6 Top Trends in Federal Healthcare: What Candidates Should Know
The federal healthcare sector is evolving to meet new challenges, such as worker shortages, technological advancements, and patients' changing medical needs. Some changes may not affect healthcare employees, but many do. This is why it is crucial to stay updated with the industry's direction.
Most changes in federal healthcare involve staffing solutions, such as remote work and travel nurse staffing. Some even focus on using game-changing technology previously unavailable in many government hospitals. Understanding these trends can help you stay competitive in the ever-evolving nature of federal healthcare.
Top Trends in Federal Healthcare
If you’re seeking to start or improve your career in federal healthcare, here are the primary workforce trends you should not miss.
1. Increase in Temporary Hiring
Temporary staffing in the healthcare industry is on the rise. Also known as the gig economy, this job market involves workers prioritizing short-term or freelance work. For instance, registered nurses or physician assistants take on temporary roles in multiple facilities instead of a permanent job in one hospital. This approach allows healthcare facilities to quickly fill necessary jobs and adjust to changing patient needs without long-term commitments.
Experts predict a shortage of over 78,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) registered nurses (RNs) by 2025, which will continue to over 63,000 by 2030.¹ Temporary recruitment addresses this continuous shortage in healthcare staffing without compromising efficiency and service quality. Temp medical employees, who are also commonly called locum tenens, are usually well-trained, skilled, and certified, making them desirable options for many healthcare institutions.
Healthcare gigs offer federal healthcare workers flexibility, diverse experiences, and high-demand opportunities. However, they also come with challenges like inconsistent income and fewer benefits.
2. Higher Demand for Travel Nurses
Travel nursing surged during the pandemic, growing more than sixfold since 2019.² While the market shrank in recent years, it doesn’t mean travel nursing is disappearing. Instead, the industry is just returning to normal levels. Many hospitals still face staff shortages, so travel nurses are still needed in the next years.
Travel nursing is a significant aspect of temporary healthcare work, which involves nurses taking short-term contracts in different locations. Travel nursing jobs usually offer competitive pay, bonuses, and housing stipends, along with the flexibility to choose assignments and take breaks between contracts.
Some specialties are in high demand for travel nursing, including Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room (ER) work. Behavioral health is another growing field, with a rising demand for nurses in mental health and addiction treatment. Federal healthcare candidates focusing on emergency care, critical care, psychology, and therapy will significantly benefit from this trend.
3. Stronger Need for Telehealth Workers
The growing demand for traveling nurses shows a need for medical care beyond the hospital. So, federal health agencies are hiring more telehealth workers—professionals who provide medical care remotely using special technology. These workers can do virtual doctor visits, check patients' health remotely, and use digital tools to help people without physically visiting a healthcare facility.
For instance, telehealth professionals can conduct doctor visits online through videoconferencing. They are also trained to perform remote patient monitoring (RPM) by equipping patients with wearable devices that measure data like blood sugar levels and oxygen saturation.
The increase in telehealth demand boomed after the pandemic showed how helpful it can be. Regulatory changes, such as relaxed HIPAA privacy rules and expanded insurance coverage for telehealth have also made it easier for healthcare professionals to provide remote care.
4. Increased Use of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics
Healthcare institutions use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in three main areas: diagnosis and treatment, helping patients follow treatment plans, and managing administrative tasks.³ For instance, AI can be used to identify patients at higher risk for certain conditions, allowing doctors to step in earlier and provide better care.
These tools do not just help healthcare facilities work more efficiently and lower costs. Through advances like predictive analysis and diagnostics, medical workers can also provide care better than ever before. As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who understand how to use these tools effectively. Healthcare professionals with skills in health informatics, data analysis, or AI applications are in high demand.
5. Higher Demand for Allied Health Professionals
Allied healthcare refers to roles aside from doctors and nurses. These non-clinical roles focus on medical services like diagnoses, treatment, and disease prevention. Examples include occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, speech-language pathologists, radiographers, and medical technologists.
Recent estimates say these allied healthcare roles comprise 60% of the workforce.⁴ This increase stems from the fact that older people need better healthcare, especially for chronic conditions and recovery issues. Also, medical centers look to allied health workers to fill the gaps because of the shortages in traditional healthcare jobs.
6. Focus on Veteran and Military Healthcare
There is an increased demand for better healthcare for veterans and active-duty military personnel. With over 486,000 employees, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remains the largest employer among federal Cabinet-level departments—and the majority of its workforce is dedicated to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).⁵
The VHA runs an extensive network of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, playing a key role in federal healthcare. This allows candidates to make a real difference in a mission-driven career.
Applicants with experience in military or veteran healthcare are highly valued because they understand veterans' specific challenges and needs. Their jobs usually focus on treating complex conditions like physical injuries, PTSD, and chronic illnesses from service. Training or experience in trauma care, mental health, or rehabilitation can significantly improve job opportunities in this sector.
How to Leverage Emerging Trends for Success in Federal Healthcare
Now that you know where the federal healthcare industry is going, how can you maximize these trends? Here are a few ideas:
Get Certified in High-Demand Specialties
Getting certified boosts your credibility, increases earning potential, and enhances your skills. The best certification for you will depend on the kind of work you’re doing.
But if you want to specialize based on current trends, try certifications like the Veterans Health Certificate, Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), or Certified Telehealth Professional (CTP). These programs can take weeks to months, but they give you a better edge in the job market for many years.
Gain Hands-On Experience with Telehealth Tools and Healthcare Technology
Since technology is changing federal healthcare, start familiarizing yourself with telehealth platforms like Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me, or remote patient monitoring devices (e.g., wearable health trackers).
If these are unavailable in your health facility, you can take online courses or workshops on electronic health records (EHR) systems and other similar technology. You can also consider volunteering or shadowing professionals who use these technologies regularly.
Explore Temporary Roles to Build Experience
Embrace flexibility by taking on temporary or travel nursing assignments. These short-term roles allow you to work in diverse settings and gain experience in high-demand specialties. You don’t have to quit your full-time job to engage in temp work. Many temporary roles, such as locum tenens or per-diem shifts, offer flexible schedules that allow you to work evenings, weekends, or during gaps in your regular job.
To make your shift to temporary work more manageable, you can partner with staffing firms that specialize in healthcare jobs. These companies have established connections with hospitals and federal healthcare agencies. They can quickly match you with roles that fit your skills, preferences, and schedule, saving you time and effort in job hunting.
Connect with Matrix Providers to start your federal healthcare career!
If you're excited to ride the waves of these trends, join Matrix Providers today! We are proud to be part of an exciting new $43-billion government contract dedicated to serving America’s military families. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in federal healthcare.
At Matrix Providers, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer career growth, competitive benefits, and the chance to work in a mission-driven environment. Our team will guide you through every application process step, from credentialing to onboarding, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Why wait? Explore our job openings today and call us to start your journey toward a rewarding federal healthcare career!
References:
1. Health Resources and Services Administration. "Nurse Workforce Projections, 2020-2035." bhw.hrsa.gov, Nov. 2022, bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/Nursing-Workforce-Projections-Factsheet.pdf.
2. Fullilove, Crystal. “US Healthcare Staffing Normalizing This Year, SIA Forecast Says.” Staffing Industry Analysts, 10 Oct. 2023, www.staffingindustry.com/Editorial/Healthcare-Staffing-Report/Oct.-12-2023/US-healthcare-staffing-normalizing-this-year-SIA-forecast-says#:~:text=The%20travel%20nurse%20segment%20reached,decrease%20by%205%25%20in%202024.
3. Wells, Nora, et al. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Care. Congressional Research Service, 30 Dec. 2024, crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R48319.
4. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions. “What Is Allied Health?” ASAHP, www.asahp.org/what-is.
5. DeSilver, Drew. “What the Data Says about Federal Workers.” Pew Research Center, 7 Jan. 2025, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/07/what-the-data-says-about-federal-workers/.