Every locum tenens paycheck tells a story, not of spreadsheets or software, but of people. People who care deeply about getting it right.
At Interim Physicians, the Accounting team is the quiet heartbeat behind every provider’s paycheck — the group that turns rows of data into trust, reliability, and peace of mind. Behind each provider’s direct deposit is a team that sees more than numbers. They see the miles driven to serve patients, the meals on the road, and the long hours spent far from home. They make sure every one of those moments is accounted for.
Leading that charge is Controller Jennifer Phelps, who has spent more than 12 years ensuring providers and healthcare facilities can rely on “the numbers.”
“The pressure is real,” Jennifer said. “But accuracy and timeliness are what our facility clients expect and deserve.”
The Rhythm of Reliability
Each week, without fail, the Accounting team works like a well-rehearsed orchestra. They match receipts to travel dates, verify timesheets, and flag anything that doesn’t look quite right. When a provider books their own travel — whether it’s a hotel, rental car, or flight —Accounting coordinates with the Travel department to ensure everything aligns perfectly.
It’s a job that demands patience and precision.
“Travel receipts are our biggest obstacle,” Jennifer explained. “Piecing together documentation from multiple sources takes time.”
Even small details can snowball if left unchecked. Overtime, for example, requires special care.
“If a provider works past their scheduled shift, most clients require a written explanation before approving those hours,” she said. “We work with the provider, account executive, and client to get every detail squared away.”
It’s not glamorous work, yet it’s absolutely essential. This behind-the-scenes effort prevents headaches and delays for everyone else.
From Paper to Precision
When Jennifer joined Interim Physicians more than a decade ago, the process was far from the streamlined system it is today.
“Some receipts were six months old,” she said. “We had to alphabetize everything and invoice manually.”
Back then, receipts came in the mail as literal stacks of crumpled paper, arriving only a few times a year. The team spent hours sorting through folders, manually entering data, and hoping no pages went missing.
Today, the difference is night and day.
“Now we get receipts within a day or two of travel,” Jennifer said. “That means we can invoice right away, alongside the timesheet. It’s a game-changer.”
Technology has made things faster and easier. Even so, the team’s standard of excellence has never changed. If anything, their dedication has only grown stronger.
Where Everything Comes Together
Every journey, from a provider’s shift to a client’s invoice, eventually lands on Accounting’s desk.
“We’re the final stop,” Jennifer said. “We assemble everything—travel, timesheets, receipts—for reimbursement and invoicing. Nothing leaves here unchecked,” she added. “It’s meticulous work, but it prevents delays and ensures accuracy.”
Each document passes through multiple hands, each detail verified by more than one person. It is careful, deliberate work that keeps the Interim Physicians engine running smoothly.
Dedication Beyond Deadlines
For Jennifer and her team, the commitment doesn’t pause when everyone else does.
“If we miss a deadline, our providers don’t get paid,” Jennifer said. “That means we sometimes work through Thanksgiving week or Christmas. The deadlines don’t change, so neither does our process.”
That dedication comes from knowing what’s at stake. Every payment represents someone’s livelihood — a provider who showed up, delivered care, and trusted Interim Physicians to handle the rest.
At Interim Physicians, leaders like Jennifer Phelps prove that accuracy is not just a policy; it is a promise kept week after week, holiday after holiday. Because behind every paycheck is a team that never forgets who’s counting on them.