87% of in-house physician recruiters feel “called” to their work — but say leadership support, strategic insight and transparent communication are essential to success

A new report from the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR), Jackson Physician Search and LocumTenens.com reveals that in-house physician recruiters — those on the front lines of staffing healthcare organizations — are driven by purpose but often face systemic challenges that can hinder their ability to fully realize their mission.

The report, The Heart Behind the Hire: Exploring the Role of Purpose Among In-House Physician Recruiters, is a companion to an earlier study by Jackson Physician Search and LocumTenens.com, Is Medicine Still a Calling? Exploring Physician Attitudes About Purpose in Medicine. The recruiter research was conducted in July 2025, in partnership with AAPPR, and captures the voices of nearly 200 recruiters working inside healthcare organizations.

“Healthcare starts with hiring, and this research proves what we’ve long believed — our in-house physician and provider recruiters are not just administrative support; they are champions of patient access, community well-being and organizational culture,” said Carey Goryl, CEO, AAPPR. “With 87% feeling called to this work, recruiting and retention are most effective when these advocates for clinicians have a seat at the table.”

What recruiters need now

Surveyed recruiters identified three key enablers that would improve their ability to recruit and retain clinicians:

• 64% cited stronger support from leadership
• 42% emphasized a deeper understanding of organizational culture and staffing needs
• 41% called for more transparent communication with internal stakeholders

Additionally, in-house recruiters may benefit from recruiting partners who can extend the team’s capacity and provide tactical support in pursuit of shared goals.

“These findings aren’t just data points — they’re a call to action,” shared Tara Osseck, regional vice president, Jackson Physician Search. “Recruiters play a vital role as problem solvers, ambassadors and connectors. To maximize their impact, it’s important to include them early in strategic discussions, ensuring they have both visibility and voice in shaping hiring approaches, rather than being brought in only after decisions are made.”

The recruiter’s perspective is strategic — not transactional

As recruiting challenges intensify, leaders would be wise to treat recruiters as essential partners, not just service providers. That means surfacing insights beyond the usual metrics.

“Reporting activity is important, but sharing insights — such as why candidates decline offers, where we see drop-off in the process, and what pipeline data reveals — adds valuable context,” added Osseck. “That kind of transparency helps connect recruiting efforts to broader business outcomes, building trust and credibility with the C-suite.”

Creative solutions require collaborative leadership

Caroline Grounds, account director at LocumTenens.com, emphasized that a shift in mindset — both from recruiters and administrators — can unlock real innovation.

“We’re seeing recruiters who act not just as matchmakers, but as true strategic partners,” Grounds said. “The most effective ones are anticipating needs, building proactive pipelines and offering creative solutions. That kind of impact is amplified when leaders actively engage recruiters in broader planning and give them the room to contribute beyond transactional tasks.”

A hopeful blueprint

Despite systemic challenges, the research shows that in-house recruiters remain hopeful:

• 87% say they feel “called” to their work
• 96% would recommend the career to others
• 79% report high levels of passion for their role

“Every successful placement means better access for patients and continuity for communities,” noted Grounds. “Closing care gaps and improving outcomes is truly a shared mission, from the recruiter’s desk to the boardroom. Alignment across all levels of leadership helps deliver on that mission.”

The Heart Behind the Hire: Exploring the Role of Purpose Among In-House Physician Recruiters can be downloaded from the AAPPR website here.

About the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR)

The Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR) is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare provider recruitment, onboarding, and retention. For more than 30 years, AAPPR has empowered physician and advanced practice provider recruitment leaders to transform care delivery in their communities by providing best-in-class practices, up-to-date industry knowledge, and evolving innovative approaches for hiring, onboarding, and retaining exceptional clinical talent. To learn more or to become an organizational member of AAPPR, please visit https://aappr.org/join-now.

About Jackson Physician Search

Jackson Physician Search is an established industry leader in physician recruitment and pioneered the recruitment methodologies standard in the industry today. The firm specializes in the permanent recruitment of physicians, physician executives and advanced practice providers for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and medical groups across the United States. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the company is recognized for its track record of results built on client trust and transparency of processes and fees. Jackson Physician Search is part of the Jackson Healthcare^® family of companies. For more information, visit www.jacksonphysiciansearch.com.

About LocumTenens.com

LocumTenens.com specializes in optimizing healthcare staffing operations with flexible, hybrid and temporary placement of physicians, advanced practitioners, social workers and psychologists. With a presence in more than 90% of the nation’s top healthcare facilities and supporting 150 medical specialties, LocumTenens.com is dedicated to improving healthcare through innovative staffing solutions, connecting clients and clinicians to deliver exceptional and uninterrupted patient care. Founded in 1995, LocumTenens.com is the largest provider of locum tenens services in the U.S and a leader in the healthcare staffing industry, placing more than 7,000 clinicians annually who deliver care to more than 10 million patients. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, LocumTenens.com is part of the Jackson Healthcare^® family of companies. Learn more at LocumTenens.com.

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