San Diego-based AMN Healthcare Services, a major provider of healthcare staffing services, has acquired Avantas, an Omaha, Neb.-based company that offers clinical-labor-management consulting and software.
AMN has been acquiring consulting and software companies in addition to staffing providers so that it can become a one-stop shop for clinical workforce solutions, said Susan Salka, AMN's president and CEO.
“We want to be the total workforce solutions provider,” Salka said. “That's really a strategic move that we really began about five years ago—not just contingent labor, but total workforce.”
AMN bought Avantas from Alegent Creighton Health, a part of Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives, for $16.5 million. Included in terms is an earn-out potential of up to $8.5 billion based on future performance, according to a release.
Like many of the companies AMN has acquired, Avantas will retain its brand, office location and leadership. AMN retains brand identities in most of its acquisitions to ensure that the companies' strong suits continue to be highlighted, Salka said. Also, most clinicians sign up with more than one recruiter or staffing company, Salka said, so keeping brands separate makes it more likely that an AMN brand will be at least one of their choices, if not more.
The deal was funded with cash and existing credit lines.
The company on Dec. 17 announced the acquisition of Onward Healthcare, a nurse and allied healthcare staffing firm; Locum Leaders, a locum tenens provider; and Medefis, a vendor-management software provider, all from holding company Wilton, Conn.-based OGH. That deal cost $82.5 million.
The clinical staffing industry has several major players, including AMN, TeamHealth, Schumacher Group and EmCare, but a significant portion of the industry is spread out across small, local providers. AMN has played a big part in the consolidation of the largely decentralized business.
Follow Adam Rubenfire on Twitter: @arubenfire
