Findings released today in the 2012 Advanced Practice Clinician Compensation and Pay Practices Survey Report from SullivanCotter (SullivanCotter), a health care compensation and human resources management consulting firm, and the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), a trade association representing medical groups and integrated health systems, indicated an increase in demand for Advance Practice Clinicians (APCs) as well as an increase in salaries for this group.

The survey revealed a high demand for clinical professionals, as 63% of respondents reported a 17% increase in the APC workforce over the last 12 months and 53% indicated they plan to increase the APC workforce by 15% in the next 12 months. In addition, of 135 organizations responding to APC compensation questions, nearly two-thirds (62%) reported increased salaries with an average and median increase of 3.9 % and 3.0 %, respectively, over the past 12 months. The survey also found that more than half of these organizations (54%) plan to provide salary increases to APCs in the next 12 months, with a projected average and median increase of 3.1% and 3.0%, respectively.

“These findings provide hard data to bolster anecdotal evidence regarding this trend in health care practice,” said AMGA President and Chief Executive Officer Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE. “For years, we have seen the movement towards a more team-based, coordinated approach to patient care. As more and more groups expand these models throughout their organizations, they now will have the tools to systematically track and benchmark changes in this area, which will help them in their strategic and financial planning for continued growth and success.”

“While reported salary increases continue to be moderate, the increases show no sign of abating,” said SullivanCotter Principal Kay Jensen. “Drivers of demand and salary increases include responses to physician shortages and repositioning of the workforce to ensure all medical professionals can work to the top of their practice level.”

More than 275 health systems, hospitals and physician group practices participated in the survey, submitting data for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Midwives, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) with data effective May 1, 2012. Not only does the surveyprovide cash compensation data for APCs, but it also includes data on pay practices such as on-call pay, shift differentials, annual incentive plans and supplemental benefits and perquisites.

The 2012 Advanced Practice Clinician Compensation and Pay Practices Surveyis now available for purchase. If you have any questions about the report visit www.sullivancotter.com or email surveys@sullivancotter.com.