Hearing Instrument Specialist Trainee - Future Opportunities

Starkey Hearing; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Short-term disability insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Hearing aid benefits

PTO

Paid sick and safe time

6 paid holidays annually

Job summary

Starkey Hearing in Eden Prairie, MN, invites candidates to join as a Hearing Instrument Sales Specialist Trainee. This role focuses on hands-on training that includes fitting, servicing, and selling hearing aids while following the Patient Journey philosophy.

Candidates will gain comprehensive training and support, receive sponsored licensure, and work alongside seasoned professionals. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with an emphasis on patient satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of sales experience preferred and/or background in medical or hearing aid industry.
• Knowledge of the hearing aid industry a plus.
• Comfortable working with online computer systems and programs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient diagnostics and comprehensive hearing evaluations.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and service hearing instruments.
• Train with licensed specialists to complete practicum hours.

Skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving abilities

Analytical abilities

Verbal and written communication

Public speaking experience

Education

High school diploma required; college degree preferred

Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences/Communication Disorders ideal

Job description

Overview

Join a career path designed for growth! This trainee opportunity offers hands‑on experience, expert mentorship, and sponsored licensure to help you become a licensed hearing care professional. At Starkey Retail, we are setting a new standard for excellence in hearing healthcare through our commitment to the Patient Journey philosophy, focused on patients’ unique needs and guiding them to the best hearing solutions to enhance their lifestyle and well‑being. This role is an employment opportunity with Northland Hearing Centers, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Starkey Laboratories, Inc. All Starkey Retail positions are covered under Northland Hearing Centers, Inc.’s benefit and compensation programs.

The Hearing Instrument Sales Specialist Trainee will be trained in all aspects of hearing aid fittings, service/repairs, and sales, including product knowledge, testing, diagnosis of hearing loss, fittings and sales of hearing products and accessories, patient counseling, and aural rehabilitation. They will also be trained and prepared to meet and provide services to patients remotely through Starkey’s TeleHear program. HIS Trainees must complete the requisite for a dispensing license and practice within applicable state law prior to obtaining said licensure. Starkey will sponsor, train and fund the process and fees of obtaining said license. The training program will include the apprentice working with their assigned sponsor. Trainees will receive additional training via job shadowing of other practitioners, which may include travel to other locations and/or to our corporate in Eden Prairie, MN. Study materials and testing fees, and travel arrangements will be paid by Starkey. This position is posted as an ongoing requisition to attract and develop future licensed hearing care professionals for current and anticipated hiring needs.

Approach and Deployment

• Provide Patient Journey experience through counseling and instruction.
  • Complete requirements for state temporary license.
• Learn to conduct patient diagnostics.
  • Train with licensed specialists to complete practicum hours; may include travel to other regions to work with a variety of experienced specialists.
  • Conduct comprehensive hearing evaluations to identify type and degree of hearing loss.
  • Make appropriate recommendations based on hearing test results.
• Become proficient in troubleshooting, repairing and servicing all types of hearing instruments and accessories.
  • Attend the Patient Journey Protocol class and observe other specialists in their practice of the Patient Journey.
• Train with a specialist or audiologist on difficult fittings.
  • Learn the Starkey product line and programming of hearing instruments. Travel to Starkey training events may be required.
• Learn tactics and styles of hearing aid sales and accessories.
  • Train and work with patients via TeleHear.
  • Train with area specialists on patient care, ensuring comfort and understanding of patient needs and requests.
  • Learn how to use the TeleHear tools for working with patients remotely, including programs such as TEAMS, VSEE and GoTo Meeting and understanding of online tools to adjust and fit patients offsite.

Results – Performance Measures

• Attendance at meetings.
• Create a calendar for each location.
• Assessment of dispensing skills.
• Patient satisfaction.
• Providing timely data for insurance billing.
• Diagnostic skills.

Other Duties

• Support Northland Employee Corporate and/or Department Guidelines.
• Check and verify quality.
• Support corporate health and safety objectives.
• React to change productively and handle other essential duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education: High school required; college degree preferred or equivalent work history in a healthcare or technical field; Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences/Communication Disorders ideal.
• Experience: 1+ years of sales experience preferred and/or background in medical or hearing aid industry.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of the hearing aid industry a plus.
• Skills & Abilities: Ability to organize and execute a plan; good problem solving, analytical abilities, verbal and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills required; comfortable working with online computer systems and programs; public speaking experience and training.

Salary and Compensation

This is a paid Trainee role with opportunity for bonus. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is eligible for commissions based upon performance results; there is no guarantee of payout.

Benefits

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short‑term disability insurance, long‑term disability insurance, employee assistance program, hearing aid benefits, PTO, paid sick and safe time, and 6 paid holidays annually.

The above declarations are not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.