Job Boards vs. Aggregators: What Recruiters Need to Know in Healthcare Staffing

When you’re trying to fill a critical healthcare role, deciding where to post your job is as important as writing the posting itself. Should you choose a job board (like DirectShifts) or a job aggregator (like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or SimplyHired)?

For recruiters and staffing agencies, knowing the difference can save thousands of dollars — and weeks of lost time-to-hire.

The Key Differences

1. Job Boards

• Platforms where recruiters post jobs directly.
  
• Usually industry-specific (e.g., healthcare-only boards).
  
• Often include candidate vetting or credentialing.
  
• Example: DirectShifts.
  

2. Job Aggregators

• Collect job postings from across the internet.
  
• Broad reach but less targeted.
  
• Limited screening or verification.
  
• Examples: Indeed, ZipRecruiter.
  

Pros & Cons for Recruiters

Job Boards (Specialized)
✅ Higher quality applicants
✅ Better industry targeting
✅ Pre-verified credentials (critical in healthcare)
❌ Smaller applicant pool than general aggregators

Job Aggregators (General)
✅ Massive visibility
✅ Easy one-click distribution
❌ High volume of unqualified applicants
❌ More manual screening for recruiters

Why Healthcare Recruiters Are Shifting to Job Boards

Healthcare recruiting has unique challenges: licensing, credentialing, and specialty matching. Aggregators may generate 100+ applications, but if only 2 are eligible to practice in New York, that’s wasted recruiter time.

Data shows:

• Recruiters spend 30–40% less time screening candidates on healthcare-specific boards.
  
• Application-to-hire ratios improve 2–3x when using specialized job boards like DirectShifts vs. general aggregators.
  

Case Study: Cutting Through Aggregator Noise

A large multi-specialty practice in New York City relied heavily on aggregators like Indeed. While job postings received hundreds of applicants, most were out-of-state or unlicensed for NY.

After shifting to DirectShifts:

• 70% of applicants were license-verified for New York.
  
• Time-to-fill for advanced practice roles dropped by 28%.
  
• Recruiters reported fewer “false positives” and more serious candidates.
  

FAQs: Job Boards vs. Aggregators

Q1. Which is better for healthcare recruiters: job boards or aggregators?
Job boards are better for quality and compliance. Aggregators provide reach but require heavier screening.

Q2. Can I use both at the same time?
Yes. Many recruiters start with healthcare-specific job boards and supplement with aggregators for volume.

Q3. Why is DirectShifts better than Indeed or ZipRecruiter for healthcare?
Because DirectShifts pre-verifies licenses and credentials, ensuring recruiters only spend time on eligible candidates.

Q4. Do aggregators verify healthcare licenses?
No. Screening falls entirely on the recruiter.

Q5. Is posting on DirectShifts more expensive than aggregators?
No — DirectShifts typically costs less than a staffing agency fee and provides more targeted results than general aggregators.

Q6. What’s the most efficient strategy for staffing agencies?
Start with DirectShifts (for verified, high-quality candidates). Use aggregators only if the role remains unfilled after niche sourcing.

✅ Key Takeaway: Aggregators provide quantity; job boards provide quality. In healthcare staffing, quality wins. Recruiters who prioritize specialized platforms like DirectShifts save time, reduce compliance risks, and fill roles faster.