Not every opening needs the same kind of hire. Choosing the right staffing model for each role can save money, protect continuity of care and reduce turnover. Here is how the three most common options compare.

Direct hire

The clinician joins your team and your payroll from day one. You typically pay a one-time placement fee based on first-year salary.

• Best for: long-term, core roles such as a Clinical Director, BCBA or lead SLP.
• Watch for: a longer search for hard-to-fill roles, and the need for a strong onboarding plan.

Contract staffing

The clinician works with your team for a set period while the staffing firm, or its payroll partner, is the employer and handles wages, payroll taxes and workers' compensation. You pay an hourly bill rate for approved hours.

• Best for: leave coverage, seasonal demand, new programs or a caseload spike.
• Watch for: a higher hourly cost than a direct employee, which you trade for flexibility and less admin work.

Temp-to-hire

The clinician starts on contract, and you can hire them onto your team after a set period under agreed conversion terms.

• Best for: roles where fit with your setting matters a lot, or when you are not yet sure a role will be permanent.
• Watch for: make sure the conversion terms are clear before the assignment starts.

A simple way to decide

Ask three questions: Is the need permanent? How soon do you need coverage? How confident are you about the fit? Permanent and confident points to direct hire. Urgent or temporary points to contract. Permanent but uncertain points to temp-to-hire.

Talk it through with us

SCG offers direct-hire placement, contract and temp-to-hire staffing, and administrative and payroll support for healthcare and ABA providers in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Georgia. Book a free consultation and we will help you pick the right model for each role.