How To Pick The Right Healthcare Recruiter

There is a new opening in your organization and your internal human resources team is overstretched trying to fill other positions. You could alleviate your crisis by quickly hiring an applicant, but down the road, replacing a less-than-perfect employee is more costly than retaining the right one.

To hire top talent, many healthcare organizations opt to enlist the help of a professional healthcare recruiter. Recruiters simplify the process of filling staff vacancies and help make the process easier and more efficient.

WHY SHOULD I USE A RECRUITER?

When it comes to finding the right candidate for your organization, experienced healthcare recruiters become an extension of your team. They spend a lot of time getting to know the ins and outs of the job, as well as better understanding your organization's culture and values.

Recruiters are able to tap into an extensive network of potential candidates and will work to promote your job opening on different platforms - some of which you may not be familiar with. As candidates come in, the recruiter will evaluate applicants and identify those with the right qualifications, skills and experience to match the needs of the position.

Recruiters find appropriate candidates that will help your organization grow, saving you a lot of time and effort.

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT HEALTHCARE RECRUITER

When it comes to finding a recruiter, you should start by considering the type of position being filled, as this will help determine if you should work with a contingent or retained recruiter.

For facility positions, contingent recruiters allow you to gain access to a large pool of qualified job-seekers. Working with a contingent recruiter also means you won't need to spend your time sorting through resumes and vetting candidates. Your seasoned contingent recruiter is knowledgeable about the qualities that make a good healthcare leader and will take the guesswork out of identifying potential interviewees.

If you're looking to fill a highly specialized executive or c-level role, working with a retained recruiter is recommended. Retained recruiters are well connected in the healthcare field and will take on the search process for you. They will use their extensive network to locate, interview and vet the candidates, before presenting you with the best option.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

When it comes down to it, you need to find a recruiter that you trust and enjoy working with. They aren't just placing a candidate, they're tasked with finding the best fit for your organization. The recruiter you work with should take the time to understand your processes and answer your questions. They advocate for your organization in difficult situations like contract and salary negotiations.

While evaluating recruiters, look at the areas they specialize in and check to see if they have testimonials. If they don't, ask for references or client testimonials so that you can see what the people they've worked with thought about them. You can even check GlassDoor for employee reviews to see what the internal ecosystem is like at that firm. 

Healthcare organizations need to work with a recruiter who can find them a candidate with a high level of expertise and who will be a good fit for the organization. Do your own research - make sure they have your best interest in mind, and you'll be able to save time and money, while hiring the perfect candidate.