# A Complete Checklist for Training Audiologists - Auditdata
> As your clinic hires new audiologists and locum staff, conduct proper training, as 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company longer if they were onboarded properly. This blog offers 11 proven ways to get new clinicians and locum staff members up to speed on your clinic’s culture, equipment, and systems.
**Published:** 2023-03-16
**Tags:** Audiology, Practice Management, Clincial Performance
As your clinic hires new audiologists and locum staff, conduct proper training, as 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company longer if they were onboarded properly. This blog offers 11 proven ways to get new clinicians and locum staff members up to speed on your clinic’s culture, equipment, and systems.
BLog
**Employment for audiologists is expected to [grow 10%](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm)** **from 2021 to 2031**, which is faster than the average for all occupations. There will likely be an average of [800 job openings](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm) for audiologists each year between now and 2031. Some of these openings will be to replace clinicians who leave or retire, and others will be to fill positions at expanding (or new) practices.
The number of people with hearing loss is also increasing. It’s estimated that **[nearly 2.5 billion people](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss)** **will have some degree of hearing loss by 2050**. However, there is a huge lack of audiologists worldwide.
As hearing clinics hire new audiologists and part-time/temporary staff, don’t underestimate the importance of proper training and onboarding, as **[69% of employees](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/dont-underestimate-the-importance-of-effective-onboarding.aspx)** **are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they were onboarded properly.** Additionally, organizations with an official onboarding process experience [50% greater](https://www.workstream.us/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-onboarding-a-new-restaurant-employee) new-hire productivity.
Training new audiologists and part-time staff benefits both the clinic and the individuals themselves. Done properly, training helps new team members get up-to-speed on all the clinic’s systems and equipment, which boosts efficiency and accuracy and allows new employees to provide exceptional customer care. At the same time, training helps each employee learn important new skills and proficiencies that will serve them well in their current and future positions.
## Checklist for **Training Audiologists and Locum Staff**
How can you properly train new audiologists and part-time staff – and get them up to speed on your clinic’s culture, equipment, systems, workflows, and processes? Here are 11 tips that are guaranteed to work for onboarding:
## Show Them Around
Introduce the new audiologist and other staff members to all the clinic’s employee.
## Let Them Observe
Give the newcomer a chance to observe clinic operations so they can see the flow.
## Discuss Clinic Expectations
Talk about expectations right away. How many customers are audiologists expected to see?
## Train Them on Your PMS
[The](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/manage/ "Manage")[Practice Management Software (PMS)](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/manage/ "Manage") is the backbone of your organization, so all new employees must understand how it works.
## Teach Them About Your Equipment
Be sure to train them about the [specific audiological equipment](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/) and workflows that your practice uses.
## Explain Clinical Workflows
Talk to your new audiologist about how you’ve implemented automated [clinical workflows](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/clinical-workflows/) to provide a simple step-by-step process.
## Spotlight The Value of Nudging
Use a software solution like Measure that offers reminders/[nudging](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/excel-in-your-hearing-business-with-nudging/) to help clinicians follow best practice workflows.
## Show Them Your Products
It’s essential to teach your new audiologist about the types of hearing aids and accessories that you carry.
## Explain The Fitting Process
Set aside time to train your new audiologist on your software, equipment, and fitting best practices.
## Communicate Regularly
Communication is crucial during (and after!) the onboarding process to ensure the new audiologist is happy and fitting in well at your clinic.
## Give a Welcome Gift
Consider making a sweet gesture, like leaving a welcome bag or basket on your new audiologist’s desk.
show-them-around
## **1.** Show Them Around
A good first step is to introduce the new audiologist and other staff members to all the clinic’s employees and provide a comprehensive tour of the clinic. Show them where things are located, including the exam rooms, printers, equipment, and other resources, including the kitchen. Explain who does what, and who they can go to with questions. If they’re new to the area, offer tips on the best nearby coffee shops, lunch places, fitness centers, and happy hour hangouts. Plan walk and talks for them with clinic colleagues.
let-them-observe
## **2.** Let Them Observe
It’s wise to give the newcomer a chance to observe clinic operations so they can see the flow and experience the culture. If possible, let them shadow another audiologist for a day or two to get a sense of how things run. While there are likely similarities between your clinic’s processes and the testing protocols they followed at their former hearing clinic, there are probably also some differences, so give them some time to observe and adjust.
discuss-clinic-expectations
## **3**. Discuss Clinic Expectations
Talk about expectations right away. How many customers are audiologists expected to see per day? What are the sales goals for each clinician – and for the clinic overall? Explain the goals that clinic leaders have set for each month, quarter, and year, as well as any types of rewards or incentives for clinicians that hit these pre-determined targets. Discuss the [Key Performance Indicators](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/setting-effective-objectives-and-kpis-for-different-staff-types-in-hearing-care/ "Setting effective objectives and KPIs for different staff types in hearing care") (KPIs) that your leaders are tracking, as well as the metrics that employees are expected to meet (or exceed). Will the staff have a certain “grace period” to get up-to-speed before they’re expected to hit certain sales targets? While it’s important to explain what you expect from your new audiologist, it’s also wise to outline what you [don’t want them to do](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/what-not-to-do-in-audiology/ "What NOT to do in audiology"), like being too “jargon-y” with customers or pushing hearing aids that are outside of the customers’ comfort zones. Be clear about your expectations from the start to prevent miscommunications or misunderstandings in the future. Be sure that all employees are aware of – and aligned on – expectations.
PMS
## **4.** Train Them on Your PMS
[The Practice Management Software (PMS](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/manage/ "Manage")) is the backbone of your organization, so all new employees must understand how it works. Demonstrate the [various features](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/9-effective-pms-features-that-every-hearing-clinic-should-use/ "9 effective PMS features that every hearing clinic should use") in the PMS and explain how to [get started](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/how-to-get-started-with-our-practice-management-software-in-7-simple-steps/ "How to get started with our practice management software in 7 simple steps") with the software. Explain that the PMS integrates a variety of functions – including scheduling, invoicing, marketing, and more – to optimize operations throughout the practice. Auditdata recently added a guided workflow feature to their PMS, Manage, which helps improve appointment workflows, streamlines clinic operations, standardizes activities during appointments, and optimizes both clinical and commercial outcomes. This fully functioned PMS was designed specifically for audiology practices, and it helps streamline all the tasks that audiology clinics do regularly, including scheduling, invoicing, purchasing, marketing, and more. As a result, audiology clinics experience increased efficiency, productivity, customer satisfaction, and revenue. Furthermore, this PMS captures data and provides valuable insights in easy-to-understand reports, allowing your clinic’s leaders to make more informed, data-driven decisions to maximize your clinic's successes.
equipment
## **5.** Teach Them About Your Audiology Equipment
Even if your new audiologist worked with similar equipment in their previous clinic, be sure to train them about the [specific audiological equipment](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/ "Measure") and workflows that your practice uses. Be certain that they understand how the equipment functions, the [tools](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/10-essential-tools-every-modern-hearing-care-practice-needs/ "10 Essential tools every modern hearing care practice needs") that your practice uses, as well as the tests they’re expected to do in different types of exams. Also, introduce them to Auditdata’s free online [help center](https://support.auditdata.com/portal/en/kb), which offers a variety of valuable resources about our equipment and software.
workflows
## **6.** Explain Your Clinical Workflows
Talk to your new audiologist about how you’ve implemented automated [clinical workflows](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/software/clinical-workflows/ "Clinical Workflows") to provide a simple step-by-step process designed to guide them along a specific (and consistent) workflow during exams. Highlighted audiometric nudging guides clinicians during examinations, ensuring they follow best practice testing protocols and don’t forget any steps in the process. Describe how the workflows (and nudging) help improve efficiency, consistency, safety, and quality for all clinicians in your practice, and provide the best outcomes for your customers. Regardless of what type of exam your audiologists are conducting, the pre-determined clinical workflows within [Measure,](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/ "Measure") a portfolio of audiological equipment run by advanced software, ensures that nothing gets lost, and nothing gets forgotten.
# Hoorcentrum Aerts Delivers **High-Quality Care with Clinical Workflows**
The Hoorcentrum Aerts, a large multi-outlet hearing care business in Belgium, introduced clinical workflows with Auditdata's Measure solution over a year ago. Their experience has been outstanding, and they feel it has produced many benefits.
nudging
## **7.** Spotlight The Value of The Nudging Feature
Use a software solution like Measure that offers reminders/[nudging](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/software/real-time-audiometric-quality-assessment-and-notifications/ "Real-time audiometric quality assessment and nudging") to help clinicians follow best practice workflows, optimize processes, increase efficiency, and improve quality of care. Tell them that the nudging is meant to guide them through exam workflows, allowing them to focus on each customer without having to worry about the work processes or what comes next. Highlight the benefits of nudging, which ensures that audiologists don’t skip any steps in the exam, forget to ask key questions, or neglect to do necessary testing. Let them know that this feature is meant to make their jobs easier and more streamlined.
products
## **8.** Show Them Your Products
It’s essential to teach your new audiologist about the types of hearing aids and accessories that you carry. Be sure they’re familiar with the benefits and price points of each option. Provide background information and resources – such as manufacturers’ websites – to help them get knowledgeable about your product line. Before they meet with customers, they should have a clear understanding about the solutions that your clinic offers. They should also know where the products are stored, your internal inventory processes, as well as your hearing aid trial and return policies so they can communicate these policies to customers. Staff should be familiar with the various features within your Practice Management Software, which make it easy to track inventory, streamline product ordering, and complete other related tasks.
fitting
## **9.** Explain Your Fitting Process
It’s possible that your fitting software systems and equipment will be different from what the new clinician is accustomed to. Set aside time to train your new audiologist on your software, equipment, and fitting best practices. For instance, tell them that your audiologists are expected to use [Real Ear Measurement](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/hearing-instrument-fitting/real-ear-measurement/ "Real ear measurement"), widely considered to be the industry gold standard, to improve hearing aid fittings, boost customers’ comfort, increase hearing aid usage, and reduce returns.
# **Take The Guesswork** **Out** of Fittings Using [Real Ear Measurement](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/hearing-instrument-fitting/real-ear-measurement/ "Real ear measurement")
[Real Ear Measurements (REMs)](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/hearing-instrument-fitting/real-ear-measurement/ "Real ear measurement") increase customer satisfaction and clinic efficiency by providing a more accurate hearing instrument fit. When programming new hearing aids, you need to ensure optimal aiding of gain and frequency response for more comfortable listening, improved speech quality, and intelligibility.
communicate
## **10.** Communicate Regularly
Communication is crucial during (and after!) the onboarding process to ensure the new audiologist is happy and fitting in well at your clinic. It’s also important to establish an ongoing, honest, constructive dialogue with each clinician during their entire tenure with your organization to be sure they don’t have any questions or concerns, to hear their ideas, and to provide feedback. Regular communication is the best way to build trust – and ensure a successful long-term professional relationship.
gift
## **11.** Give a Welcome Gift
Consider making a sweet gesture, like leaving a welcome bag or basket on your new audiologist’s desk. The gift could include items like office supplies, a water bottle, snacks, a gift card to a local coffee shop or café, and company-branded items, like a coffee mug or t-shirt. Include a welcome card signed by the team. This “seemingly small” effort will be a great way to make your new audiologist feel appreciated – and like they’re part of the team.
## **Let's Chat**
Auditdata helps hearing care providers improve clinical care and drive their business performance and growth. With our data-driven, connected solutions we cater to customers in all stages of the hearing care lifecycle, from attracting new prospects to providing the most appropriate solutions to treat each customer’s hearing loss. We work with hearing care professionals to improve hearing, ear by ear. For more information about Auditdata’s integrated, intuitive, user-friendly tech solutions for audiology centers, please contact us.
## **Other Blogs You Might Enjoy:**
## Setting Effective Objectives and KPIs for Different Staff Types in Hearing Care
Setting and discussing key performance indicators (KPIs) for hearing care is a tricky business. KPIs require time, effort, and employee buy-in to live up to their high expectations.
## Excel in Your Hearing Business with Nudging
Nudging helps by guiding audiologists through complex decisions, focusing more on the client and less on the workflow and process, helping hearing clinics enhance clinical quality and ensure best practice testing processes are consistently followed.
## 6 Qualities That The Best Audiologists Tend to Have
While a degree and relevant experience are vital to an audiologist’s career, six key traits will elevate an audiologist from good to great. Do you have what it takes to be one of the best audiologists in the marketplace?
**Resources**
⭐️ Auditdata solutions:
- [Practice Management Software, Manage](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/manage/ "Manage")
- [Measure - a portfolio of audiological equipment](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/ "Measure - a portfolio of audiological equipment")
⭐️ [Real ear measurement](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/hearing-instrument-fitting/real-ear-measurement/ "Real ear measurement")
⭐️ [Clinical Workflows](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/software/clinical-workflows/ "Clinical Workflows")
⭐️ [Real-time audiometric quality assessment and nudging](https://www.auditdata.com/audiology-solutions/measure/software/real-time-audiometric-quality-assessment-and-notifications/ "Real-time audiometric quality assessment and nudging")
⭐️Auditdata Blogs:
- [Setting effective objectives and KPIs for different staff types in hearing care](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/setting-effective-objectives-and-kpis-for-different-staff-types-in-hearing-care/ "Setting effective objectives and KPIs for different staff types in hearing care")
- [10 Essential tools every modern hearing care practice needs](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/10-essential-tools-every-modern-hearing-care-practice-needs/ "10 Essential tools every modern hearing care practice needs")
- [What NOT to do in audiology](https://www.auditdata.com/insights/blog/what-not-to-do-in-audiology/ "What NOT to do in audiology")
⭐️ [Occupational Outlook Handbook - Audiologists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm "Occupational Outlook Handbook")
⭐️ [Deafness and hearing loss](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss)https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers#:~:text=Depending%20on%20which%20study%20you,the%20one%20you%20have%20happy.
⭐️ [Don't Underestimate the Importance of Good Onboarding](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/dont-underestimate-the-importance-of-effective-onboarding.aspx "Don't Underestimate the Importance of Good Onboarding")
⭐️ [What to know when onboarding a new employee](https://www.workstream.us/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-onboarding-a-new-restaurant-employee "What to know when onboarding a new employee")