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Choosing an agency

Updated Nov 4, 2026

Comparing agencies takes more than comparing pay.

In short

  • The Joint Commission offers a certification for health care staffing firms.[1]
  • You can look up certified organizations with its "Find the Gold Seal" tool.[2]
  • Compare offers by take-home pay, not the weekly "gross."
What the certification means

The Joint Commission's Health Care Staffing Services certification is an independent review of a staffing firm.[1] Reviewers check the firm on site against Joint Commission standards.[1] Certified firms also track standard performance measures for travel and per diem staff.[1]

Certification is one thing to check, not the only one.

Questions to ask
  • Are hours guaranteed? What happens if shifts are cancelled?
  • How is my overtime rate figured? Read Overtime and your pay package.
  • How are stipends paid, and what if I miss a shift?
  • When does health insurance start and end?
  • How much notice do I get if the contract is cancelled?
Compare offers side by side

Add each offer to Offers to see the real weekly take-home and things to check.

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Sources

  1. Health Care Staffing Services Certification — The Joint Commission. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  2. Find the Gold Seal — The Joint Commission. Checked Nov 4, 2026.