Turning temporary or locum tenens providers into permanent staff members offers numerous advantages for medical practices and clinical facilities. The ability to “test out” a potential new hire is a huge benefit, so facilities know exactly what they’re getting before onboarding a physician or physician extender.

Additionally, if you’ve been utilizing temporary clinical staff and, like so many practices, you’re feeling the effects of the widespread medical staffing shortage, it may be in your best interest to offer your locum tenens providers a long-term position at your facility.

Here, we discuss the best possible way to go about converting a temporary employee to permanent staff.

Plan ahead

Many locum tenens providers choose their lifestyle because they like the flexibility or travel of temporary healthcare work. Because of this, it is a good idea to discuss the possibility of a temporary open position becoming permanent with your healthcare staffing agency. This way, your agency can choose providers who are willing and available to take on a permanent role. The last thing you want to happen is to offer a long-term position to someone who is not looking to leave the locum tenens lifestyle. By communicating with your staffing agency early on, you can increase the rate of successfully transitioning locum tenens employees.

Choose the best fit

Before proposing a permanent position to a locum tenens employee, it is critical to weigh your options. You always want to make the best decision for your facility, and there are many factors to consider when approaching a potential new hire. Ask yourself these questions before presenting a permanent offer to a temporary provider:

• Is the provider excelling in her/his role?
• Has the provider built relationships with other high-value employees?
• How does the provider fit into the overall facility culture?
• Is the provider willing to learn?
• Does the provider genuinely want to be a part of the facility?
• Do you feel the need to interview other potential candidates?

Answering these questions will give you valuable insight into whether the temporary employee is likely to be a good long-term fit. A top medical recruiting agency will be able to guide you in making a decision before presenting an offer.

Ask sooner rather than later

If you are fairly certain you want to move forward with an offer, discuss the possibility with the provider at your earliest possible convenience. Locum tenens workers have opportunities for full-time employment at any given moment, so they could be considering positions elsewhere. By discussing the proposal with them early, you have the best chance of securing their employment.

Consider salary

When hiring a temporary provider, think about the salaries of your permanent staff members in case you choose to transition a locum tenens provider to full-time. If you hire a locum tenens provider at a higher salary than your permanent practitioners in the same position, you may experience negative consequences. Your healthcare staffing agency can provide helpful recommendations concerning temporary and permanent salary ranges.

Finding a top healthcare staffing agency

If you need a medical recruiting agency, Tinkbird Healthcare Staffing has placed highly skilled physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals in healthcare positions for well over a decade. We have a network of pre-qualified, highly talented candidates to complement your staff. Contact us to learn more about how our recruiting experts can fill your open positions.