Why Partnering with a Healthcare Staffing Agency Works: Key Benefits for Employers

In recent times, healthcare facilities across the U.S. have seen a dramatic exodus of staff at many different levels. Unfortunately, research shows that this trend is likely to worsen, with the American Hospital Association predicting a shortage of 100,000 critical healthcare professionals by 2028.

The staffing shortfall for certified nursing assistants is expected to be nearly as severe, with 73,000 openings anticipated to remain unfilled. These statistics do not even begin to cover the population of allied healthcare professionals that is only expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

This shortage comes at a particularly challenging time, as the U.S. faces an aging population and increasing rates of chronic illness. Many in the healthcare industry are struggling to find sustainable solutions to address the crisis.

Fortunately, healthcare staffing services can offer a strategic solution for those wondering how to meet the growing demand for clinicians and other healthcare professionals. 

This guide examines the role of healthcare staffing agencies and how they assist hospitals and healthcare facilities in attracting and retaining the talent necessary to deliver exceptional patient care.

What Are Healthcare Staffing Services?

Healthcare staffing services connect healthcare facilities facing shortages with qualified and credentialed professionals who can fill roles. These services may offer direct hire staff as well as temporary professionals who can manage all backend functions on your behalf. Additionally, these staffing agencies can provide consulting services to help you maximize the return on your investment.

Staffing agencies specializing in the healthcare industry can fill clinical roles that directly involve patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. These include professionals such as physicians, registered nurses, and therapists. Staffing companies can also help you fill non-clinical roles, such as medical billers and coders, as well as case managers.

Healthcare staffing firms go beyond just supporting hospitals. They are also suitable for staffing school healthcare roles, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, and more.

Types of Healthcare Staffing Agencies

Healthcare staffing agencies can be generalists or act as specialized healthcare firms. 

For example, some firms can staff for a wide range of healthcare-related positions, such as physical therapists, nurse practitioners, and CNAs. Others may focus on just one type of role, such as a travel nurse staffing agency or others that service allied health, behavioral health, or school nursing professionals.

Choosing an agency with sector-specific experience can provide immense value. Specialized recruiters have in-depth industry knowledge. Consequently, they understand the unique challenges and opportunities across the healthcare sector and can more effectively screen candidates. This often results in more efficient hiring and reduced compliance risk.

Benefits of Using a Healthcare Staffing Agency

Partnering with a healthcare staffing agency for your workforce solutions has several benefits. Consider the following ways that it can make building your ideal healthcare workforce easier.

1. Faster Access to Qualified Candidates

A healthcare staffing agency will have its own pool of pre-screened candidates. Healthcare recruiters understand the industry well, so they know which skillsets, personality traits, and credentials make a high-quality hire and can easily connect you with multiple people looking to build a healthcare career.

2. Reduced Administrative Burden

Agencies providing healthcare staffing solutions take care of the recruiting, screening, and credentialing processes on your behalf. They can also manage backend functions for your contingent workforce so your team can focus on other priorities.

3. Cost-Effective Workforce Management

Agencies can help you minimize the cost-per-hire and time spent on the recruiting process for temporary and permanent placements. Additionally, by partnering with an agency for your contingent workforce that can manage backend tasks, you may be able to avoid some of the costs associated with benefits and payroll processing.

4. Flexible Staffing Solutions (PRN, Contract, Direct-Hire)

Staffing agencies specializing in the healthcare field have access to candidates looking for various types of job opportunities, including contract, PRN, locum tenens, and direct-hire. Healthcare facilities get the opportunity to shape their workforces according to their staffing needs and can scale up or down as needed to meet seasonal demands.

5. Compliance and Credentialing Assistance

What is a healthcare recruiter if not a partner in your success? They can ensure your facility adheres to federal, state, and local regulations in the recruiting process.

With deep experience in medical staffing, a specialized agency will be familiar with the credentials required for each role and can ensure all job seekers possess up-to-date licences and certifications. This is yet another administrative burden removed from your shoulders.

6. Better Retention and Candidate Matching

A healthcare staffing agency will employ proven, rigorous screening and selection processes, which can help you select the right candidates for healthcare jobs. In turn, this reduces the risk of costly turnover and ensures greater stability for increased patient care quality.

Common Misconceptions About Healthcare Staffing Agencies

Many healthcare facility owners and administrators believe that healthcare staffing agencies are too expensive compared to hiring staff in-house. Data from Gallup indicates that hiring an employee can cost anywhere from one-half to two times their annual salary.

A healthcare staffing agency can actually reduce your recruiting, hiring, and administrative costs and offer flexible options for scaling your workforce as needed.

You may have also heard that staffing agencies only offer temporary roles. A healthcare staffing service committed to your success will offer both contingent and permanent placements.

Agencies take the time to get to know your business and discuss your staffing needs in-depth. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, an agency will customize your staffing plan to match your needs and help you adjust over time as conditions shift.

Why Partner With GHR Healthcare?

From advanced practice staffing to placing nursing assistants and beyond, GHR Healthcare offers healthcare facilities decades of expertise. Our experienced team knows how to identify, recruit, and screen high-quality professionals who will contribute to your mission and provide the best patient care.

Because we understand that the healthcare industry operates around the clock, we provide 24/7 live recruiter support to address any questions or concerns your team may have. Our custom, scalable staffing solutions are designed to meet your unique needs and empower you to do what you do best.

GHR Healthcare maintains a commitment to quality and compliance. We offer healthcare facilities the peace of mind that comes with knowing their contingent and direct-hire placements have undergone rigorous screening and background checks and possess all necessary licenses and certifications to practice in the state.

Partnering for Smarter Staffing Solutions

Working with staffing agencies for healthcare offers significant benefits for your facility or business. This includes reducing your cost-per-hire and administrative burden, making hiring more efficient with streamlined access to qualified candidates, offering flexible staffing solutions, and ensuring compliance in background checks and credentialing.

A healthcare staffing partner offers unique benefits, as the agency’s recruiters can offer deep industry expertise that results in more effective screening and candidate matching. In turn, this reduces turnover risks and secures increased ROI.

If you are ready to build a workforce that can help you meet your strategic objectives and patient care goals, contact GHR Healthcare to explore staffing solutions.