seven Reasons to Practice at Aria

Aria’s doctors and medical professionals are the direct catalysts for delivering desirable benefits to SNF communities. These professionals consistently cite seven reasons that attract them to join and stay with Aria.

1. A rewarding experience with an established patient base. ACP offers its providers a set of skilled nursing communities in which to practice onsite. They are able to build meaningful, trusted relationships with residents. That is particularly helpful for residents who have avoided doctor visits or not seen a physician in some time.
2. Practice flexibility. ACP lets providers structure their schedules, from one day per week to multiple days.
3. Ability to be part of a dedicated care team. Each Aria discipline is led by a Chief Medical Officer who is part of senior leadership, underscoring the firm’s commitment to its medical team. Also, since ACP provides a bundled set of dental, vision, hearing, and podiatry services, there are opportunities for cross-discipline knowledge-sharing and care coordination. That enhances the team’s ability to address correlated health conditions.
4. Collaborative relationships with SNF internal staff. Aria professionals work as an extension of and advisor to the internal caregivers.
5. Helping meet a growing need for post-acute care. Skilled nursing facilities are essential for patient care following many hospital discharges. SNFs also play a key role in providing quality of life for individuals in their later years. There is strong ongoing demand for more medical professionals to serve this often underserved population.
6. Technology support from Aria. Tools and instruments for onsite care are provided by the company. Further practice support comes from the use of electronic medical records and other innovative technologies that enhance care and that are frequently difficult to access for independent physicians.
7. Industry leadership. ACP is committed to helping the SNF industry navigate trends and embrace change. This leadership takes many forms, including research and commentary, participation in various conferences, and other avenues.

Conclusion

Dental, hearing, vision, and podiatry care in the skilled nursing setting offers a dynamic, rewarding opportunity being pursued by many medical professionals today, from new graduates to experienced providers. They find the path well-suited to their personal needs and career goals. Aria Care Partners welcomes the chance to engage with all who are interested in discussing the strong case for joining the team.

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