"Staffing agency" covers a lot of ground, and if you've never worked with one — as a facility or as a clinician — it's reasonable to ask what you're actually getting. Here's the straightforward version.
What an agency does for facilities
A healthcare staffing agency maintains a pool of vetted, credentialed clinicians and matches them to open shifts and assignments. When you work with one, the agency typically handles:
- Recruiting and vetting — sourcing candidates, verifying licenses and certifications, checking references and backgrounds.
- Credentialing and compliance — keeping documentation current so a clinician can legally and safely work in your setting.
- Employment administration — the clinician is usually the agency's employee, so payroll, taxes, and workers' comp sit with the agency, not you.
- Matching and scheduling — pairing the right license, specialty, and experience to your unit and shift.
- Backfill — if a placement falls through, replacing them is the agency's problem to solve, not yours.
You pay an hourly bill rate that covers the clinician's pay plus the agency's services. That rate is higher than a staff employee's wage — what you're buying is speed, flexibility, and zero employment overhead for variable demand.
What an agency does for clinicians
For nurses and allied health professionals, an agency is a way to work flexibly without managing a dozen separate facility relationships yourself:
- One application and credentialing process unlocks shifts at many facilities.
- You choose assignments that fit your schedule — per diem, contract, or travel.
- The agency negotiates rates and handles payroll, so you get paid reliably for every hour.
- A good local recruiter learns your preferences and brings you opportunities that actually fit.
When an agency makes sense — and when it doesn't
Use an agency when demand is variable (census swings, seasonal patterns), when you need coverage faster than a hiring cycle allows (callouts, leaves, resignations), or when the role is hard to fill locally.
Hire directly when the need is permanent, full-time, and stable. Agencies are a flexibility tool, not a replacement for a strong core staff — and an honest agency will tell you exactly that.
How to evaluate an agency
Ask any agency you're considering:
- Are your clinicians your employees, and who carries liability and workers' comp?
- How do you credential, and can you share your checklist?
- What's your realistic fill time for my role types in my market?
- Who is my point of contact after hours?
- Can you provide references from facilities like mine?
Local matters here. Interim HealthCare Staffing of Minneapolis is independently owned, based in Bloomington, and part of Interim HealthCare — the nation's first healthcare staffing company. We staff hospitals, clinics, and senior living communities across the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota. Questions? Call (612) 444-JOBS.
Frequently asked questions
What does a healthcare staffing agency do?
A healthcare staffing agency recruits, credentials, and employs clinical staff — RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and allied health professionals — then places them at hospitals, clinics, and senior living facilities as needed. The agency handles vetting, licensing verification, payroll, and workers' compensation, so facilities get flexible coverage without the employment overhead.
How does a healthcare staffing agency vet its clinicians?
Reputable agencies verify current licensure and certifications, conduct background checks and reference checks, confirm specialty experience, and maintain ongoing credential tracking to ensure documentation stays current. Before working with any agency, ask for their credentialing checklist.
When should a facility use a staffing agency instead of hiring directly?
Use an agency when the need is variable, time-sensitive, or temporary — covering a sick call, filling a leave of absence, handling seasonal census increases, or bridging a vacancy while you recruit. Hire directly when the role is permanent, full-time, and stable.
What questions should I ask a healthcare staffing agency?
Ask: Are clinicians the agency's own employees, and who carries workers' comp and liability? How do you credential, and can you share your checklist? What is a realistic fill time for my role types in my market? Who is my after-hours point of contact? Can you provide references from similar facilities?