Health Care Recruitment Trends for 2025

The health care industry is constantly evolving, and that poses myriad challenges for health care recruiters trying to ensure organizations have the right people on hand to care for patients. What will recruiters be looking for as we go deeper into the new year?

We reviewed information from the web to determine the key trends likely to govern health care recruiting in 2025 and believe these four areas may be of greatest interest to respiratory therapists:

Soft skills and cultural fit: Health care organizations want to hire people who will adhere to the mission and values of the organization, and hiring managers are increasingly seeking out candidates who demonstrate a willingness to be team players, show compassion for their patients and their coworkers, and exude a positive attitude in everything they do. For many RT managers, these soft skills top the list because even one negative staff member can seriously damage the department.

Technological expertise and flexibility: New and innovative equipment, novel treatments and drugs, and other technology-based advances mean recruiters are seeking people who can rapidly pivot when bedside care changes. Job candidates should emphasize their experience implementing new technology and express their willingness to think outside the box in patient care.

Emphasis on specialized skills: Respiratory therapists can work in a range of settings, but securing a job in an alternative setting, such as long-term care, home care, rehabilitation, or even neonatal-pediatric care, requires a skill set beyond what most RTs receive in school. Earning a specialty credential from the NBRC or taking a certificate course from the AARC in your specialty of choice can greatly boost your chances of entering that specialty.

Lifelong learning: Given the changing nature of the health care field, continuing education is paramount, and hiring managers are most impressed by job candidates who have a proven track record of seeking out additional knowledge and skills, whether through continuing education courses such as those available in the AARC University or by going back to school for a higher degree.

Consider these trends as you seek out new opportunities in 2025.