How Pick the Best Medical Staffing Agency

Summary: Medical staffing employment trends such as radiology, nursing and OT and PT within hospitals continue to be hard-pressed to use the services of staffing agencies. Shortages seem to have a slight affect in facilities using the services of staffing agencies.

With today's job market looking more like a roller coaster ride at your local theme park, navigating job sites and postings can be extremely stressful. The last thing you need when looking for a job is added stress. Partnering with a medical staffing agency can relieve a lot of this stress. Whether you are an occupational therapist, therapist assistant, traveling nurse, or physical therapist there are plenty of jobs out there waiting for you. Having the right medical staffing recruiter in your corner will go a long way to getting you back to work today. And this is simple as picking the right nurse staffing Washington DC firm.

Here few things to consider when picking an agency:

Credible Agency Name

Technology is advancing the fluidity of today's job market, there is a host of start-up companies launching to meet present day job demands. This can be a good thing because more medical staffing agencies can better search for you; but, it can also be a risk if the agency has little to any understanding of what the specific demands of an open position may require. As time continues, the agencies with the best understanding of how to fit the right person for the right position will standout. This is why it's important to research staffing agencies. Research their providers and don't hesitate to ask a provider what they think of the agency. Finding the right staffing agency Bethesda Maryland, with a credible respected name, in today's fast and expanding job market will go a long way with your own peace of mind.

Sustainable contract lengths

When interviewing a staffing agency its important to ask about their average contract length. Short-term, week to two-week contracts, would be great if we all had short-term bills associated with our daily lives! The reality is you've made an investment in education and training to reach the level you have professionally. The last thing you may want is to be treated like day labor living from one day to the next. There is no doubt the traveling medical industry is booming with all its perks and flexibility; however, you still need to know the contracts you take are going to be able to sustain for a period of time and help with your own needs financially. Asking the average contract length is an important issue and better allows you to plan logistically and financially for your personal needs.

Contractor vs. Employee

Maybe one of the overlooked aspects of traveling medical staff is how one is paid on the contract. Most common is the agency lists you as an "independent contract" (1099), thus making you responsible for any and all taxes you pay. Your checks are fully yours, but you also have to track receipts for expenses, licensing, fees, etc. if you plan to deduct or itemize on your taxes. This can be quite a hassle, especially if you're filing for multiple contracts in a year in multiple states. One of the most ideal situations is to find an agency that will take you on as their employee (W-2) versus listing you as a contractor (1099). This simply reduces the hassle of tracking receipts and allows you to focus on your profession. Again, this is a simple thing to find out by just asking your potential staffing agency.

Agency-Staff Relationship

Understanding how the agency comes to know and treat you, as a staff member, is a critical item. This industry is booming and it's a land-rush to secure contracts with health care providers today. The agencies that place their concern with simply securing contracts will treat their staff like cattle and simply pull your file and offer you a contract "take-it-or-leave-it" style. Ever take a bad contract? If so, then its probably because they agency really had little to no understanding of who their staff was and who might be the best fit for the job. Having a working - dare I say - 'friendly' relationship with your staffing agency doesn't have to be a dream. Take the time to see how they want to get to know you. Having a good relationship with the agency will help ensure every contract you get is a good fit for you and your professional experience.

Job Opportunities

Lastly and most importantly, check the agency's job listings. Research to see if it's job lists are rotating and continually being updated with new opportunities and new providers. This will tell you a lot about how the company is viewed by the medical industry. Also it will show you what health care providers are continually using them and give you the chance to gauge their reputation too. And ultimately, the more opportunities for you to work the more chances you have to grow professionally.