4 Screening Trends Reshaping Hiring Healthcare Talent

The healthcare sector is projected to add 1.6 million jobs from 2023 to 2033, which is approximately 24% of all jobs expected to be added to the US economy. Yet, according to a study by Merritt Hawkins, a healthcare recruiting and consulting firm, the average time to fill a healthcare position is 49 days. In this climate, efficient and thorough background screening has become more important than ever in finding and securing top talent quickly. 

A robust background screening process is essential for mitigating risks and finding qualified talent quickly. Let’s dive into 4 key trends that are shaping how healthcare organizations are screening their candidates to fill roles efficiently. 

Digital Identity Solutions 

While healthcare is traditionally a hands-on industry, there has been a rise of remote roles. In 2024, 13.5% of healthcare professionals performed their duties remotely, either through telehealth or by handling administrative tasks. However, there is the risk of encountering fraud when hiring workers remotely. It’s essential that organizations protect themselves against identity fraud by using stronger identity assurance levels and methods during their hiring process. The healthcare industry now uses IAL2 as the new standard, which requires identity proofing individuals which can be conducted remotely or in-person by a credential service provider. 

Healthcare organizations should consider implementing a robust identity fraud prevention solution to mitigate identity fraud and improve screening accuracy. First Advantage’s digital identity solutions help spot potential identity fraud or likely errors in candidate data entry even before initiating a background check. 

I-9 Compliance 

Healthcare organizations are required to verify the employment authorization of every new hire, and the Form I-9 is how that process is accomplished. Therefore, proper documents must be presented in order to verify authorization to work in the US. Both employee and employer are responsible for completing the Form I-9. With today’s complex government policies and ever-changing regulations, form retention, and audit managements, an end-to-end I-9 solution has never been more important. 

Many healthcare organizations are leveraging I-9 platforms that integrate with HR systems, enabling automation, secure document storage, and real-time compliance tracking to support a seamless and efficient onboarding experience. Form I-9, like First Advantage background screening, streamlines the new hire onboarding by simplifying employment eligibility verification through digital workflows. 

Drug & Occupational Health Screening 

Drug & occupational health screening practices are undergoing significant transformation. As of 2025, many states have enacted new laws that permit for either recreational and medical cannabis use, and though most of these laws are not in the context of employment, these new laws have prompted healthcare organizations to reassess traditional drug screening employment policies. New screening methodology such as instant oral fluid testing are also being adopted to address recent-use rather than historical use, helping employers balance drug free workplace policies with laws that impact the permissibility of use of cannibis.  

A screening partner with a broad offering of drug & occupational health screening services can help consolidate onboarding to provide a streamlined candidate experience, reduce time-to-hire, and track credentialing or compliance program progress. First Advantage is one of the very few third-party administrators who has integrations directly with Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics. With clinics and collection sites nationwide, most candidates and employees can find a convenient collection site location nearby, receiving results faster. 

There are also many challenges that can arise from manually managing pre- and post-employment drug and occupational health screening programs. Partnering with a provider who can help employers oversee the drug and occupational health screening process can enable healthcare organizations to both simplify and accelerate their screening and onboarding processes. 

Continuous Monitoring 

As one of the most regulated industries, healthcare organizations should consider implementing a continuous monitoring program to mitigate risk, provide real-time alerts on employment qualifications, and to mitigate risk. Consider these common monitoring solutions for healthcare: 

• Criminal monitoring helps identify individuals with reportable criminal histories that happen post-onboard  

• Medical sanctions and exclusions monitoring helps identify any individuals subject to sanctions or barred from participating in federal or state healthcare programs  

• Medical license monitoring provides reporting of up-to-date changes in license status – such as suspensions or revocations of health care licenses.  

Conclusion 

Partnering with a background screening provider that offers a robust suite of services is a strategic move for any healthcare organization. This approach not only simplifies your operations but also improves the overall resilience of your workforce. 

Invest in a provider that delivers digital identity solutions, background screening, verifications, drug & health screening, and post-hire solutions such as monitoring, all in one product suite, and watch your hiring process transform. 

Learn more about First Advantage’s healthcare background screening.