How can an employee turn a part-time, seasonal job into a full-time, permanent healthcare career?

Ana Vinikov, Owner, Global Pain & Spine Clinic

When I observe employees making the most significant error in judgment, it is when they come into a seasonal job thinking it has no future. Is this a part-time job, a temporary assignment, or a casual position? Whatever term is in use, you have the ability to open many doors to your future career by simply treating every shift like an audition for full-time employment. Supervisors and the senior staff may not care about the title on your badge, but they are paying attention to consistency.

If you are early, engaged during downtime, and you ask questions that indicate you want to learn, that gets noticed long after the seasonal job is done.

I have seen a person go from a weekend support role into a permanent care coordinator role in my own practices because she acted as if her part-time shifts were the launch of her career. She inquired if she could attend care planning meetings during slower shifts. Over time, she learned processes that normally take a year to understand. That was an initiative on her part that did not cost extra money, just time and attention, but created an advantage over others.

A seasonal position is generally a probationary period for you as an employee. If you demonstrate proactive behavior to network for exposure, show reliability, and develop trust with leadership, then you have created your own path for consideration for permanent employee status. Those habits to become an employee carry weight and importance far more than any job title on paper.

Raphael Akobundu, Nurse Practitioner, Huddle Men’s Health

As a physician, I’ve noticed that organizations pay close attention to employees who are proactive and adaptable. Cross-training, for instance, effectively shows you can handle different responsibilities, particularly in a fast-moving healthcare setting. I once saw a seasonal medical assistant take on tasks in both the front office and patient care, and that flexibility led to a permanent offer. If you’re aiming for a full-time role, positioning yourself as the person who can fill multiple gaps goes a long way.

Dr. Edward Espinosa, Owner, OptumMD

The fastest way to shift from seasonal hire to full-time asset is to out-solve problems others ignore. That means showing up early, learning systems nobody wants to touch, and becoming the one person who never waits to be told what to do. I have seen techs, CNAs, and admin floaters double their hours simply because they learned to fix scheduling glitches or volunteered to cross-train in billing when someone else called out. In most settings, a $15-per-hour temp who plugs a daily operational hole is worth more than a $90K hire who just clocks in and out.

It is not about being the loudest or most ambitious. It is about being reliable, coachable, and self-directed when no one is watching. If you act like someone already on payroll full-time, they will start thinking of you that way. Then when that permanent spot opens up… guess who they think of first?

Dr. Nicole Anders, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Yoga Instructor, Trauma Recovery Yoga (T.R.Y.)

Dr. Ryan Peterson, Board Certified Physician, NuView Treatment Center

The most powerful way to do this is to consistently show initiative beyond the basic job description. Managers and senior staff notice when someone treats every shift as a chance to learn, grow, and contribute to the team in meaningful ways.

If you are working in more of a support role, for example, take the time to understand how the clinic or department runs as a whole. Ask thoughtful questions about processes, observe how different team members collaborate, and look for small ways to ease the workflow, whether that means organizing supplies more efficiently or offering to assist with tasks that free up clinical staff. These extra steps demonstrate reliability and curiosity, which are two qualities healthcare employers value highly when considering candidates for permanent roles.

Healthcare is a field where strong work ethic and eagerness to learn often carry as much weight as formal credentials, especially at the entry level. When supervisors see that you are invested in both the patients and the team, they are far more likely to recommend you for additional training or full-time openings.

Dr Susan Binder, Owner & Dermatologist, Binder Dermatology

One of the most effective ways to turn a part-time or seasonal healthcare position into a permanent career is to approach every shift as though it is a long-term opportunity. Managers often evaluate more than just technical competence. They notice reliability, willingness to learn, and how well someone fits into the team culture. Consistently arriving prepared, being flexible with schedules, and volunteering for tasks outside of your basic responsibilities can set you apart quickly.

One practical step worth implementing is to have an open conversation with your supervisor before the seasonal contract ends. Express genuine interest in building a career in healthcare, ask about additional certifications or training that would strengthen your candidacy, and inquire whether there are pathways into full-time roles within the organization. Equally important is building visibility within the organization. Take the time to connect with colleagues in other departments, schedule informal coffee chats, and learn about the work different teams are doing. This not only broadens your understanding of the organization but also helps you identify potential roles and opportunities that may not exist within your immediate team.

Ultimately, by pairing strong day-to-day performance with proactive feedback for growth, and by integrating yourself into the broader workplace community, you signal that you are not just filling a temporary need but are committed to contributing long-term. Employers are far more likely to invest in someone who has already proven both capability and dedication.

Jasmine Escalera, Career Expert, LiveCareer

If you want to turn a part-time or seasonal role into a full-time healthcare career, the most effective thing you can do is treat the job like it’s already permanent. In a clinical setting, that means showing initiative, being reliable, and learning the “why” behind what you’re doing, not just following instructions.

In our orthodontic practice, we pay close attention to how part-time team members handle patient interactions and adapt to the rhythm of the office. Do they ask good questions? Are they dependable? Do they look for ways to help without being asked? That kind of mindset stands out quickly. Act like you’re already part of the team and you’re more likely to become one.

Dr. Laurence Schimmel, DDS, Owner, Schimmel Orthodontic Associates

To become a full-time employee in the field of health care, a good start is to recognize that every assignment, no matter how basic, is an opportunity to showcase your talent, dependability, and dedication to the job at hand. Even service, administrative, or support assignments in health care are ways to display your initiative and problem-solving approach to your work. Showing attention to details and a good sense of initiative, in addition to service, are greatly appreciated in the health care industry.

My main suggestion is to look for and encourage the expansion of your assignment scope. Ask to participate in clinical activities, or at least try to understand processes of care and health operations. Your willingness to engage in clinical or administrative activities will communicate that you are interested and ready for an increase in responsibilities.

Finally, build strategic professional relationships and network intentionally. Connect with mentors, supervisors, and staff members who will assist you in your step upward. Join professional development programs like training and workshops. Often, getting a permanent position is contingent not only on skills and work performance but also on your visibility and reputation in the healthcare team. Your engagement and participation demonstrate that you are ready for a long-term career.

Shahinaz Soliman, Board Certified Physician, Soliman Care Family Practice Center Inc.

There is an old saying that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and this same logic applies to an employee turning their part-time healthcare job into a full-time career by letting their employers know their interest early on. Many part-time employees make the mistake of assuming that their employers know or understand their future goals or intent with their current jobs, and this can often lead to supervisors making incorrect assessments.

Therefore, it is critical that you let your employer know early on how much you enjoy your job, that you would like to have a career in that field, and that you would be very interested in any possible position openings. By simply being vocal about your intent and your desire to have a full-time job within that healthcare field, you can better position yourself to turn that part-time job into a career.

Robert Applebaum, CEO & Plastic Surgeon, Beverly Hills Breast Reduction Center

A strong way to transition into a permanent role is by investing in additional certifications while working part-time, such as mental health first aid or counseling assistant credentials. I’ve seen staff in healthcare settings earn these and immediately gain new responsibilities because they showed dedication beyond just their shift work. That initiative often shifts how managers view you from temporary help to long-term asset. My suggestion: use the flexibility of a seasonal job to quietly build skills that fill gaps in patient care.

Dr. Tomer Avraham, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Avraham Plastic Surgery

Stephen Greet, CEO & co-founder, BeamJobs

Focus on getting a professional certification. These open a lot of doors in the medical world. Something basic like a CNA certification is easy enough to get through community colleges and similar institutions. Even basic certifications like first aid or CPR can help.

Eileen Wang, Physician, Modern Menopause

Dr Bharat Pothuri, Gastroenterologist, GASTRO DOXS

I’ve worked in health care for 17+ years. I’ve seen hundreds of staff go from entry-level hourly to expert (salaries in the 6 figures), and the ones who made the leap did one thing the others avoided: they volunteered for the dirty work no one else wanted.

If you’re a seasonal/part-time hire trying to become a permanent employee, then be there on the days nobody else is. Show up on the third 12-hour shift in a row, the day after Thanksgiving, or Sunday afternoon when everyone’s call has just been maxed out by respiratory consults. Do not pretend, do not complain, do not wait to be asked. The folks in healthcare management are not making notes when you bring birthday cupcakes, or if you’re slick with the clipboard… they’re making notes when everyone else says no and the room stinks, the patient is yelling, and it’s two hours past clock-out. That, my friend, is what differentiates the float pool from the payroll.

One person I worked with showed up on Saturdays for 2 months straight just to wipe down vents in a cold storage room, because he knew no one else wanted to do it. That chore was worth exactly $0 in hazard pay, but it became a $62,000/yr job offer 3 weeks later. He was not the quickest, or the flashiest, but he was reliable. So, if you are a seasonal hire trying to earn your badge for good, quit trying to “impress” and start trying to be needed. Big difference.

Elizabeth Moffett, Registered Respiratory Therapist and Expert Advisor, Omhale