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The Growing Challenge of Hiring Psychiatrists

Author: Lorin Parrella
Date: June 3, 2025
Category: Career Advice

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The Growing Challenge of Hiring Psychiatrists

The demand for psychiatrists in the United States is soaring, and the supply simply isn’t keeping up. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country could face a shortage of up to 14,280 psychiatrists by 2034 (AAMC, 2021). That’s a troubling figure, especially considering how essential psychiatric care is for improving outcomes across healthcare.

From FQHCs and PACE programs to hospitals and private practices, the pressure is on hiring managers to fill psychiatric roles quickly, efficiently, and with confidence. At Greenlife Healthcare Staffing, we’ve developed a formula that works. We actively recruit psychiatrists nationwide and maintain a growing network of licensed professionals through our social media, newsletters, and websites.

Whether you’re replacing a long-time provider or expanding your behavioral health program, here’s what you need to know about hiring psychiatrists in today’s hyper-competitive healthcare landscape.

Why It’s Harder Than Ever to Hire Psychiatrists

Before we get into the how let’s talk about why it’s so difficult to hire psychiatrists today.

  1. Shortage of Talent: The U.S. has one of the lowest numbers of psychiatrists per capita among developed nations. According to Health Affairs, more than 60% of counties in the U.S. do not have a single practicing psychiatrist (Harvard, 2022). That means demand is heavily concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and underserved communities with limited access.
  2. Credentialing Delays: Even when you do find a qualified psychiatrist, the process of verifying credentials and licensing can be slow and frustrating.
  3. Work-Life Balance Concerns: Many psychiatrists are opting for telemedicine or part-time roles to avoid burnout. This makes it more challenging for full-time practices to compete unless they offer flexibility and a strong workplace culture.

The Smart Way to Hire Psychiatrists

At Greenlife Healthcare Staffing, we believe hiring the right psychiatrist starts long before you post a job online. Here are the steps we recommend and the way we support them:

1. Define the Role Beyond Job Description

Hiring isn’t just about filling a seat. The best psychiatrists are a match in both skill and culture. Think about your patient population, your team dynamics, and the setting. Is the psychiatrist expected to work autonomously, or will they collaborate with social workers, therapists, and primary care physicians?

We’ve helped hundreds of clients, from hospitals to private practices, identify what kind of psychiatrist will thrive in their environment. Our team starts with a detailed consultation to understand your unique needs.

2. Recruit Proactively and Broadly

Don’t wait for candidates to find you. We don’t. Greenlife is constantly recruiting psychiatrists across platforms, state lines, and practice types. Because we are always marketing through our newsletters, website, and social channels, we already have access to an active, credentialed talent pool.

That’s how we can find strong candidates quickly. Whether you’re in need of inpatient coverage or a bilingual psychiatrist who’s telehealth-ready, chances are we already know someone who fits the bill.

3. Speed Up the Process with Credentialing Support

The longer it takes to verify a candidate, the more likely you are to lose them to another employer. At Greenlife, we streamline credentialing by handling it in-house. From background checks to license verification, we get it done fast and accurately.

We’ve made it possible for psychiatrists to be work-ready sooner than you can say, “Will you work overtime?”

4. Focus on Culture Fit

A great hire is one that sticks. So, how do you improve retention? When hiring psychiatrists, culture fit is just as important as clinical experience. A mismatch in workplace expectations, communication styles, or values can lead to early departures.

Greenlife recruiters are experts at asking the right questions to uncover what makes each psychiatrist tick. We look beyond the resume to understand personality, goals, and adaptability. That’s how we consistently place providers who succeed in their roles.

5. Offer Flexibility Where You Can

Today’s psychiatrists want flexibility. The American Psychiatric Association reports that more than 80% of psychiatrists believe telehealth is here to stay and should be part of any modern job offering (APA, 2023). If your practice can support remote work, consider hybrid models. It can drastically expand your talent pool.

Partner with a Staffing Expert You Can Trust

Greenlife Healthcare Staffing is trusted by healthcare employers across the U.S., from large hospital systems to independent clinics. We take pride in delivering:

  • Pre-screened, work-ready psychiatrists
  • Customized recruiting for full-time, part-time, or locum tenens needs
  • Fast credentialing and onboarding
  • A 360-degree match in skills and culture

Our clients return to us because we deliver hires that last. We understand your challenges, and we’re ready to help.

Let’s Find Your Next Psychiatrist

There’s no need to go it alone. If you’re ready to hire a psychiatrist who fits your practice and your pace, we’re just a click away. Book a free consultation today to learn how Greenlife can make hiring easy.

👉 Contact us here: https://glhstaffing.com/contact

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