Staffing shortages cut deep into daily operations, and the ripple effects reach far beyond scheduling. That’s because vacant shifts strain care quality, stretch budgets, and put compliance at risk.
At the same time, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems face growing demand. Critical roles like ICU nurses and allied health professionals remain hard to fill.
In this article, you’ll see which top healthcare staffing companies deliver qualified people, proven processes, and measurable results. But first, let's see what these agencies are and how they support your workforce strategy.
What Are Healthcare Staffing Companies, Agencies, and Services?
Healthcare staffing companies connect you with qualified healthcare professionals when your own pipelines run dry. These agencies recruit, vet, and place candidates in roles that range from bedside nurses to executive leaders. They can help you fill vacancies, stabilize teams, protect compliance, and strengthen continuity of care.
That scale matters because staffing is now a global business. According to Precedence Research, the healthcare staffing market is projected to $44.97 billion in 2025 and could grow to $82.47 billion by 2034. This surge reflects how hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly relying on outside partners.
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For you, this means more agencies competing to offer faster placements, sharper compliance support, and broader access to specialized candidates.
Key Benefits of Partnering With Healthcare Staffing Agencies
The right agency gives your speed, reach, and compliance protections that your internal team can’t always manage alone. This support translates into fewer gaps in care, lower risk, and stronger staffing stability.
Healthcare staffing agencies can offer you:
- Specialized talent pools: Nurses, physicians, allied health, and life sciences professionals ready to fill critical gaps.
- Faster hiring cycles: Reduce vacancy days and avoid costly overtime.
- Compliance support: Credentialing, background checks, and licensing handled on time.
- Scalable options: Travel nursing, locum tenens, per diem, and hybrid permanent staffing models.
- Workforce analytics: Tools for better workforce management and cost control.
Challenges Healthcare Providers Face Without the Right Partner
Working with the wrong agency (or none at all) creates risks you can’t ignore. Vacancies stretch your teams thin, compliance gaps invite penalties, and quick fixes usually turn into costly turnover. You'll experience:
- Staffing shortages: More overtime, burned-out teams, and declining care quality. Hallmark Health Care Solutions reports that 63% of healthcare workers say at least 25% of their shifts go unfilled, which pushes teams to cover extra hours.
- Credentialing delays: Risk of penalties, lost revenue, and operational setbacks.
- Generalist recruiters: Weak specialty networks that keep critical roles unfilled.
- High turnover: Only hybrid agencies that combine short-term staffing with permanent recruitment reduce churn and build more stable teams. According to the ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey, the turnover rate for contract and temporary employees reached 419% in 2022.
Pro tip: If you want to see the full picture behind these trends, check out our guide on 81 healthcare staffing statistics. It breaks down market growth, workforce shifts, and agency performance so you can benchmark your staffing strategy with real data.
TL;DR: Top Healthcare Staffing Companies, Agencies, and Services
- AAG Health: AAG Health specializes in fast, data-driven healthcare staffing with nationwide reach. Typical placements take 55–90 days. We deliver qualified candidates within days and back every hire with a 90-day guarantee.
- HCTec: This firm focuses on healthcare IT staffing and services for hospitals and systems. It supports EHR, cybersecurity, and legacy system transitions across the U.S.
- Favorite Healthcare Staffing: The company offers travel nursing, allied health, and per diem services. It also provides disaster response staffing and client support.
- Insight Global: Insight Global staffs clinical and non-clinical roles through a large candidate network. Its healthcare division also provides IT and administrative support.
- Medical Solutions: This firm is known for its travel nurse programs and hybrid staffing models. Its acquisitions expanded coverage into allied health and per diem staffing.
Best Healthcare Staffing Agencies and Services for Hospitals and Clinics
Healthcare staffing firms play a key role in helping hospitals and clinics close staffing gaps. Each of these firms brings proven expertise in filling critical roles for hospitals and clinics. Below are the best healthcare staffing agencies and services for your organization.
1. AAG Health
AAG Health operates with one clear goal, and that's to help you close staffing gaps quickly and with precision. Unlike firms that rely on outdated databases or generic sourcing, our healthcare staffing services use proprietary data platforms that generate more than 400 candidate inquiries each day.
That reach, combined with a high-touch partnership model, means you see qualified CVs within 72 hours (not months). Our track record shows an 80% success rate on exclusive searches, with average placement times of 55-90 days compared to an industry norm of 120+ days for physicians and APPs.
As a proud member of the American Staffing Association (ASA), we align with national best practices, compliance standards, and industry excellence. Every placement is supported by a 90-day replacement guarantee, which protects you from the financial and operational risk of early turnover.
Also, you don't need to take our word for it. In one case, we helped a regional veterinary health system fill a critical leadership role in just 70 days. This helped them cut appointment backlogs by 22% in the first quarter.
Industries:
Hospitals, specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, veterinary health systems, life sciences organizations, multi-site provider networks
Key Services:
- 24/7 staffing support across clinical and executive roles.
- Physician and APP recruitment with national reach.
- Nurse staffing for permanent and hybrid models.
- Veterinary and allied health recruitment.
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for scalable growth.
Why Work With AAG Health:
With AAG Health, you benefit from faster placements, data-driven sourcing, and 24/7 support that legacy firms rarely match. Our membership in the ASA affirms our commitment to compliance and industry best practices.
We offer you a partner that reduces vacancy times, improves workforce stability, and delivers measurable cost savings without sacrificing care quality.
2. HCTec
HCTec is a healthcare IT staffing and services company headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. The firm supplies hospitals and health systems with IT professionals who focus on electronic health record (EHR) implementation, cybersecurity, service desk operations, and legacy system support.
With more than 500 staff and four U.S.-based service centers, HCTec provides 24/7 coverage to clients across all 50 states. Independent industry ratings note its presence in the IT outsourcing space. And in 2022, the company received recognition from KLAS after acquiring Talon Healthy IT Services.
The company reports support for more than 300 hospitals and over 15,000 placements nationwide.
Industries:
Hospitals, health systems, outpatient providers, and government facilities
Key Services:
- IT staffing for healthcare-specific roles.
- EHR implementation and optimization support.
- Cybersecurity and data protection solutions.
- Service desk and application support models.
- Legacy system management and transition services.
Why Work With HCTec:
HCTec focuses on healthcare IT, while working with hospitals and health systems to address specialized technology needs. The firm also offers partnership and relies on a structured vetting process to supply candidates with hard-to-find skills.
3. Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Favorite Healthcare Staffing was founded in 1981 and operates as a national agency with over four decades in the market. The company provides many workforce services, including per diem assignments, travel nursing, permanent placement, and managed services programs.
In 1991, it opened a 24/7 National Service Center to support clients and clinicians with round-the-clock assistance. The firm has maintained that model since. Over time, Favorite has added new divisions, including allied health and non-clinical staffing in 2006. It also launched an emergency response unit.
That unit has supplied personnel during large-scale events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry rankings list the agency among the largest U.S. staffing firms, including 8th place in travel nurse staffing in 2022.
Industries:
Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, government agencies, disaster response organizations
Key Services:
- Per diem and travel nursing.
- Allied health and non-clinical staffing.
- Permanent placement.
- Emergency response staffing.
- Managed services provider (MSP) solutions.
Why Work With Favorite Healthcare Staffing:
The company offers 24/7 support, disaster response staffing, and managed services programs. Its Joint Commission certification in Health Care Staffing since 2005 signals ongoing compliance with industry standards.
4. Insight Global
Insight Global is a large staffing company with a healthcare division that connects hospitals and clinics with clinical and administrative staff. The firm has over 20 years of experience and operates in more than 50 countries.
Its approach relies on a network of pre-screened candidates, which it uses to shorten hiring timelines. Each placement is backed by the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, which indicates compliance with healthcare staffing standards.
Client feedback is measured through Net Promoter Score surveys. The company reports a 68% score, compared to a significantly lower industry average.
Industries:
Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, healthcare IT, administrative support, multi-site health systems
Key Services:
- Clinical and allied health staffing.
- Advanced practice provider recruitment.
- Non-clinical and administrative placements.
- Healthcare IT support roles.
- Consulting and project-based services through Evergreen.
Why Work With Insight Global:
The company offers fast hiring timelines, Joint Commission certification, and a national scale. Its healthcare division also provides consulting support in addition to direct staffing.
5. Medical Solutions
Medical Solutions is a healthcare staffing company known for its travel nurse programs and broader workforce services. Over two decades, the company expanded through acquisitions. This includes PPR Travel Nursing in 2017, Aureus Medical Group in 2019, and Host Healthcare in 2022.
These moves created what it calls a “healthcare talent ecosystem,” which now ranks among the top five U.S. staffing firms. The company reports that over 1 million clinicians have been pre-screened across its network. These candidates span both nursing and allied health roles.
One example of its work is a FocusOne Solutions case study, where a client relying on travel nurses faced high costs and unstable staffing. Medical Solutions introduced a “try-before-you-buy” model that cut conversion times from 26 to 13 weeks.
The approach improved stability, reduced financial strain, and prompted the client to renew its contract for another year.
Industries:
Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, health systems, and strike staffing clients
Key Services:
- Travel nursing and allied health staffing.
- Rapid response and strike staffing.
- Managed Services Programs (MSP).
- Per diem and hybrid staffing models.
- Permanent hire and conversion-to-permanent models.
Why Work With Medical Solutions:
The company offers travel nursing, rapid response staffing, and hybrid workforce models. It also incorporates technology platforms like Matchwell to manage per diem coverage.
6. Cross Country Healthcare
Cross Country Healthcare is a publicly traded staffing firm with more than three decades in the industry. The company began with travel nurse staffing and later expanded into allied health, locum tenens, education, and per diem services. It currently operates nationwide and maintains relationships with hospitals, clinics, schools, and health systems across all 50 states.
In recent years, Cross Country has pursued acquisitions to diversify its offerings. These include Medical Staffing Network in 2014, Mediscan for school-based staffing, and HireUp Leadership in 2022. The firm also reports using vendor management software and predictive analytics to support workforce planning.
In one case study, Cross Country filled 12 positions in 12 months, while presenting candidates within 7 days on average. The outcome shows the firm's ability to scale when clients face multiple vacancies in a short time frame.
Industries:
Hospitals, health systems, clinics, schools, government facilities, home health providers
Key Services:
- Travel nursing and per diem staffing.
- Allied health coverage.
- Locum tenens and physician staffing.
- Education and school-based staffing.
- Managed Services Programs (MSP) and workforce consulting.
Why Work With Cross Country Healthcare:
The company offers travel nursing, education staffing, and workforce consulting. It also applies predictive analytics to anticipate staffing needs and manage scheduling more efficiently.
7. Soliant Health
Soliant Health provides staffing services across healthcare and education. Over the past three decades, the firm expanded from pharmacy placements into travel nursing, allied health, and school staffing.
As part of the Adecco Group, Soliant gained access to global resources while maintaining a domestic focus. Today, it deploys more than 10,000 professionals nationwide in hospitals, clinics, and schools.
One example of its work is a partnership with a large Houston school district serving 96,000 students. Over seven years, Soliant doubled its placements of special education staff and achieved a 100% renewal rate for speech-language pathologists. Roles included SLPs, SLPAs, educational diagnosticians, and school psychologists.
Industries:
Hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, pharmacies
Key Services:
- Travel nursing assignments.
- Allied health staffing (PT, OT, SLP, respiratory therapy, imaging).
- School-based staffing for therapy and education roles.
- Pharmacy staffing (clinical and retail).
- Teletherapy staffing solutions.
- Interim leadership and direct hire recruitment.
Why Work With Soliant Health:
The firm focuses on travel nursing, allied health staffing, and pharmacy services. It also provides teletherapy clinicians and interim leadership to support healthcare facilities facing skill gaps.
8. Supplemental Health Care (SHC)
Supplemental Health Care (SHC) began by staffing traveling psychiatric nurses and later expanded to cover more than 100 healthcare specialties. The company provides workforce services across acute care, allied health, behavioral health, and education. Its operations span hospitals, home health, and correctional facilities.
SHC's services combine high-touch client engagement with technology, including the SHC WeConnect platform, which streamlines communication and scheduling. The firm reports measurable scale, including more than 400,000 home health assignments and over 1 million patient care hours in a single year.
One example comes from home health staffing. SHC’s strong volume reflects its ability to meet recurring demand for shift-based care in the community setting.
Industries:
Hospitals, home health agencies, behavioral health centers, correctional facilities, schools
Key Services:
- Travel and local nursing.
- Allied health staffing.
- Home health assignments.
- Behavioral health staffing.
- Education-based staffing solutions.
Why Work With SHC:
The agency offers 24/7 support, home health coverage, and behavioral health expertise. It also uses tech-enabled platforms to improve workforce coordination.
9. Weatherby Healthcare
Weatherby Healthcare specializes in locum tenens placements for physicians and advanced practice providers. The company became part of CHG Healthcare in the early 2000s. It continues to operate under its own brand, serving hospitals, clinics, and government facilities nationwide.
Weatherby’s focus on temporary coverage means it has developed processes to credential providers, arrange travel, and manage assignments across state lines. Its network spans multiple specialties, including cardiology, anesthesiology, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
Industries:
Hospitals, community clinics, rural practices, government facilities (VA and IHS)
Key Services:
- Physician locum tenens staffing.
- Advanced practice provider coverage (NPs, PAs, midwives).
- Credentialing and privileging support.
- Travel and housing coordination.
- Select permanent placement in certain specialties.
Why Work With Weatherby Healthcare:
The agency focuses on locum tenens expertise, nationwide physician coverage, and credentialing support. It also provides travel and housing arrangements, which makes the temporary staffing operationally easier for client facilities.
10. Amergis (Formerly Maxim Healthcare)
Amergis is a long-established staffing provider with over 35 years in the industry. The company underwent a rebrand in April 2024 to distinguish its staffing operations from Maxim’s separate home health business.
Now, Amergis offers many services, from travel nursing and allied health staffing to physician locum tenens and educational placements. With more than 70 offices nationwide, it combines national scale with localized recruiter support.
One recent change is its investment in workforce technology, including MaxView, which gives clients and clinicians tools for scheduling and engagement. While it retains Maxim’s legacy infrastructure, the rebrand marks an effort to streamline identity and expand into school staffing.
Industries:
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, schools, government healthcare facilities, and correctional health
Key Services
- Travel nursing and per diem coverage.
- Allied health placements across multiple specialties.
- Physician staffing through a locum tenens division.
- Non-clinical and revenue cycle roles.
- Education staffing for school systems.
- Managed Services Provider (MSP) coordination.
Why Work With Amergis
Amergis offers a broad service mix and a national office network. For clients, the differentiator is travel nursing, but also the ability to cover education, government, and non-clinical roles under one provider.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Healthcare Staffing Partner
A strong agency won't just fill your vacant healthcare jobs. It will help you protect quality and reduce hidden costs tied to vacancies. That’s why you need to look beyond broad promises and focus on measurable capabilities.
You should look for:
- Depth of talent pool: Size alone is not enough. Ask how engaged the candidates are and how frequently they accept assignments. A stagnant list signals weak pipelines, while active engagement means faster placements of qualified clinical talent.
- Credentialing turnaround: Temporary providers are only useful if they clear requirements quickly. The best agencies prove they can move files through hospital privileging and state licensing without bottlenecks.
- Scheduling flexibility: Night shifts, weekends, or rotating coverage usually go unfilled. A true staffing specialist can backstop your internal scheduling team with reliable depth across shifts.
- Regional expertise: Demand for roles like ICU nurses or oncology physicians varies by geography. An agency with local market insights and reimbursement knowledge can anticipate shortages before they hit your facility.
- Coverage reliability: Last-minute cancellations erode trust and disrupt operations. Ask about systems that guarantee coverage, including backup pools or a digital platform that tracks confirmations in real time.
These factors separate a partner that reduces risk from one that adds it. When you know what to ask, you protect both your workforce and your bottom line.
Partner With AAG Health to Build a Stronger Healthcare Workforce
Choosing the right healthcare staffing partner can shape your care quality, compliance, and financial performance. The best agency helps you close shortages, cut delays in credentialing, and stabilize your teams.
At AAG Health, we combine proprietary sourcing platforms with a high-touch partnership model to deliver qualified candidates faster than industry averages.
If you’re ready for a partner that delivers measurable results, contact AAG Health today. We’ll help you strengthen your workforce and protect patient outcomes.
FAQs
What is the best healthcare recruiting company?
The best healthcare recruiting company is AAG Health because it provides quick access to vetted clinicians, backed by data-driven sourcing and a 90-day replacement guarantee. This combination reduces the risk of extended vacancies and helps stabilize care delivery.
How fast can staffing agencies fill hard-to-cover clinical roles?
On average, staffing agencies take around 90-120 days to fill healthcare positions, especially in highly specialized areas. However, AAG Health shortens that timeline significantly, with most roles filled in 55-90 days. In fact, you’ll start receiving the first CVs within 72 hours, even for challenging specialties.
What is the best recruiting service?
The best recruiting service is the one that combines speed, quality placements, and cost efficiency. For instance, AAG Health provides 24/7 support, an 80% placement success rate on exclusive searches, and 50-70% savings compared to contingent models.
Can agencies provide both clinical and non-clinical staff?
Yes, many agencies cover both, ranging from nurses and allied health professionals to coders, billers, and administrative staff. That mix allows you to work with one vendor across multiple staffing needs, though effectiveness depends on the agency’s expertise in each area.
What are the largest recruitment agencies?
National firms like Medical Solutions, Cross Country Healthcare, and AMN Healthcare are among the largest by revenue. Their size gives them reach, but what matters for you is whether their scale translates into consistent results in your market. Sometimes, smaller and mid-sized agencies like AAG/H deliver faster placements, stronger service, and deeper specialization because they stay closer to client needs.
