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It’s no exaggeration to say that diabetes is an epidemic in the United States. Cases have risen over the years to the point that now, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 34.2 million Americans are living with diabetes, while 88 million more have prediabetes — when your blood glucose is elevated, but not enough to technically be considered diabetes.

As the premier care provider in and around Panama City, Nation’s Best Family Health Care, and their caring providers and team are ready to help you take steps to avoid type 2 diabetes, as well as provide continuing care if you’re living with diabetes. Our range of services is diverse, and every member of the Nation’s Best Family Health Care team is dedicated to providing you with the best care.

What’s the role of insulin?

To understand how insulin impacts your health, we need to first learn what it is. Insulin is a hormone that’s produced by your pancreas, and its purpose is to aid in metabolizing what you eat and drink so that your body can use the nutrients you ingest for energy.

Without insulin, your body couldn’t utilize protein, carbohydrates, and fat as necessary, or store them for future use, primarily in the form of fat.

In short, insulin — and having proper levels of it in your body — is truly vital. Without adequate insulin, your organs can’t do the work they need to do to keep your systems functioning.

When insulin production goes awry

Insulin, along with another hormone — glucagon — balance your blood glucose levels (the amount of sugar in your body). The food you eat is the source of glucose, which is your body’s fuel. Insulin and glucagon partner to ensure that your blood sugar levels are properly regulated.

When you digest your food, carbohydrates convert to glucose. The glucose is directed into your bloodstream, which causes your blood glucose levels to rise. This is what sends the message to your pancreas to produce insulin, which instructs your cells to absorb the glucose traveling through your bloodstream.

Certain cells use glucose as energy, while others, like those within your muscles and liver, put away surplus glucose after it becomes glycogen, a substance that serves as your body’s fuel in between meals.

Yet another player, glucagon, offsets the effects of insulin. Between four and six hours after a meal, your blood glucose levels go down, and this signals to your pancreas to manufacture glucagon.

The hormone glucagon instructs your liver and muscle cells to convert the glycogen your body has stored back into glucose. The cells send the glucose into your bloodstream, furnishing your other cells with energy.

This exquisitely balanced dynamic between insulin and glucagon is never-ending, ensuring that your blood sugar never gets dangerously low and that you have the energy you need to live.

The cells in people who have type 2 diabetes don’t react correctly when their bodies produce insulin, resulting in higher blood sugar levels. A worrying outcome is that as time goes on, your body makes less insulin, and your blood sugar levels elevate even more.

Can I prevent diabetes?

With your doctor’s help, you can take steps to lower your risk of diabetes and stop prediabetes in its tracks. It’s important to do everything in your power to avoid diabetes because the condition is associated with other serious health problems, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, nerve damage, vision problems, and stroke.

Another less talked about malady, insulin resistance is another condition we treat. It’s a result of your pancreas needing to work more intensely than normal to balance your blood sugar, and a primary indicator of the problem is weight gain. Fortunately, we’re able to discover whether you have insulin resistance prior to your blood sugar moving into the realm of diabetes.

The provider team at Nation’s Best Family Health Care wants nothing more than to help you on your journey to health. To prevent diabetes, they may recommend that you shed pounds through our customized medically supervised weight loss program, as well as adopt other lifestyle changes, including upping your daily exercise, quitting smoking, and taking medication.

If you’re already living with diabetes, we help you manage it by educating you about scrupulously monitoring your blood sugar, checking your feet daily for any small cuts, and again, eating a nutritious diet and staying physically active.

We also know that having diabetes can cause some anxiety and depression — it’s a lot to manage! We can help there too since we have a compassionate mental health counselor on staff.

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us by reaching out to us through our website. We can help you if you’re concerned about diabetes.… Read the rest

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use. Diabetes is a health condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar on its own through insulin. There are two distinct types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): T1D, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Different factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to T1D.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): T2D is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. In T2D, the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Genetics and environmental factors, such as being overweight and inactive, have been established as contributing factors.

All patients with T1D and patients with more serious forms of T2D need to take insulin medications to help their body regulate blood sugar.

There are many types of insulin medications available. Each kind has its own unique action and they are not interchangeable. The chart below will help you understand how the various insulin medications work and why your healthcare provider has prescribed them for you.

Insulin is injected into the fat tissue, which helps it absorb into the bloodstream. Some insulin medications work faster than others, but don’t last as long. And some insulins last longer, but work more gradually than others. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history to determine the insulin medication most appropriate for you.

Characteristics of Insulin Action

There are three characteristics that define how insulin medication function:

1. Onset: How long it takes for the insulin to start lowering blood glucose
2. Peak time: Time after administration when the insulin is the most effective at lowering blood glucose
3. Duration: How long the insulin keeps lowering blood glucose

Insulin is prescribed by matching the characteristics of a particular insulin with the individual needs of the patient. Some people are on only one kind of insulin, while others take a combination of insulin medication to customize good glucose control.1

Types of Insulin

There are six main types of insulin available.

1. 1. Rapid-acting: These include Apidra, Humalog, and Novolog. They have an onset of less than 15 minutes, peak in 30 to 90 minutes, and duration of two to four hours.
   2. Regular (short-acting): These include Humulin R and Novolin R. They have an onset of a half an hour, a peak of two to three hours, and duration of three to six hours.
   3. Intermediate-acting: These include Humulin N and Novolin N. They have an onset of two to four hours, a peak at four to 12 hours, and duration of 12 to 18 hours.
   4. Long-acting: These include Levemir, Lantus, Semglee, and Tresiba. They have an onset of several hours, minimal or no peak, and a duration of 24 hours or more. Tresiba has been shown to last up to 42 hours.2
   5. Ultra long-acting: These include Toujeo. They have an onset of six hours, no peak, and a duration of 36 hours.
   6. Combinations/pre-mixed: These combine intermediate-acting insulins with regular insulin and are convenient for people who need to use both. These include mixtures of Humulin or Novoline, Novolog Mix, and Humalog Mix. See the chart for actions.

1. Inhaled insulin: This became available in 2015 and is used in combination with long-acting insulin. Afrezza has an onset of 12 to 15 minutes, a peak of 30 minutes, and duration of three hours.3

Insulin Types and Actions Chart

This chart covers the different brands of insulin, how long it takes for each to start lowering blood sugar, when the peak of action will occur, and how long it will continue to work. Read the product information provided with your medication and follow the instructions from your healthcare provider and pharmacist for using insulin.

The number of employees hired through staffing and recruitment firms in the U.S. has steadily increased since they first started operating in the 1940s. Nowadays, America’s staffing companies hire nearly 17 million temporary and contract employees per year!. Companies now understand the many advantages of partnering with a recruitment company to fulfill their hiring needs, so it has become crucial to identify the best partner to do business with.

These are the top 5 attributes you want to look for in a recruitment agency:

1. Experience

You want the firm to have some longevity. A reliable recruitment firm would have successfully staffed at least a few well-known companies and can provide examples of successful placements.

2. Versatility

Staffing agencies should understand your specific needs and align their hiring strategies to your corporate goals. Also, the agency must ensure that every candidate is a good match, not just for the specific position he or she is applying for, but for your company as a whole. In fact, an effective workplace can only be achieved if all employees understand and internalize the company’s culture.

3. Specialization vs. Generalization

Generalist recruitment firms are a great fit for organizations that need employees for a wide variety of positions. However, if your hiring needs involve some degree of specialization, you should partner with an agency that has expertise in your market segment. The best firms will be upfront in letting you know the types of positions they can successfully fill.

4. Reputation

A good sign of reliable recruitment agencies is their reputation. Since clients and job-seekers usually share their experience with staffing companies they have worked in the past, you can find plenty of information online. Take the time to read their feedback very carefully. By doing this, you will have an idea of what to expect if you decide to work with a certain agency.

5. Transparency

Transparency is the foundation of a strong partnership. Be wary of any firm that is not open to discussing their hiring process or refuses to share the candidate wage or pricing details. If a bid from a staffing firm sounds just too good to be true, it probably is. Your staffing partner should be open, honest, and upfront with you and the candidates they place.

A reputable and reliable staffing agency can be an important management tool for your business. By doing a little research before you decide what company to partner with, you can save time and money and build a profitable, long-lasting business relationship.… Read the rest

Insulin is a natural hormone produced by your pancreas that controls how your body uses and stores blood sugar (glucose). It’s like a key that allows glucose to enter cells throughout your body.

Insulin is a vital part of metabolism. Without it, your body would cease to function.

When you eat, your pancreas releases insulin to help your body make energy out of glucose, a type of sugar found in carbohydrates. It also helps you store energy.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas initially produces insulin, but the cells of your body are unable to make good use of the insulin. This is called insulin resistance.

Unmanaged diabetes allows glucose to build up in the blood rather than being distributed to cells or stored. This can wreak havoc with virtually every part of your body.

Blood tests can quickly indicate whether your glucose levels are too high or too low.

Complications of diabetes include kidney disease, nerve damage, heart problems, eye problems, and stomach problems.

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy to live. Some people with type 2 diabetes must also take insulin therapy to control their blood sugar levels and avoid complications.

If you have diabetes, insulin therapy can do the job your pancreas can’t. The following types of insulin are available:

• Rapid-acting insulin reaches the bloodstream within 15 minutes and keeps working for up to 4 hours.
• Short-acting insulin enters the bloodstream within 30 minutes and works for up to 6 hours.
• Intermediate-acting insulin finds its way into your bloodstream within 2 to 4 hours and is effective for about 18 hours.
• Produced in the pancreas

  When you eat, food travels to your stomach and small intestines, where it’s broken down into nutrients that include glucose. The nutrients are absorbed and distributed via your bloodstream.

  The pancreas is a gland located behind your stomach that performs an essential role in the digestion process. It creates enzymes that break down the fat, starches, and sugar in the food. It also secretes insulin and other hormones into your bloodstream.

  Insulin is created in the beta cells of the pancreas. Beta cells comprise about 75% of pancreatic hormone cells.

  Other hormones produced by the pancreas are:

  • glucagon, which alerts your liver to raise your blood sugar if it gets too low
  • gastrin, which stimulates the production of gastric acid in your stomach
  • amylin, which helps control your appetiteLong-acting insulin starts working within a few hours and keeps glucose levels even for about 24 hours.
    Insulin injection sites

    Insulin is usually injected into the abdomen, but it can also be injected into the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks.

    Injection sites should be rotated within the same general location. Frequent injections in the same spot can cause fatty deposits that make delivery of insulin more difficult.

    Insulin pump

    Instead of frequent injections, some people use a pump that regularly delivers small doses of insulin throughout the day.

    The pump includes a small catheter that is placed in the fatty tissue underneath the skin of the abdomen. It also has a reservoir that stores the insulin and thin tubing that transports the insulin from the reservoir to the catheter.

    The insulin in the reservoir needs to be refilled as necessary. To avoid an infection, the insertion site must be changed every 2 to 3 days.

  Energy creation and distribution

  The function of insulin is to help transform glucose into energy and distribute it throughout your body, including the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

  Without insulin, cells are starved for energy and must seek an alternative source. This can lead to life threatening complications.

  Liver storage

  Insulin helps your liver take in excess glucose from your bloodstream. If you have enough energy, the liver stores the glucose you don’t need right away so it can be used for energy later.

  In turn, the liver produces less glucose on its own. This keeps your blood glucose levels in check. The liver releases small amounts of glucose into your bloodstream between meals to keep your blood sugars within that healthy range

  Muscle and fat storage

  Insulin helps your muscles and fat cells store extra glucose so it doesn’t overwhelm your bloodstream.

  It signals your muscle and fat tissue cells to stop breaking down glucose to help stabilize your blood sugar level.

  The cells then begin creating glycogen, the stored form of glucose. Glycogen provides your body with energy when your blood sugar level drops.

  When your liver can hold no more glycogen, insulin triggers your fat cells to take in glucose. It’s stored as triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood, that can be used for energy later.

  Balanced blood sugars

  Blood sugar, or glucose, is used by your body for energy. When you eat, it’s created by many of the carbohydrates you’re consuming. Glucose is either used right away or stored in your cells. Insulin helps keep the glucose in your blood within a normal range.

  It does this by taking glucose out of your bloodstream and moving it into cells throughout your body. The cells then use the glucose for energy and store the excess in your liver, muscles, and fat tissue.

  Too much or too little glucose in your blood can cause serious health problems. Besides diabetes, it can lead to heart, kidney, eye, and blood vessel problems.

  Healthy cells

  Cells in every part of your body need energy to function and remain healthy. Insulin provides the glucose that cells use for energy.

  Without insulin, the glucose remains in your bloodstream, which can lead to dangerous complications like hyperglycemia.

  Along with glucose, insulin helps amino acids enter the body’s cells, which builds muscle mass. Insulin also helps cells take in electrolytes like potassium, which keeps your bodily fluids level.

  In the bloodstream

  When insulin enters your bloodstream, it helps cells throughout your body — including in your central nervous system and cardiovascular system — to absorb glucose. It’s the circulatory system’s job to deliver insulin.

  As long as the pancreas produces enough insulin and your body can use it properly, blood sugar levels will be kept within a healthy range.

  A buildup of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia) can cause complications like nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage, and eye problems. Symptoms of high blood glucose include excessive thirst and frequent urination.

  Too little glucose in the blood (hypoglycemia) can make you feel irritable, tired, or confused. Low blood sugar can lead to loss of consciousness.

  Ketone control

  Insulin helps your cells use glucose for energy. When cells can’t use the extra glucose, they begin to burn fat for energy. This process creates a dangerous buildup of chemicals called ketones.

  Your body tries to get rid of the ketones through your urine, but sometimes it can’t keep up. This can lead to a life threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Symptoms include sweet-smelling breath, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting.

If your in-house marketing team is having to do more with less (as many are), it’s hard to keep up. Having a strategic partnership with an advertising agency can make all the difference. Here are five things to consider when finding the right partnership for your business.

Full-Service Means Cost-Effective

The number of “agencies” who are actually networks of contractors spread out around the country — or the world — is growing fast. But while the Internet has made this kind of remote collaboration possible, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

A full-service agency with across-the-board capabilities including copywriting, graphic design, web services, social media, and video, streamlines workflow and provides more efficient and effective creativity and communication. Full-service also means media neutral: recommendations based on data and what’s best for your business, not based on the agency’s specialization. You get cohesive messaging, a clear compelling brand, and a partner that’s accountable to deadlines, budgets, and results.

Industry Expertise

While it’s important that your agency has some understanding of your industry and your market before they get to work, they’ll never be the experts you are. You want them to be experts at what they do, and a fresh set of eyes can be just what you need to stand out from the competition.

Take a look at a prospective agency’s success stories and portfolio. Make sure they’re adept in marketing, communications, and building inspiring brands that consumers love. A good agency will be able to pick up the industry details along the way and might surprise you with some of the insights they’ve picked up from other industries.

Creative That Solves Problems

If you ask us, our creatives are some of the best in the game. From concept through execution, they bring innovative thinking and artistic integrity to everything they do, and the quality of the output shows it.

But we don’t build campaigns around artistic statements. No good agency should.

Good advertising is geared towards a goal. The art serves a purpose for the advertiser; the purpose isn’t to serve the art. You want to expand in a certain demographic or capture more market share, or simply do more business — there’s a problem your marketing is supposed to solve.

Choose an agency with creative strategies developed to solve that problem, not developed to serve the agency itself.

Research Depth and Holistic Perspective

In addition to the remote and freelance nature of many modern marketing teams, another problem with the proliferation of Internet-based agencies is the low cost of entry. Anyone can put together a website for $500 and change their LinkedIn status to “Ad Agency CEO,” even when their idea of a marketing solution is nothing but a new slogan.

Most marketing challenges go a lot deeper than your brand’s surface image. The right agency develops a full understanding of your business from the ground up. It puts your region and your target market under a microscope and soaks up all the data it can. It dives deep into problems and builds solutions that start with the fundamentals so the surface fixes have a solid foundation.

Most importantly, a good agency listens. It understands what you’re trying to achieve, not just with your marketing but with your business, and everything it does is geared towards making it happen for you.

We don’t simply deliver work to our clients. We become business partners, developing an understanding of the internal and external pressures affecting your company and incorporating that awareness into everything we do. With a holistic view of the data and the situation, we’re able to deliver marketing and advertising that succeeds.

Culture Fit

All agencies, even those that are similar in size and services, are not the same. What you get depends a great deal on the team creating it, so culture is important for more than just a good working relationship. It’s key in making sure your advertising achieves its goals.

The degree of partnership we like to form with our clients — and that we think all good agencies should form with their clients — makes a strong culture fit an essential ingredient to an effective relationship. Our values and attitudes need to be aligned if we’re going to have a mutually beneficial collaboration and to ensure the creative work we produce aligns with your brand.

In our preliminary discussions, we’ll talk about our culture and learn as much as we can about yours. That gives both of us a chance to assess and make sure we’re a good fit. When we’re not, there are no hard feelings. When we are, we get pretty enthusiastic — and you get the fruits of our enthusiastic efforts.

A Final Note: Beware the Heavy Sales Pitch

Last but not least, we’d like to leave you with a word of warning regarding any agency that uses high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign. Limited time offers, trash-talking the competition, dire warnings of what will happen if you don’t reverse course and do what they tell you now…

They’re all usually a sign that an agency is desperate for work or is all about the money. And if their sales tactics are any indication of how they’ll pitch their creative to you, there’s a reason they don’t have a lot of business.

Want to learn more about working with a great agency? Contact us today and we’ll tell you all about it!… Read the rest

Are your clients happy with you?

Let’s face it, the recruitment business is about building relationships. As a recruiter for a staffing agency, building good relationships means increased business and client trust, so you want to make sure you’re doing all you can to make your clients happy. If you’re a staffing agency that’s experiencing strained relationships with clients, we listed out a few ways that will help strengthen those relationships and increase your business:

1. Know Your Client’s Industry: You wouldn’t hire a doctor to perform surgery who never got their medical degree, right? So why would clients hire you to recruit for their industry if you know nothing about it? Remember, quality always wins over quantity. Recruiting expertise in a few industries is much better than knowing a just little bit in several industries. While the latter may get more business in the short term, it might cost clients in the long run. The bottom line is this: spend the time and effort to do your industry homework, and you’ll pass the test.
2. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.  Did I mention communication? Keep your clients in the loop on where you stand with open jobs. The worst thing you can do is drop off the map, causing the client to have to take time out of their busy day to follow up with you. They want to fill their positions probably faster than you do, so keeping clients informed not only builds trust and credibility, it shows you’re on top of your game.

1. Always Be Professional:  When a company hires you to recruit on their behalf, you take on the “face” of their organization when you’re meeting with, talking to, and recruiting applicants. That means whatever you do – or don’t do – can impact their employer brand, credibility, and perhaps even overall reputation. Companies know this and want to make sure THEY are using the best recruiters that are smart, efficient, and can maintain the utmost professionalism.
2. A great CRM is going to be the most valued tool to build a great relationship with clients. Staffing agency recruiters are bombarded by tasks each and every day, so utilizing a CRM to help manage client communication, tasks, and submissions are going to make sure you’re being efficient AND staying connected. If you’ve never used one, or looking for one with more features, give ApplicantStack a try. It’s feature-loaded, easy-to-use, and has CRM staffing agencies need.

Building great relationships with your clients is a benefit to your business in both the short and long term. What relationship-building strategies or techniques have you utilized that worked for you? Tell us in the comments section!… Read the rest

Why does insulin cost so much to patients in the USA and around the world? Why is insulin, a widely sold drug of which most forms are now off-patent, so incredibly expensive? These are simple questions, but ones with a number of complicated answers. This post will break some of those answers down and point you in the direction of further reading if you want to dive deeper.

1. Only 3 Companies Control 90% of the Global Insulin Market

The ‘big three’ insulin producers – Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi – dominate more than 90% of the world insulin market by value. Often only one of these companies supplies insulin in a country, which means they more or less hold a monopoly there and can set prices as they wish. In some countries, notably China and India, there are domestic insulin companies that can help drive down the price. This means we need more companies in markets like the USA to help bring prices down. We’ll touch on that a bit further down the list.

2. No Generic Insulin

When it comes to the question of generic insulin, we are faced with another complicated issue. Insulin is a therapeutic biological product (or ‘biologic’), rather than a chemically synthesized molecule. This means it cannot be made generic in the same way as other drugs. Creating what is called a biosimilar is a lot more complicated and expensive than just duplicating a chemical molecule. There is a little market incentive to produce biosimilars because it costs nearly as much as making the new drugs, and companies must go through all the approval stages and trials that a new drug is required to go through. Not to mention, current biosimilar insulins on the market – primarily produced by the ‘big three’ – have only reduced the price by about 10-15%. For more on biosimilars and the 2018 FDA announcement read this and this.

3. Pay-for-Delay Schemes & Lawsuits

A ‘Pay for delay’ agreement is a patent dispute settlement in which a generic (in the case of insulin, a biosimilar) manufacturer acknowledges the original patent of a pharmaceutical company and agrees to refrain from marketing its product for a specific period of time. In return, the company receives a payment from the patent-holder. This means it is actually legal for one insulin producer to pay another not to enter the market. A few years ago the company Merck announced plans to sell a biosimilar version of Sanofi’s Lantus. Sanofi sued, and eventually, Merck announced that it was no longer pursuing its biosimilar, presumably due to payments from Sanofi to stay away. If Pay for delay schemes don’t work, the ‘big three’ can still sue other players, prolonging processes and pushing players out of the market because of legal fees and time-wasting. All of these are win-wins for companies and lose-lose for patients.

4. Patents

Why aren’t we seeing more companies making insulin? There are many reasons for this, but patent evergreening is a big one. Patents give a person or organization a monopoly on a particular invention for a specific period of time. In the USA, it is generally 20 years. Humalog, Lantus, and other previous generation insulins are now off-patent, as are even older animal-based insulins. So what’s going on? Pharmaceutical companies take advantage of loopholes in the U.S. patent system to build thickets of patents around their drugs which will make them last much longer (evergreening). This prevents competition and can keep prices high for decades. Our friends at I-MAK recently showed that Sanofi, the maker of Lantus, is no exception. Sanofi has filed 74 patent applications on Lantus alone, which means Sanofi has created the potential for a competition-free monopoly for 37 years.

5. Politics

Companies are not in the habit of throwing money away, and they are not in the habit of staying out of politics. Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi collectively rake in several billions of dollars in profits. That’s not millions, but billions – with a B. We know they spend millions on marketing, but they also spend millions on lobbying politicians and donating to our decision-makers so that they keep quiet about price gouging. Check if your representatives receive contributions from one of the ‘big three’ insulin manufacturers or any pharmaceutical company. Chances are, they do. Not to mention, the revolving door between pharma companies and US Government positions. Our current secretary of Health and Human Services was previously an Eli Lilly executive. Obviously, his interests are not with people, but with power. This is why independent patient voices are so important.

6. Price Fixing

These Business Insider graphs pretty much say it all.

Several lawsuits alleging some form of price-fixing are currently in the works. You can read more here and here.

7. Pharma Marketing Schemes

Physicians in the United States and some other countries are allowed to collect fees from pharmaceutical companies for talks, advice, and more. Supposedly, these are to compensate physicians for their expertise and time. However, they can create loyalty to a company and may influence prescribing habits – a belief shared by some pharmaceutical salespeople. In some countries like India, physicians are allowed to sell and profit off insulin directly through patients, or through pharmacies they themselves own, cutting out middlemen and retail pharmacies. Thus, they lose the incentive to find the lowest price insulin for their patients. Insulin companies also focus on ‘insulin starts or the insulin the physician diagnosing patients begins with. As patients are reluctant to change, a number of marketing and financial incentives are employed to influence this decision.

8. Payment for Influence (or Silence)

Many major key opinion leaders, influencers, and patient advocacy organizations take pharma cash. For example, the two biggest diabetes organizations – The American Diabetes Association and The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – have accepted huge sums from insulin manufacturers. Other groups were actually created by money from the ‘big three, like the World Diabetes Foundation which is funded by Novo Nordisk, and other supposed advocacy groups that are actually doing pharma’s bidding, or at least are highly influenced by them. If this issue is important to you, check the funders of an organization you want to support, and if it’s not transparent, you can ask if they take industry money.

What Can be Done?

Patients are speaking out about these issues all around the world. In the USA where prices have skyrocketed especially, T1International Chapters are being formed where patient advocates are educating and pushing for policy change. You can learn more about the Chapter here and find more information and action related to the insulin price crisis here. Whatever you do, wherever you are – don’t stay silent.… Read the rest

A staffing agency is a business that matches employees with companies that need to fill empty jobs.

Recruiters conduct interviews, hiring procedures, background checks and drug tests with applicants. Many of the positions they fill are entry-level which can lead to long-term careers, although many others require experience.  Agencies even have positions, often referred to as temp-to-hire, that allow workers to be hired by that company after a short trial period of work.

Different temporary services have different hiring processes, but the process typically goes something like this:  To get a job through a temp service, you will first fill out an application. A recruiter will look at your application and resume.  After this, they will interview you to discuss your skillset and the open positions they have. If you are interested in one, you will continue with paperwork.

You may have to fill out a background check form and then take a drug screen. After this process, you will complete the final hiring paperwork. If you are offered a position, you will discuss your date to start work.

Once you start work, you are employed by the staffing agency. If you are ill, you will call the agency office to report an absence. Your paycheck and benefits will be received through the staffing company. The amount of time it takes to be hired by the client will vary; however, it can be based on your performance and dedication.

What Is a Staffing Agent?

Staffing agents can be called by many different names, including recruiter, head hunter, talent officer or employment agent. Regardless of the title, a staffing agent will help you find a job. They will typically ask you about your past experience, skill sets and interests to help find the best position for you. A staffing agent may also help you fill out an application or hiring documents once they have found the right position for you.

What are the benefits of working with a staffing agency?

A staffing agency can give you access to jobs and companies that you would not be able to find otherwise. Businesses use agencies to fill positions that range from entry-level to upper-level management. Some jobs are never listed because companies only use a staffing agency to recruit the best.

By working with a staffing agency, you can get an opportunity to make a great first impression, learn about the company and get your foot in the door at a great workplace.

A staffing agency allows you to apply at multiple companies with one application and process, saving you time. The recruiter will review your information and match it to the best job available for you. If you are not interested, they will continue trying to match your skills to the needs of their clients.

What should I know about staffing agencies?

• You do not have to accept the first position you are offered. You can wait for the right job.
• A recruiter’s job is to find you work. When you come into the office, their goal is to process your application and get you a job as quickly as possible. However, you can ask to wait for a better fit if you feel the job offered is not right for your situation.
• Policies on pay, background checks and drug tests, will vary depending on the agency you choose. Because state laws, client needs or management teams are different depending on your location, no two staffing agencies are exactly alike.
• A poor experience with one staffing office should not prevent you from trying another location or agency later. Most staffing agencies want to get you a good job.
• Businesses have open jobs, and staffing companies find people like you to work these positions.Generally, these businesses need workers to fill immediate jobs, and they also want to find good people from the agencies to add to their own teams. Working through a staffing agency can give you the advantage to start a good career.

What is it like to work for a staffing agency?

When you are working for a short-term staffing agency in areas such as light industrial or light clerical work, you will usually be given an assignment to complete for a local business. A reputable staffing agency will match your skills, abilities and career goals to the open positions.

You will report to the client for work each day. You might only talk to the agency when you have questions about pay or other benefits. It depends on your situation.

How long it takes to get hired on by the client company depends on the company’s needs, your performance and your skills; it could take weeks or months.

Is there a cost to using a staffing agency?

It depends on the agency. Some agencies have fees which are passed along to either clients or employees.

The Ōnin Group does not charge our Teammates for working with us. The pay rate you are offered is the amount you are paid. The only amount withdrawn from your check is the cost of any insurance you pick and any taxes you have to pay.

Some job assignments may require special equipment, such as steel-toed boots or protective eyewear, which you will be responsible for providing; however, some offices may offer to buy it for you and deduct it from your check. This would be an agreement between you and the staffing branch.

Are there people who make a career out of doing temp jobs?

Yes, some people enjoy the flexibility and variety offered in working with a staffing agency.

Some staffing agencies offer great benefits that are sometimes even better than regular employers.  Many positions also offer competitive wages. Between benefits and a good salary, you can support yourself and your family with short-term positions.

What are some signs that your temp job is likely or unlikely to go perm?

In our current job market, unemployment is low and there are few people to take the jobs that employers need filled. What this means is employers are hungry for skilled and qualified workers.

If you are working a job and want to get hired on permanently, your chances are good if you work hard. It is important to ask yourself if you want to stay at your current job or company. If you do not, there is no point in staying, and you should look for the right fit for you. However, if you really like what you are doing and where you work, then do the work to get noticed.

You will need to have great attendance and a good attitude. Pay attention to job postings to figure out the skills you need to get it. Then work on gaining the skills.

Volunteer for special work projects that will teach you the skills you need, find a mentor who can show you, or take classes to learn the skills you need for that promotion. Although a permanent placement is not guaranteed with a staffing agency, your hard work is sure to pay off.

How long does a temp job last?

Your job lasts as long as the client needs you. Some jobs may be a short-term project from the start. Many … Read the rest