How to Identify the Best Healthcare Staffing Agency

The need for staffing in the healthcare industry is on the rise. As a result, finding the best healthcare staffing agency becomes a primary concern for both healthcare facilities and traveling professionals. 

Keep in mind that in a highly specialized industry like healthcare, staffing isn’t just about filling vacancies — it’s about finding the right fit. 

Whether your concern is a staff shortage, a surge in patient census, or vacancies for specific roles, it’s critical to build your healthcare dream team by finding the right talent.

As industry experts here at Lucid Staffing Solutions, let us help you better understand the important factors to consider before choosing a healthcare staffing agency.  

How to Choose the Right Healthcare Staffing Agency in 8 Ways

The baseline for a reputable staffing agency is workforce proficiency and staffing specialization. However, other important factors are also involved, from identifying workforce needs and finding the ideal agency to verifying the agency’s track record and employee retention rate.

Let’s understand how these factors help in choosing a staffing agency:

1. Understand Your Staffing Needs

The first step is to identify your requirements. Before onboarding the professionals, healthcare facilities should review the number of staff, required specialization, the kind of patients they intake, and whether the vacancies are temporary or permanent.

For technologists, it’s beneficial to choose an agency that offers fulfilling opportunities, preferred locations, and a chance to upskill. Hence, partnering with a staffing agency like Lucid Staffing Solutions that understands and adheres to your needs will benefit both parties.

1. Find the Right-Sized Agency

People don’t usually understand how beneficial it is to find an ideal-sized staffing agency that will meet all of their demands without compromising the service quality. 

Yes, we do understand the hype about big staffing agencies, but are they worth it? Sure, they might have more internal employees and healthcare jobs, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into better service. More often than not, they lack the personalized touch, and candidates end up being treated like just a number rather than receiving the genuine care and attention they deserve.

On the other hand, small staffing agencies can offer customized attention but are likely to have limited resources and job options to explore. 

We always advise our clients to strike a balance somewhere in between, where quality and professional excellence go hand-in-hand. At Lucid Staffing Solutions, you get the desired attention and customized service to meet your staffing goals. 

1. Check the Agency’s Reputation and Credentials

Choosing a reputable staffing agency with the necessary credentials can prove to be beneficial in the long run. 

Any agency can portray themselves as the best and most reputable one, but avoid going with their own words. Instead, do the research yourself and read the reviews and testimonials to verify their track record. 

Additionally, check if the agency is licensed, accredited, and has a strong track record of successful placements. Likewise, an agency that has set good examples of fair practices, good benefits, and better career development opportunities should be ideal for travel professionals. 

Ultimately, it is a trusted agency like Lucid Staffing Solutions with an excellent reputation that helps build confidence in both employers and job seekers.

1. Evaluate the Quality of Candidates

One of the basic requirements for scaling a staffing agency is the quality of candidates. For healthcare facilities, the quality of candidates the staffing agency provides is essential to ensure excellent patient care. It should be of utmost priority to check the agency’s pre-screening and vetting processes, including background checks, qualifications, and experience.

By the same token, travel professionals should equally ensure that the agency maintains high standards for the facilities they work with and offers jobs in reputable healthcare settings with a strong support system.

1. Assess the Agency’s Compliance

Before partnering with an agency, healthcare facilities, and professionals should assess the agency’s compliance to avoid any mishaps in the future. Complying with healthcare regulations is non-negotiable, whether you’re hiring staff or looking for your next job.

Healthcare facilities must partner with agencies that strictly adhere to all candidates’ proper credentials and licenses.

Likewise, technologists working with an agency that maintains high standards of compliance guarantee that their assignments will comply with industry regulations and safety protocols.

We at Lucid Staffing understand and always abide by the state and federal laws that are important to protect against potential legal and regulatory issues.

1. Transparent Communication and Support

One of the headfast rules of partnership is maintaining good communication. The same goes for healthcare facilities, travel professionals, and staffing agencies. Yes, project management within each organization is crucial, but so is communication between all involved entities in order to keep everyone on the same page.

An ideal agency is one that will provide regular updates, quick responses, and consistent support throughout the staffing process. For healthcare professionals, look for an agency that is transparent, responsive, and meets the assignment expectations as well.

Healthcare facilities and travel healthcare professionals should shake hands with an agency that works around the clock. Having 24/7 backup support leads to efficient working with low to no chances of mishaps.

1. Flexibility in Customizing Staffing Solutions

The healthcare industry is demand-sensitive with an ever-fluctuating staffing. That is why there is a need for customized staffing solutions. An ideal agency such as Lucid Staffing will offer flexibility without compromising the service quality. 

We understand that the need for staffing can change due to patient volume, specialties, and shifts in healthcare facilities.

Likewise, travel professionals prefer agencies offering a variety of assignment lengths, locations, roles, benefits and a healthy space for growth. 

Overall, an agency that is competent enough to manage the fluctuating demands should be your ideal choice.

1. Agency’s Candidate Retention Rates

Always remember to check the retention rates of a healthcare staffing agency, as it speaks volumes about its quality. A good candidate retention rate is beneficial for healthcare facilities as well as professionals.

A high retention rate implies that the concerned agency is providing top-rated medical professionals who are a good fit for the facility. It shows they are an ideal employer for their clinicians, provide adequate benefits, offer incentives to boost retention rates, and encourage contract extensions when needed.

On the other hand, a significant retention rate for medical staff suggests that the agency is working in their favor. An ethical staffing agency ensures that potential candidates get good pay, fulfilling assignments, a support system, and a healthy space for growth.

Lucid Staffing Solutions is clinician-owned, so we know what matters to you most and provide the care you deserve.

Let’s Build Your Healthcare Dream Team Together!

The rise of staffing shortages has resulted in an ever-growing need for flexible and reliable healthcare staffing solutions, making it important to choose the right healthcare staffing agency and successfully thrive in the industry. 

At Lucid Staffing Solutions, we are proficient in connecting top-tier professionals with healthcare facilities and helping travel medical professionals find satisfying roles. You just have to convey your needs, and we’ll find the perfect fit for you.

Let’s redefine the working of a dedicated staffing agency. Contact us now to get started!