Healthcare administrators often face the challenge of filling roles quickly while minimizing risk and turnover. One increasingly popular solution is the temp-to-hire model, allowing teams to evaluate candidates in real-world settings before extending a permanent offer.
This article is part of our series on Flexible Staffing Models in Healthcare, which explores adaptive workforce structures to meet today’s evolving care demands. For a broader overview of hiring strategies, visit our Healthcare Staffing Solutions hub.
What Is Temp-to-Hire?
Temp-to-hire (also known as “contract-to-hire”) is a staffing model where a healthcare professional is hired on a temporary basis with the potential for full-time employment after a trial period. This arrangement allows both the employer and employee to assess fit before committing long-term.
In healthcare, this can apply to:
- Nurses and allied health professionals
- Administrative staff
- Medical technicians
- Behavioral health specialists
Benefits of the Temp-to-Hire Model
1. Evaluate Fit Without Commitment
A temp-to-hire period gives administrators the chance to assess:
- Clinical skills and certifications
- Cultural fit with the team
- Reliability and work ethic
This reduces the risk of a bad hire, a costly and disruptive mistake in any healthcare setting.
2. Accelerate Hiring Timelines
Temp-to-hire helps fill roles faster than traditional full-time searches. Partnering with a healthcare staffing agency allows for quick placement while keeping future hiring options open.
3. Reduce Turnover
When both parties have time to evaluate the role, long-term placements are more likely to succeed. This leads to increased staff retention, a key metric in healthcare workforce planning.
4. Budget Flexibility
Temporary roles can be funded from different budget lines, giving administrators more flexibility, especially when headcount restrictions are in place.
When Should You Use Temp-to-Hire?
Not every hiring situation is right for a temp-to-hire model. Here’s when it works best:
✅ Uncertain Long-Term Needs
If your facility is facing a temporary patient census spike or in the midst of a transition (like a merger or expansion), temp-to-hire provides flexibility.
✅ Hard-to-Fill Roles
Specialty positions or rural facility placements can benefit from a trial period that encourages candidate interest while you evaluate their fit.
✅ Past Turnover Issues
If a role has had high turnover, consider using temp-to-hire to better vet candidates and find the right long-term match.
✅ New Service Lines
Launching a new department or service? Use temp-to-hire to test staffing needs without immediately locking in permanent salaries.
Tips for Making Temp-to-Hire Work
- Set Clear Expectations
Define the timeline for evaluation and what criteria will determine a permanent offer. - Partner with a Trusted Staffing Agency
Work with an agency that specializes in healthcare and can match you with credentialed professionals. - Provide Support During the Trial Period
Make sure your temp-to-hire professionals are onboarded, mentored, and included in team communication to encourage a smooth transition. - Track Metrics
Monitor performance, attendance, and feedback from supervisors to make informed decisions about permanent offers.
Explore Temp-to-Hire Staffing
The temp-to-hire model gives healthcare administrators a flexible, strategic approach to hiring in today’s ever-changing workforce landscape. When used wisely, it minimizes risk, improves retention, and helps ensure the best possible fit for both the professional and your care team.Ready to explore temp-to-hire staffing? Learn more in our Flexible Staffing Models in Healthcare guide, or take a broader look at workforce planning through our Healthcare Staffing Solutions resource hub.
