Apprentice Audiologist

Job overview

This job is a training post to enable to post holder to work towards become a qualified Audiologist and thus provide Audiology services to the population of Nottinghamshire

The apprentice will be expected to complete the elements of the Audiology apprenticeship level 6 (equivalent to a BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)) via a 3-year university programme.

Successful completion will result in qualification as an Audiologist

Main duties of the job

The apprentice will be expected to complete the elements of the Audiology apprenticeship level 6 (equivalent to a BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)) via a 3-year university programme. This includes:

Year 1:

a. To perform otoscopy

b. To perform ear mould adjustment

c. To take ear impression

d. To elicit information regarding hearing aid faults

e. To rectify hearing aid repairs (detailed below)

f. To manage stock levels

g. To use the Audiology patient management system in line with departmental processes

h. To observe Direct Referral pathways

i. To perform unmasked audiometry according to BSA and local guidelines

j. To develop counselling and decision making techniques

k. To observe hearing aid fittings

l. To instruct patients on how to use hearing aids

m. To perform face to face and telephone reviews

2. Year 2

a. As above, building portfolio of evidence

b. As above, working under supervision

3. Year 3

a. As above, building portfolio of evidence

b. Working as an independent practitioner

c. To observe and assist Paediatric clinics

d. To observe and assist Balance clinics

e. To observe and assist Advanced Rehab clinics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In year one:

• 1)    Hearing Aid Repairs

The post holder will determine the patients’ presenting and associated problems. This requires communicating sympathetically and effectively with people with a severe hearing loss and may include overcoming barriers to understanding when the patient has additional communication problems. They must deal sensitively with patients’ concerns and anxieties. They will understand that hearing loss can cause frustration and be prepared to cope with verbally aggressive people. They may be exposed to distressing situations such as terminally ill or newly bereaved patients. They will assess each patient’s need for further assessment by audiologists, social services for assistive devices and visit by volunteer staff.

In particular they will:

• Determine whether the presenting and associated problems lie within their scope of practice or whether a Registered Audiologist needs to be involved.
• Perform accurate and safe otoscopy having obtained permission from the patient. This requires the ability to identify and accurately describe abnormalities in the ear canal or on the eardrum for possible onwards referral to surgical specialists (ENT).
• Where appropriate clean and check patients’ ear moulds and hearing aids in such a way as not to damage the delicate microphone and receiver. They may occasionally be exposed to unpleasant ear infections, dirty ear moulds and other unpleasant odours.
• Replace faulty hearing aids, to include re-programming replacement digital aids and if necessary resetting parameters under the supervision of a Registered Audiologist. The post holder will be required to maintain knowledge of digital hearing aids and their programming requirements.
• Under the supervision of a Registered Audiologist take silicone impressions of patients’ ear canals for the preparation of new ear moulds. This requires the ability to identify contra-indications for impression taking.
• Fit new ear moulds and check current ear moulds, check to determine if ear mould fits correctly. Modify ear mould to correct fit as required. This requires a high level of dexterity to modify and polish ear mould(s) as needed.
• Retube ear moulds with correct tubing and demonstrate knowledge of tubing types and effect of tubing on electro acoustic performance of hearing aid systems.
• Hearing aid handling and care. Assess and teach patients, who can be very elderly or confused including on how to insert hearing aid and ear mould correctly, how to use controls on hearing aid, how to clean hearing aid and ear mould & how to insert new batteries
• Postal repair service. Ascertain problems with hearing aid system, perform repairs and replacements as needed, log and dispatch safely back to patient or leave for collection.
• Ensure accurate, concise and timely entry of data/information into patient management system following each patient contact, direct, postal or via telephone, for example in telephone follow ups.