Radiology Leaders Important to Onboarding

Competition for experienced, knowledgeable, and competent talent in the imaging industry is great.  Well-rounded staff can be a competitive advantage for any organization. Did you know that an employee is at greatest risk for leaving an organization during their first year of employment? In addition, the cost of employee turnover is costly. It is estimated that it costs an organization 150% of a position’s base salary to replace a newly vacated position.

Onboarding is a process that builds support for new employees by supporting that they be engaged, productive, and satisfied in their new work environment. Onboarding helps reduce turnover the first year, creates an environment that welcomes new employees, assists in creating opportunities for integrating the new employee into your imaging team, and builds positive working relationships within your organization.

During the onboarding process, radiology leaders are important participants. Every leader has areas for improvement and often the supervisor is the reason an employee leaves. Before hiring your next employee take to reflect and ask the following questions:

1. Are there any leadership qualities that need polishing?  Seek feedback for your supervisor, peers, and staff.

2. What is your communication style and how are your communication skills? Are you accessible? Do you lead by example?[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"47191","attributes":{"alt":"recruiting","class":"media-image media-image-right","id":"media_crop_8510231216794","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"5542","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","style":"height: 180px; width: 180px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 1px; float: right;","title":"©Aha-Soft/Shutterstock.com","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

3. Do you take the time to make new employees feel welcome on their first day? During the first 30 days?

4. As a leader, are you clear about your expectations and consistent in how you administer policies and procedures?

5. Do employees have the supplies they need to perform their job?  How can they facilitate work flow issues if they do not have the supplies they need?

6. Are you a good role model? How do you model the right behaviors and relationships?  How do you advocate the mission, vision, and values of your organization? Can you articulate how your work and the work of your team contribute to the mission of the organization? 

Radiology leadership is an integral part of the success of the onboarding process. Before hiring your next employee, take time to reflect on your role and responsibilities.