We're excited to launch our new referencing service that allows you to quickly get framework-compliant references from doctors on Messly. The service will launch on May 30th 2023.
In this article we answer common questions about how the new referencing service will work for your agency.
How It Works:
We've recorded a video below which walks through the process of requesting references on Messly. The video covers:
1) Overview of the new service (0:00)
2) The new compliance dashboard (0:23)
2) How to request a reference (1:31)
3) How a referee completes a reference (2:39)
4) Receiving a reference from a referee (4:12)
5) Reporting an issue with a referee or reference (6:12)
Who will have access to completed references and other compliance documents from Docs?
Recruiters will continue to have access to all documents, including completed references, as normal. In addition, your compliance team will also be given logins to Messly to view these documents.
Who from my compliance team will have access to Messly?
We will give your team a single login to Messly access, using the email from your general compliance mailbox. This means that anyone on the team can use this account to access documents.
A new compliance team member has joined, can they access Messly?
Yes, they can just login using your team’s account. We would suggest they read these FAQs carefully before getting started, and they can reach out
Who do I contact if I have a general question?
You can reach the Messly team at support@messly.co.uk. Katie, Tara or another member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
What information do I receive from a Messly referee?
You will receive a framework compliant reference form, an audit log, and a cover-letter addressed to your agency and signed from the consultant. These will be emailed to your compliance mailbox.
What if I have an issue with a reference once it’s provided?
We recognise that from time to time, there may be issues with references. For example, the reference may be incomplete or contain negative responses.
In the first instance, you can report the issue to our reference team using the ‘Report Issue’ feature and our team will follow-up with the referee as needed and resolve the error.
What if there is a date gap in the references provided, or a referee does not look suitable?
We encourage doctors to complete a full reference history and there may be a reason why the doctor has a gap. If you see a gap or are concerned about the suitability of a referee, you can report the issue to our reference team using the ‘Report Issue’ feature and our team will follow-up with the doctor as needed.
How will I get notified when a new reference or other documents are uploaded?
You will receive an email notification when documents are shared with your agency by a Messly doctor. This email will have a link to your compliance dashboard where you will need to login and download the doctor’s documents. You will also be able to see a list of referees and request the reference from them,
What can I do if a reference has still not been provided after a few weeks?
We will continue to chase up the referee. We have a team on hand to contact them by phone and email to ensure that they have seen our request and to encourage them to respond.
How can I let you know if a reference is especially urgent?
If you are close to booking a doctor but are still awaiting references, you can reach out to us via email (see below) and let us know that this is now time-critical. We will push this reference to the front of the queue and do our best to get this back to you as soon as possible.
Can I contact a referee myself?
All communication with the referee will go through the Messly system. Our system is designed to streamline reference requests and centralise communication with referees. If there is no reply from the referee, the Messly team and the candidate will contact them to follow up.
With this new system, the doctor has not given you permission to contact their referees directly.
What if a consultant rejects a reference request, or you get no response?
We will inform you by email that the doctor that the reference request has been rejected. We will encourage the doctor to submit an alternative referee and follow up with them and the referee as normal.
What if I am not happy with the template being used?
We are open to feedback if there are edits, or additional questions that you would like to add. We will collect feedback and then share any updated versions for approval.
A single template will be used for all agencies with no scope to customise to a specific agency however.
What are the rules on liability for references collected through this process?
Messly shall assume no liability for any claims or loss of any kind, arising directly or indirectly, from your reliance upon any reference or ancillary information obtained through this service.
By using this service, including downloading and sharing references, you agree that the relevant provisions of our Terms of Service shall be construed accordingly. Please refer to our Terms of Service for general provisions on limitations of liability.
What if we don’t get the follow-up confirmation email from the referee?
If you have received an email from Messly with the approved reference, but the consultant has not confirmed it, you can reply back to the consultant directly and check if they are happy to confirm the reference.
If you don’t receive a reply, you can use the ‘Report Issue’ to flag this to our referencing team. We will check whether the reference request has been approved and follow-up with the referee to ensure a confirmation email is sent.
What are the fees for using this?
There are no fees for using this service.