What experienced travelers look for — and run from — when evaluating agencies.
✓ Provides a complete written pay breakdown without being asked. The best agencies send you a detailed package with every line item — taxable rate, housing, M&IE, travel, deductions — before you even have to request it.
✓ Recruiter responds within hours, not days. Responsiveness before you sign is the best version of their service. If they're fast now, they'll likely be fast when you need help on assignment.
✓ Recruiter has clinical knowledge. They understand what productivity means in a SNF, why documentation systems matter, and what a realistic caseload looks like. Agencies owned by therapists naturally have this.
✓ Honest about downsides. A recruiter who says "this facility has high turnover but pays well — here's what I know" is more trustworthy than one who says every position is perfect.
✓ 30-day cancellation clause with guaranteed hours. This protects you financially if the facility cancels early.
✓ Reimburses licensing fees and CEUs. Shows they invest in their travelers, not just extract value from them.
✓ Happy to let you compare with other agencies. Confident agencies welcome comparison because they know their packages are competitive. Agencies that pressure you to commit immediately are usually trying to prevent comparison.
✗ Won't provide a written pay breakdown. "We'll figure out the details later" means you'll discover deductions on your first paycheck.
✗ High-pressure sales tactics. "This position will be gone by end of day" or "I need your answer now." Legitimate positions don't evaporate in hours.
✗ Paycheck doesn't match quoted package. The #1 complaint in travel therapy. If your first paycheck is $200-$400 less than quoted, the agency was either dishonest or sloppy — neither is acceptable.
✗ Recruiter takes days to respond. Especially problematic when you're on assignment and have a compliance issue, housing problem, or facility concern that needs immediate attention.
✗ "Standard fees" or vague deductions. Every deduction should be itemized with specific dollar amounts. "Administrative fees" without explanation is a red flag.
✗ 2-week (or no) cancellation clause. This means the facility can end your contract with minimal notice and you're scrambling for income.
✗ Pattern of identical complaints in reviews. Every agency has some negative reviews. But when 10+ travelers report the same issue (pay discrepancies, unresponsive recruiters, hidden fees), it's systemic.
Ask these before committing to any agency. Their answers (and how they answer) tell you everything:
"Can I see a complete written pay breakdown for this position?" — Should be immediate and detailed.
"Are there any deductions from my package not shown here?" — Should be zero surprises.
"What's the cancellation policy?" — Should be 30 days with guaranteed hours.
"Have you placed travelers at this facility before? What was their experience?" — A good recruiter knows their facilities.
"What happens if I have a problem on assignment at 9pm on a Friday?" — Should have after-hours support.
"Can I talk to a current traveler who works with you?" — Confident agencies will connect you with references.
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