In this two-part series, DR ANNE-MAREE DALEY discusses the importance of training and continuing education particularly upskilling reception staff to audiometrists.
Did you know that approximately 70% of people aged 70 and over experience significant hearing loss? Additionally, one in six Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss.
Unfortunately, this number is projected to increase to one in four by 2050 due to the aging population and increased exposure to loud noise.
Sadly, many people with hearing loss go unmanaged, which can significantly impact an individual’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being.
Addressing hearing loss through early intervention, support systems, and technological solutions is essential to mitigate these effects and improve overall quality of life.
Hearing health practitioners are well equipped to treat and manage individuals with hearing loss; however, there is an existing shortage of hearing health practitioners, and this is expected to worsen as the prevalence of hearing loss in the population increases.
This shortage leads to longer waiting times for assessments and treatments, reduced quality of care, and limited access to services, especially in rural and remote areas. It is critical to address this shortage to ensure that people with hearing loss receive timely and effective care.
A potential solution involves providing additional training for reception staff in audiology clinics. Efforts should be made to expand training programs, enhance retention rates and utilise tele-audiology.
This series delves into the significance of upskilling reception staff to become audiometrists, enhancing their careers and the overall efficiency and success of audiology clinics.
Upskilling reception staff
Reception staff in audiology clinics often serve as clients’ first point of contact. They handle many tasks including, but not limited to, scheduling appointments, minor repairs and management of hearing devices, managing patient records and providing initial patient support and counselling.
Their role is pivotal in ensuring smooth clinic operations and a positive patient experience. However, with additional training and education, these staff members can take on the role of the audiometrist, increasing their value to the clinic and enhancing career prospects.
Upskilling staff members to become audiometrists can be highly beneficial for the business and the individuals involved. Reception staff transitioning to audiometrists can offer more comprehensive and seamless patient care due to their familiarity with clinic operations and patient interactions, leading to a more empathetic patient experience.
The benefits of upskilling
By focusing on career advancement through upskilling, audiology businesses can create a win-win situation where both staff and business benefit.
1. Enhanced patient care: Reception staff transitioning to audiometrists can provide comprehensive care. Their familiarity with patient interactions and counselling ability, which they already practise within the business, can lead to a more seamless and empathetic patient experience.
2. Career advancement: Offering pathways for reception staff to upskill and become audiometrists provides staff with valuable career development opportunities. By acquiring new skills and qualifications, staff can move into a more specialised and higher-paying role, enhancing job satisfaction and company loyalty.
3. Increased job satisfaction: Offering employees the chance to advance in their careers significantly boosts their job satisfaction. These opportunities communicate a sense of appreciation and value, indicating that the employer is committed to their professional development.This fosters a greater sense of fulfillment among employees, leading to heightened motivation and engagement in the workplace.
4. Higher retention rates: Providing career advancement opportunities can also lead to higher staff retention rates. Employees are more likely to stay with a business that supports their growth and offers clear pathways for advancement. This reduces turnover and associated costs of recruiting and training new staff. It is also easier to upskill staff than recruit staff.
5. Reduced recruitment costs: Recruiting new staff involves significant costs including advertising, interviewing and onboarding. Alternatively, upskilling existing employees can be more cost-effective as it eliminates many of these expenses.
6. Enhanced revenue production: While training to become an audiometrist, reception staff can perform audiometric assessments, improving the clinic’s efficiency. This allows for better resource allocation and reduces the need to hire additional specialised staff. Also, existing staff already know the clinic’s operations, which can lead to increased revenue production, improving the business’s success.
7. Enhanced clinic reputation: A clinic that invests in the professional development of its staff often builds a strong reputation as an employer of choice. This can attract top talent and create a positive work environment, further contributing to the clinic’s success.
8. Investment in training: Training comes with a cost but the long-term advantages of cultivating employees who are in sync with the company’s unique requirements, values and culture can surpass the initial investment. In-house training guarantees that staff acquire the precise skills and knowledge necessary for their roles.
Note: Part two in the next edition of HPA looks at pathways for upskilling and continuing education including the Australasian College of Audiometry’s (AuCA) audiometry certificate, diploma, occupational audiometry course, on-the-job training and mentorship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Audiologist of 19 years Dr Anne-maree Daley is an educator with the Australasian College of Audiometry. She has published articles on hearing health in local newspapers and professional journals including co-authoring research in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology.
