How to Evaluate and Select a Staffing Agency for Healthcare Success

Posted on: 20 March 2023

How to Evaluate and Select a Staffing Agency for Healthcare Success

In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, staffing shortages and fluctuating patient volumes have made it more critical than ever to partner with the right staffing agency. At Queens Health System (QHS), we understand the importance of having a reliable team in place to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

Whether you’re looking for travel nurses, per diem staff, or long-term placements, choosing the right agency can make a measurable difference in clinical outcomes, staff satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Here’s how to evaluate and select a staffing agency that aligns with your needs and values.

1. Assess Their Healthcare Expertise

Not all staffing agencies are created equal. Look for agencies that specialize in healthcare staffing and have a deep understanding of your facility’s unique challenges. They should be familiar with medical licensing requirements, credentialing, and regulatory compliance.

Questions to ask:

Do they specialize in hospital or clinical staffing?
Are their recruiters trained in healthcare industry standards?
Can they provide case studies or client references?

2. Check for Credentialing and Compliance Standards

Patient safety depends on well-vetted, qualified staff. A reputable staffing agency should have a rigorous credentialing process that includes license verification, background checks, drug screenings, and reference reviews.

Best practice: Ensure the agency follows The Joint Commission or NCQA standards for healthcare staffing compliance.

3. Evaluate Responsiveness and Support

Healthcare moves fast, and so should your staffing partner. Timely communication, 24/7 support, and a dedicated account manager are key indicators of a responsive agency.

Look for:

Rapid turnaround times
On-call support for urgent needs
Clear points of contact for scheduling or issue resolution

4. Understand Their Talent Pool and Flexibility

An agency’s ability to fill your open roles depends on the strength and diversity of their talent pool. Ask about the size and availability of their candidates, especially for hard-to-fill roles like ICU, ER, or behavioral health.

Also consider:

Do they offer both clinical and non-clinical staff?
Can they scale quickly to meet seasonal or emergency demands?
Do they support temporary-to-permanent hires?

5. Review Contract Terms and Transparency

Before signing on, make sure you understand the agency’s rates, cancellation policies, and contract terms. Transparency is essential in building trust and long-term success.

Pro tip: Compare costs—but don’t select solely based on the lowest price. Quality staffing often reflects fair compensation and better candidate retention.

6. Ask About Technology and Integration

Modern staffing agencies use digital tools to streamline scheduling, credential management, and performance tracking. Make sure their systems can integrate with your EHR or workforce management platform if needed.

7. Seek Alignment with Your Culture and Mission

Your staffing agency should be more than just a vendor—they should be a partner who understands and supports your mission. Ask how they screen candidates not just for skills, but for cultural fit and compassion in care.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right staffing agency is an investment in your workforce and your patients. At QHS, we believe in partnering with staffing providers who reflect our values of integrity, excellence, and compassionate care. By following these steps, you can build a staffing strategy that strengthens your team and supports better outcomes for your community.