Reducing agency dependence through strategic workforce solutions

Client Overview

A long-term care facility in Vermont set a strategic goal for 2024, which was to reduce agency reliance while ensuring high-quality, consistent staffing. The facility sought a partner who could help evaluate existing personnel, transition strong performers to permanent roles, and decrease overtime usage to improve both financial and operational outcomes.

Favorite Healthcare Staffing partnered with the facility to design and implement a customized workforce strategy centered on conversion and long-term sustainability.

Challenges

Before partnering with Favorite, the facility faced several staffing challenges:

• Heavy dependence on agency staff
• Rising overtime costs
• Limited visibility into which agency personnel were strong candidates for conversion
• A need for a streamlined approach to workforce planning

The facility wanted a staffing partner capable of aligning with its goals and supporting adjustments as needs evolved.

Solution

Favorite collaborated closely with the facility’s leadership team to:

1. Evaluate on-site staff quality: we conducted assessments to identify agency employees who met the performance and cultural standards required for permanent placement.
2. Facilitate conversions: we guided the conversion process for top-performing agency staff, providing support for both the facility and the clinicians.
3. Support direct hire: we identified and recruited additional qualified candidates to reduce reliance on agency headcount even further.
4. Optimize overtime utilization: we implemented staffing strategies and scheduling adjustments to strategically reduce overtime usage while maintaining coverage.

Results

By the end of 2024, the following improvements were made through our partnership:

69% reduction in agency headcount

• The facility successfully transitioned to a roster of only 9 remaining agency employees, significantly reducing external staffing costs.

68% reduction in overtime

• With improved scheduling and staffing processes, overtime usage decreased markedly throughout the year. 

17 temp-to-perm conversions

• We facilitated the permanent hiring of 17 clinicians originally sourced as agency staff. 

3 direct hires

• In addition to conversions, we supported three new direct hires to strengthen the facility’s permanent workforce.

Client feedback

“The Favorite group has always been supportive, communicative, and helpful with staffing. They have aligned with our goals and requirements; they are flexible to make adjustments as needed to support their clients. Easy to get a hold of.”
— Program Manager

Conclusion

Through close collaboration and a strong understanding of the facility’s goals, Favorite helped significantly reduce agency dependence while lowering overtime spending and establishing a more stable workforce. The results show how strategic partnerships, thoughtful planning, and data‑driven staffing decisions can create a more consistent care team and a better experience for both residents and staff.