QI in Action: Improving Allied Health Onboarding and Orientation
We spotlight Katrine Nehyba’s project focused on improving the onboarding and orientation experience for allied health staff.
The ACHS Improvement Academy’s Quality Improvement Lead (QIL) Program supports healthcare professionals in implementing data-driven improvement initiatives within their organisations.
QIL Graduate, Katrine Nehyba, Allied Health Educator at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group within South Metropolitan Health Service, undertook a project titled “Improving Allied Health Onboarding and Orientation at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group,” focusing on strengthening the new staff experience and ensuring consistent, high-quality onboarding processes that support effective integration into the organisation.
The project was undertaken within the allied health services at Fremantle Hospital which provide a diverse range of diagnostic, therapeutic, restorative and preventative services to support the care and rehabilitation of patients at the hospital.
Project Background
Anecdotal feedback at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital indicated there was room to improve the onboarding and orientation experience for new allied health staff. While structured processes were in place, the experience varied across staff, and opportunities were identified to strengthen communication, and overall satisfaction during the early transition into the organisation.
The aim of this project was to better understand the onboarding experience of new allied health staff and to improve staff satisfaction with key components of onboarding and orientation by 20% by July 2025.
Onboarding and orientation are key to supporting staff integration and early confidence in the workplace. Orientation refers to initial introduction activities, while onboarding is a longer process that supports full integration into the organisation and clinical environment. Within Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group, allied health onboarding spans four phases: pre-start, Day 1 orientation, Induction Day, and ongoing role-specific support. In total, new staff participate in approximately 24 hours of structured onboarding activities, making it essential that this time is effective in embedding culture, expectations, and safe practice.
Listening to New Staff Experience
Data collection occurred between May and September 2024, involving 67 new allied health staff. Survey responses were received from 48% of Induction Day attendees, supported by demographic data and semi-structured interviews with nine staff until thematic saturation was reached. This provided a detailed understanding of the onboarding experience across phases.
The project used the Double Diamond framework to explore and define the problem before developing solutions. Early analysis through journey mapping and personas showed staff were enthusiastic and valued support but experienced frustration with inefficiencies and a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Satisfaction was lowest in the pre-start and Induction Day phases, with key contributing factors identified as processes, environment, communication, and consumer focus.
Turning Ideas into Action
Improvement work focused initially on the Clinical Induction Day. Changes tested through PDSA cycles included introducing a pre-start induction information booklet, improving induction communication, and increasing engagement with leaders and facilitators.
Early results showed improvement in staff preparedness and satisfaction with communication, supported by run chart data. The pre-start induction booklet was implemented as a sustained change.
While communication-related improvements were achieved, other aspects of onboarding continue to be refined through ongoing testing. Future work will focus on sustaining improvements, continuing PDSA cycles, and evaluating longer-term impact on staff experience.
Explore projects from QIL Program Graduates
You can read this full project on pg 58. in the QIL Project Summaries 2024 6th Edition.
This year's QIL program is underway, but you can still join our next information session. Contact us to see if the program is right for you and how to join the waitlist at improvementacademy@achs.org.au
