Updated June 2025
The bridge from temporary to permanent employment isn’t just a passage for workers; it’s a unique opportunity for organizations aiming to grow and strengthen their workforce. Temp-to-perm recruiting is the strategic approach of hiring temporary employees with the prospect of making their positions permanent based on performance. It allows healthcare leaders and clinicians to essentially ‘try before they buy,’ ensuring a mutually beneficial fit before making a commitment.
Temp-to-Perm Tactics to Grow Your Workforce
The right staff in place can mean the difference between top-notch patient care and operational chaos. Temp-to-perm employment mitigates this risk by offering a probationary period for both parties to assess compatibility. It’s a win-win: organizations can evaluate skills, work ethic, and organizational fit, while candidates can test the waters to see if the role and facility align with their career goals.
Clearly definine needs and expectations
Set clear and specific objectives for what you aim to achieve with temp-to-perm employment. Are you looking to fill a hard-to-staff role? Reduce turnover? Test a new position within your organization? Common goals might include building a stronger internal pipeline, easing pressure or burnout on core staff, and improving retention. Having clear goals like these will guide your strategy and help you measure success.
Look beyond the traditional temp-to-perm agency model
Temp-to-perm agencies may not have the capabilities to meet the scope of staffing you need. Instead, consider a workforce partner that takes a partnership + tech approach to total talent solutions, like the model used by Medical Solutions. This kind of total talent partner has the people, technology, and tools to truly understand the nuances of your operational needs and work alongside you to save time and resources. The right partnership can dramatically increase your chances of finding candidates who are not just qualified on paper, but ready to contribute from day one.
Create a memorable onboarding experience
Temporary staff are more likely to consider permanent positions in environments where they feel valued and fully integrated. Establish ways to make the temp-to-perm hiring process more memorable. Make the training engaging and thorough, make access to necessary resources readily available, and schedule regular check-ins to address any concerns. Additionally, fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone’s perspectives and backgrounds are respected further enhances sense of belonging and value. By ensuring your temporary clinicians receive the same levels of support as permanent staff, you’re enhancing their work experience and opening the door for a permanent transition.
Make the most of your trial periods
The temp-to-perm hiring process is all about evaluation and mutual fit. Use this contract period as an opportunity to assess performance, cultural alignment, and long-term potential. Regular feedback sessions, performance check-ins, and career conversations can help set expectations, support development, and ensure both sides are set up for success.
Adopt a human-centric approach
Every employee brings a unique background, perspective, and set of needs, so your retention strategy should reflect that. Take a human-centric approach by pairing temporary employees with trusted, experienced mentors, offering continuous access to training and development, and prioritizing internal temp-to-perm promotions before opening roles to the public. Small, thoughtful actions like these can make a big difference in employee experience and impact whether they choose to stay for the long haul.
The Bottom Line
Temp-to-perm recruitment is about building a bridge between your workforce’s current needs and future goals. With the right steps in place, you can transform the challenge of hiring into an opportunity for long-term growth, stability, and a better employee experience for your clinicians. Staying flexible and open to new strategies could be the key to not just surviving, but thriving. In the end, it’s all about creating a win-win for your organization and your people.
Connect with Medical Solutions today to see how a full-suite healthcare workforce solutions partner can help you attract, retain, and grow the workforce you need.
