9 Tips to Grow Your Medical Staffing Agency

November 15, 2016

Many hospitals, clinics and other medical offices utilize medical staffing agencies to help find sufficient number of nurses, doctors and administrative support staff.

The need for medical professionals of all kinds continues to grow. In an article from allhealthcare.com, it reports that healthcare jobs are expected to grow faster than any other industry. By 2018, the healthcare industry is projected to grow by about 22 percent, with about 3.2 million new jobs.

Your medical staffing agency can be a part of the healthcare industry’s growth by using these tips and techniques to help your agency grow.

Tips to Grow Your Medical Staffing Agency

1. Market Knowledge

Stay up-to-date on the healthcare industry. Knowing what medical professionals and what areas are in need can help you stay on top of and in front of the demand for filling medical staff and administrative support positions.

2. Network

Networking is one of the most important things any business can do. Utilize your contacts and branch out to meet others to help grow your medical staffing agency. Whether it’s an industry affiliate, a potential customer or a possible candidate, networking provides you with insight, tips and resources for your medical staffing agency.

3. Highlight Industry Expertise

If your medical staffing agency specializes in placing certain positions in the healthcare industry, make that prevalent on your website and marketing materials.

4. Payroll Funding

If you’re cautious about or hesitant to accepting new contracts that are bigger than you are used to, payroll funding can help. Many medical staffing agencies utilize payroll funding to bridge the gap of when they need to pay their employees and when their customers pay them. It’s not uncommon for medical staffing agencies to wait 90 days or more for customer payments.

With payroll funding, you’ll no longer have to wait for payment. When your medical staffing agency uses payroll funding, your invoices are paid immediately, giving you the ability to accept new and larger contracts without running into a cash-flow gap.

5. Keep Your Candidates & Customers Happy

Because there are a large number of medical staffing agencies to work with, it’s important to keep your candidates and customers happy. Open communication, added-services and benefits for both your candidates and customers can help your medical staffing agency stand out from others.

6. Utilize Internet Job Boards

Advertise the positions you’re looking to fill on internet job boards. The faster you’re able to fill positions, the happier your customers will be. Of course, make sure you’re placing good, qualified candidates.

7. Industry Associations

Join industry associations and become active in them. Attend as many events as you can that they host to take advantage of networking opportunities. Below are just a few associations that may benefit your medical staffing agency.

• American Staffing Association (ASA): In 2016, the ASA celebrated its 50th anniversary. It’s the main voice for the staffing agency world and provides resources and insights to its members.
• National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO): Founded in 2008, NATHO is a nonprofit association of travel healthcare organizations that helps to promote ethical business practices in the travel healthcare industry.
• American Healthcare Services Association (AHSA): AHSA is the largest vendor management association in the United States. It has contracts with more than 250 staffing agencies in the world. As a member, you’ll have access to a list of top healthcare systems and more.

8. Advertise

Not only is it important to advertise the jobs you’re hiring for, it’s also important to let hospitals, clinics and other medical offices aware that you’re available to aid in their hiring process. From print advertising in trade publications to online advertising on Google and LinkedIn, it’s important to get your medical staffing agency name in front of potential customers.

9. Reward Referrals

Your network of employees, candidates and customers also have a network of valuable connections. If one of them provides your medical staffing agency with a referral that turns into a customer or candidate, reward them for it.