Health Care Staffing Frequently Asked Questions for Job Seekers

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  • What services do health care staffing firms offer?

    Health care sector staffing firms provide a spectrum of services to their temporary and contract employees and clients:

    • Temporary staffing
    • Shift (four-, eight- or 12-hours)
    • Daily staffing (per diem)
    • Longer-term contracts (local or travel)
    • Temporary-to-permanent positions
    • Direct-hire placements

    Assignment lengths can vary. An individual can easily find an assignment (or assignments) to meet his or her current professional and personal requirements.

  • Why should I choose health care staffing for employment?

    If a permanent position is a current career goal, staffing employment offers a proven bridge to permanent jobs. Staffing also offers work schedule flexibility. Flexibility is a compelling draw for health care professionals when considering working in staffing. According to ASA research, 41% of temporary and contract employees working in the health care sector say that flexibility is a reason for choosing staffing for employment.

  • What types of positions do health care staffing firms fill?

    Staffing employees can choose when, where, and how they want to work—all contributing to valuable health care staffing firms fill a wide variety of positions, including nursing professionals (registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, licensed practical nurses); therapists, (physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory); advanced medical professionals; medical technologists; certified nursing assistants; dietitians; social workers; home health care workers; medical records, billing, and coding personnel; case managers; and discharge planners.

  • What positions are in high demand?

    Positions in high demand include specialized registered nurses and advanced practice specialties, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physicians, therapists, pharmacists, and medical staff with experience in specific health information technology systems (coders, billers, and health information and case managers). Allied health care professionals also are needed, such as registered dietitians, medical technologists, and patient care associates.

  • What level of experience is required for a position with a health care staffing firm?

    Candidates must possess the education, state licensure or certification, and training in their particular disciplines to be considered for positions with health care staffing firms. The level of necessary experience varies by staffing firm and job position.

  • What kind of pay and benefits do health care temporary and contract employees receive?

    To attract the most qualified employees, staffing firms offer competitive wages and benefits, including the all-important benefit of schedule flexibility. Many staffing companies offer health insurance, as well as vacation and holiday pay, and some offer retirement savings plans.

  • What are the benefits of working with an ASA member staffing firm?

    ASA members pledge to adhere to a code of ethics and best practices—most of which deal with employee relations. Moreover, because ASA promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices for the staffing industry, members are kept abreast of the latest developments in labor and employment laws and human resource best practices. One of the principal missions of ASA is to encourage high standards of ethical conduct in dealings with employees, clients, and competitors. ASA member firms keep their employees’ and potential candidates’ best interests at heart.

  • How can I find a staffing firm in my geographic area that specializes in the type of work that I do?

    To find a staffing firm that specializes in the health care sector, visit the ASA member staffing firm directory on americanstaffing.net.

  • What can I expect after I apply with a staffing firm?

    After applying and if your profile matches a job opening, a representative of the staffing firm may contact you via email or phone. You may be screened and interviewed by the firm.

  • What type of businesses use health care staffing services?

    Hospitals, acute care facilities, home health care companies, hospice agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, physician practices, outpatient surgery centers, clinics, correctional facilities, schools, pharmaceutical companies, health care software companies, wellness centers, rapid response organizations, government agencies, drug stores, and various health care affiliate organizations of all sizes use staffing services.

  • How big is the U.S. staffing industry? How large is the health care sector?

    Staffing companies employed an average of 3.3 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2015, and over the course of the year, staffing firms hired a total of 15.9 million temporary and contract employees. Approximately 9% of U.S. temporary and contract employees work in the health care sector.