Background
AMR is the largest private EMS company in North America. AMR engaged Avatar for many years, beginning in 1985. AMR was confronted with difficulties in attracting and retaining physicians, nurses, paramedics and EMTs. AMR turned to Avatar for a wide range of human performance solutions, among them a more effective hiring and selection protocol.
Initially, the focus was on medics, EMTs, nurses and emergency room physicians. However, the project grew to include 11 different categories, including physician recruiter education courses, billing center employment tests and several other tools not initially contemplated by AMR or Avatar.
Medical professional are in short supply. They are hard to find and attract. Once hired, they often voluntarily quit within the first year. Turnover was costly and disruptive. Overtime was very expensive and customer service, as measured by response times was slipping. AMR needed to get better retention results.