How To Choose a Healthcare Agency

Introduction – How To Choose a Healthcare Agency

In today’s expanding healthcare sector, where care roles are in high demand, it is vital for both employers and agency staff to know how to choose a healthcare agency. With the constant emergence of new agencies that have no experience, making a wise choice has become more critical than ever.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing a healthcare agency, from both the employer’s and worker’s perspectives.

How To Choose a Healthcare Agency – Employers Looking For An Agency

1. Reputation and Accreditation

When you need healthcare staff, the first step is to research potential agencies thoroughly. The longer an agency has been around for, the more likely they are to have a solid reputation. After all, businesses who don’t operate well, don’t last long!

2. Specialisation

What exactly are you looking for? Healthcare agencies can specialise in various areas, such as:

• Last Minute Cover
• 1-to-1 Care
• Home Care
• Temp to Perm

3. The Hiring Process

It’s important to know how an agency hires their staff! For the bare minimum, the agency must have an up-to-date DBS check, and make sure the candidate has all the relevant training.

Remember though, working in healthcare is more than just having the qualifications. An agency should make sure that they are hiring someone that they believe genuinely wants to make a difference, and help those who need it. If you wouldn’t want someone looking after you, then they shouldn’t be looking after others!

Any good agency will be more than happy to discuss their recruitment process with you – just ask!

4. Communication and Support

Clear communication is key in the healthcare industry, and is an important fact when figuring out how to choose a healthcare agency. Ensure that the agency you choose has a robust support system and is responsive to your needs. It’s important to have a dedicated contact team who can address your concerns and help with any staffing issues that may arise.

How To Choose A Healthcare Agency – Healthcare Workers Seeking an Agency

1. Pay & Benefits

As a healthcare worker, you work hard, and deserve to be well rewarded for it! You should be looking for an agency that fairly compensates you for your efforts. On top of this, holiday pay is also very important! You want to be able to go on holiday without worrying about how much money you’re missing out on.

Websites like Indeed allow employees to put their opinions on who they work for. It might be worth checking out before deciding if an agency is right for you!

2. Work-Life Balance

Consider your work-life balance when thinking on how to choose a healthcare agency to work for. Some agencies may offer more flexible schedules, while others may require fixed commitments. What sort of flexibility are you looking for? If you want more freedom, it would be worth looking for an agency that allows you to pick and choose which shifts you want.

3. Dedicated Support Team

The last thing you want is to be left without any help when you have a problem with a shift! Agencies who have a dedicated team to help you, will be able to make sure that you’re always looked after.

4. Putting Their Staff First

If you have an issue with a client, it’s important that the agency you’re working with will have your back! Sometimes you might experience a Manager treating you unfairly, and if this is the case, you need to be able to report it to your agency with confidence.

A good agency should always have your back, and if necessary, should be prepared to lose a client if they are not going to treat their staff right.

Conclusion – How To Choose a Healthcare Agency

Choosing the right healthcare agency is a significant decision for both employers and healthcare professionals. It requires careful consideration of factors such as reputation, specialisation, compliance, communication, and support. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can make informed decisions that benefit your organisation or your career in the healthcare industry. Remember that a well-chosen agency can lead to successful and fulfilling partnerships for both parties involved!