Working with Non-Clinical Telehealth Services Vendors
When selecting non-clinical telehealth services vendors it is just as important as with clinical vendors to have a clear understanding of your needs and requirements
Selecting a Telehealth Staffing Agency
Telehealth Staffing Agencies: Recruiting & Managing Virtual Clinicians
Telehealth staffing agencies specialize in recruiting and managing telemedicine clinicians and virtual support staff. While many general healthcare staffing companies expanded into telehealth recruitment in response to the COVID-19 health crisis, some agencies have long focused exclusively on virtual clinician placement and understand the unique challenges of telehealth staffing.
For example, one agency with over a decade of experience in telehealth recruitment now supports over 20 different telehealth roles, including:
- Nurses (e.g., nurse navigators, nurse educators)
- Therapists (e.g., speech, occupational, psychological)
- Physicians, dentists, and radiologists
Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: A Telehealth Staffing Focus
Some telehealth staffing vendors function solely as recruiters, connecting healthcare organizations with virtual clinicians. Others offer clinicians as part of an outsourced clinical service, effectively serving as a “tele locum tenens” provider.
A common example is telepsychiatry services. Many behavioral health organizations—particularly in rural areas—struggle to recruit and retain psychiatrists. However, these organizations often do not require a full-time psychiatrist and instead benefit from on-demand or part-time telepsychiatry services.
Since the early 2010s, vendors specializing in telebehavioral health services have provided psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who:
- Remain employees of the vendor while delivering patient care
- Document clinical encounters directly in the client’s EHR to maintain continuity of care
In contrast, some vendors operate solely as recruitment firms, sourcing telepsychiatrists for direct employment by healthcare organizations—similar to traditional staffing and locum tenens agencies.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Telehealth Staffing Agency
When choosing a telehealth staffing partner, critical factors to assess include:
- Time to placement: How quickly can they fill open positions?
- Placement success rate: What percentage of hires remain in place long-term?
- Recruitment fees & contract terms: Are costs transparent and competitive?
By understanding your organization's specific needs—whether it's temporary coverage, part-time virtual psychiatry, or permanent recruitment—you can choose the right telehealth staffing solution to support patient care and operational goals.
Selecting a Telehealth Law Firm
Selecting a Telehealth Consulting Firm
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Telehealth Technology Vendor Selection
