‘Consultants Corner’ with Sarah Messer on Why Hiring in Healthcare Is Harder Than Ever – and What to Do About It

Author: Sarah Messer

28.07.2025

Read time: 2 minutes

In today’s healthcare landscape, recruiting the right clinical talent is more challenging than ever. Whether you’re a growing audiology network, dental clinic group, or private healthcare provider, the same issue arises: not enough qualified people, and too many critical vacancies.

As recruiters specialising in the healthcare space, we’ve seen this trend escalate dramatically in the past 12 months.

Shortage Meets Specialisation

Demand for audiologists, hearing instrument specialists, and dental professionals is on the rise. According to the BLS, healthcare employment in the US is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031. But training pipelines haven’t caught up – especially in rural or suburban areas where demand is highest.

We recently supported a client needing five audiologists across three states. It took strategic outreach and precise targeting to fill just two of the roles in six weeks. That’s the new reality.

Culture Is the Deciding Factor

Salaries matter, yes. But culture, leadership, and flexibility matter more. Candidates are prioritising work-life balance, values alignment, and the ability to make an impact. Hiring managers who can communicate this clearly – and who genuinely offer it – win the race.

Struggling to Hire Clinical Talent? Here’s What Works.

Hiring in healthcare isn’t getting easier. Talent is scarce. Competition is fierce. But the right approach makes all the difference.

· Sell the “why” Clinicians want purpose, not just a job. Lead with mission, culture, and impact.

· Speed matters Top candidates don’t wait. A fast, clear process builds confidence.

· Think beyond pay Flexibility, leadership, and growth often outweigh salary.

· Involve leaders early Meeting future mentors builds trust. It helps candidates say yes.

· Use a specialist We know this space. We speak their language. We find the right fit, fast.

Hiring in healthcare isn’t getting easier – but it is getting more strategic. If you’re a healthcare leader building a team, your recruitment strategy needs to be as specialist as the roles you’re hiring for.

Need help navigating this? Contact @sarahmesser today for support with your hiring needs.