By: Madalyn Manning, Talent Management Director at Revuud
Every December, something predictable happens in the world of healthcare IT consulting… half the industry slows down, and the other half quietly sets themselves up for their strongest year ever.
The consultants who win the best contracts in Q1 aren’t the ones scrambling in January. They’re the ones who used the last four weeks of the year intentionally.
To make this guide as useful as possible, I’ve combined:
Whether you’re a seasoned Epic analyst, a cybersecurity contractor, a cloud engineer, or someone considering a healthcare IT side hustle, this guide was built to help you walk into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Most consultants have no idea how important December is for hiring managers because leadership rarely shares this publicly.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes right now:
✔ Budgets are being finalized for every IT project in 2026
This determines how many contractors they can bring back or onboard.
✔ Leaders are deciding FTE vs contractor ratios
If they need speed or specialization, they often shift toward contractors.
✔ EHR optimization backlogs are being reassessed
This alone creates a wave of demand in Jan–March.
✔ Cloud, cybersecurity, and AI modernization projects are moving up in priority
These roles often get funded in Q1 and staffed fast.
✔ They’re identifying which contractors they want to re-engage
The consultants who stay visible and proactive get chosen first.
This is why Q4 is one of the most strategic windows of the entire year. Being proactive now pays off for the next 12 months.
Last year, one of our consultants (we’ll call her Melissa) wrapped up a major Epic implementation contract in December. She assumed the project was ending for her.
Except… it wasn’t.
The PM had the budget to extend her, but didn’t realize Melissa was coming off the project until she reached out.
One five-minute check-in email turned a 6-month contract into an additional 14 months of continuous work.
Most consultants wait.
The ones who win? They ask early.
With that mindset, here’s how to close out your year like a professional.
Use this as your December playbook:
✔ Confirm your end dates and ask early about extensions
✔ Update your skills, resume, certifications, and Revuud profile
✔ Re-engage your network before they go offline for the holidays
✔ Audit your financials and prepare for tax season
✔ Identify your 2026 specialties and focus areas
✔ Build a clear visibility strategy for January
Save this list — it will make your entire year easier.
Healthcare IT consultants often miss thousands in deductions simply because they don’t plan ahead. Before year-end:
Total your 1099 income
Check quarterly tax payment status
Track outstanding invoices
Review contract terms for expenses
Healthcare IT contractors can often deduct:
Laptops, monitors, keyboards, webcams
Software tools (VPNs, AWS accounts, GitHub, etc.)
Travel to client sites
Training, conferences, and certifications (Epic, AWS, cybersecurity, ServiceNow)
Phone + internet for project work
Workspace/home office expenses
Liability insurance
Professional membership dues
Renew certifications now and deduct them this year
Upgrade hardware before Dec 31
Pre-pay January education/training fees
Look at whether an LLC or S-Corp structure makes sense in 2026
Tax planning is one of the highest-ROI actions a consultant can take.
Three to four weeks before your contract end date, reach out. Not later. Not after the holidays. Now.
Subject: Quick Check-In on My Contract End Date
Hi [Manager Name],
I hope you’re doing well. As I’m planning my 2026 schedule, I wanted to check in on my current end date of [insert date].
We’ve made great progress on [project highlight], and I’d love to continue supporting the next phase if the team sees value in extending.
Do you have a sense yet of what the plan will look like for Q1? Happy to discuss timing or needs on your end.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
You’re proactive
You align with their planning timeline
You remind them of the value you’re delivering
You help them avoid a staffing gap
Most consultants never send this. That’s why it works.
Healthcare IT hiring managers search for very specific keywords. If they’re not in your profile, you’re invisible.
Epic Application Analyst | ClinDoc | Beacon | Orders | EHR Optimization | Healthcare IT Consultant
Cloud Security Engineer | AWS | Zero Trust | IAM | Healthcare Systems
Data Engineer | HL7 | FHIR | ETL | Healthcare Integrations
Module-level skills
Specific build experience
Go-live roles
Certifications
Hourly rate
Your exact 2026 availability
A polished, up-to-date resume
A profile picture
Being visible in the right place matters.
Here’s what hiring managers are asking for most:
ClinDoc
Orders
Beaker
Cupid
Bridges
Cogito/Clarity/Caboodle
Revenue Cycle
(Expect demand to increase all year.)
AWS Solutions Architect
Azure Administrator
Cloud networking
Cloud security
Identity & Access
MFA implementation
Ransomware readiness
SOC, SIEM, and incident response
Workflow automation
AI prompting for clinical workflows
Operational AI tools
HL7
FHIR APIs
ETL pipelines
Most consultants do best with:
An Epic NVT course
AWS Solutions Architect
Security+
ServiceNow Admin
Pick one and plan for it early.
December is one of the best months to re-engage people. Everyone’s planning for next year.
Previous PMs
Epic module leads
CIO/CTO contacts
Cybersecurity managers
PMO directors
Talent partners you trust
Former contractor colleagues
Hey [Name],
Hope you’re doing well! As the year wraps up, I’m planning my 2026 availability and wanted to reconnect. Would love to hear how things are shaping up on your team.
This takes 15 seconds… and it works.
Instead of drifting into your next contract, decide:
Higher rate?
Fewer hours?
Longer contracts?
More remote work?
New specialty area?
Travel or no travel
Nights/weekends
On-call limits
Contract length preferences
What do you want on your resume by the end of 2026? Pick the direction now and target roles that match it.
Here’s your quick-start checklist for the new year:
Follow up with every December outreach
Apply to new roles early (they go fast)
Update your availability on Revuud
Join relevant Revuud talent groups
Add new certs or trainings
Check in with your network
Confirm your Q1 schedule
The consultants who move early always win Q1.
If you're a healthcare IT consultant, or planning to become one, you should be on Revuud. It's where health systems go to find experienced Epic specialists, cloud engineers, cybersecurity experts, and project leaders who can move their digital transformation forward.
Revuud is free for consultants and gives you:
Direct access to top healthcare systems
Priority visibility for the strongest 2026 projects
Faster placement without agencies slowing the process down
AI-powered matching through Scout so your skills stand out
A growing community of 4,500+ vetted healthcare IT professionals
Whether you're looking for your next engagement, exploring part-time or side projects, or planning a full shift into consulting in 2026, Revuud should be the first place you build your presence.
👉 Create your free profile today and get discovered for the work you want next year. Your next contract may already be on the platform.