What to Look for When Selecting the Right Laboratory Staffing Agency for your Needs
Entrusting your PA and histotech searches to a reputable laboratory staffing agency can significantly improve the chances of finding the best available candidates for your open position. A qualified recruiting firm can also save your team precious time and energy, enabling your staff to stay focused on other essential laboratory requirements.
It's important to remember that all lab staffing firms are not the same. Knowing some of the most critical points to consider and most relevant questions to ask can help you quickly zero in on the right agency for your open opportunities. Some key considerations when evaluating a firm include:
Established History
A quality staffing team doesn't need to have decades of operational tenure, but it does need to have a successful history of placing skilled and experienced pathologists' assistants and histotechs at labs similar to yours.
Pathology Lab Experience
Working with a recruiter who has actual pathology lab experience can directly influence and expedite the hiring process, from open to close. A recruiter who has worked as a pathologists' assistant knows how to source candidates with the hard and soft skills needed for success.
Extensive Network of PAs and Histotechs
The pathologists' assistant talent pool is relatively small, with only approximately 2,300 pathologists’ assistants in the U.S. The low number of qualified PAs can prolong the sourcing process for lab leaders. A staffing agency with an extensive network of pathologists’ assistants can accelerate your search, pinpointing potential candidates as quickly as possible.
Vetting Process
Interviewing and vetting pathologist assistants applying for an open position often becomes a full-time job, pulling pathologists and other lab executives away from their everyday responsibilities. When assessing laboratory staffing agencies, always ask about vetting practices to ensure they are thoroughly screening all candidates' qualifications and credentials before you receive their application.
Temporary and Permanent Candidates
Many lab executives assume they must fill their open positions with a full-time, permanent resource. However, this is not the case. There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all hiring. Grossing requirements, medical trends, current budgets, and a multitude of other factors make it necessary for anatomic labs to leverage the benefits of an agile staffing model that includes both permanent and travel pathologists' assistants and histotechs. A travel pathologist assistant or histotech offers an ideal, cost-effective solution for short-term openings, or even as a temporary resource while seeking the right permanent candidate. When establishing a partnership with possible recruiting firms, confirm they have experience in placing both travel and permanent grossing professionals and will source the best fit for your current opportunity.
Contact Nicklas Medical Staffing Today
Contact Nicklas Medical Staffing today to learn more about the benefits of partnering with a laboratory staffing agency. Or, download our FREE Histotech and Pathologist Assistant Salary and Hiring Guide today.