Audiologist

As an autonomous clinical practitioner an audiologist will undertake diagnostic hearing tests on adult and some paediatric patients both routine and complex cases. They will also provide a counselling and rehabilitative service to hearing aid users as well as prescribing and fitting suitable hearing aids.

We would like you to have a BSc (or equivalent) in Audiology (or expecting to be qualified soon). You should also be registered or be in the process of registering with the  AHCS or HCPC. Please specify which professional body you a registered within your supporting information.

A Band 5 Audiologist will work autonomously to perform a broad range of clinical activities such as hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings on adults working with the patients set realistic outcomes and helping to achieve their desired outcomes, all aspects of hearing aid care (repairs, advice and guidance on assistive technologies, telecare), diagnostic testing on older children and diagnostic testing on patients who are attending the ENT Department.

A newly qualified member of staff will receive a period of preceptorship training/supervision. There will also be opportunity to work with specialist staff to broaden knowledge in specialist areas and procedures.

Detailed job description and responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

Communication and working relationships:

Forms of communication may include:

Internal:

External:

Communication with patients/carers who may have varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound.

Analytical and judgement

·         Will triage referrals from other disciplines including GP, Audiology, ENT and Physiotherapy and communicate to the booking teams what appointment is needed

·         Will analyse and interpret information gathered from patient history/ interviewing and testing, making clinical judgements about when to refer for further testing including MRI and developing an individual management plan with patient.

Planning and organisation

·         Plan equipment requirements for own peripheral clinics and ensure that all equipment/ stock required for clinic list is transported to location in good time

·         Develop with the patient an individual management plan.

·         Ensure good timekeeping during the clinical day and use time effectively to prioritise tasks.

·         To actively contribute to meetings both within the service and as a representative of the service as required within own area of expertise, which may include the taking on of formal roles such as minute taking / arranging venues etc.

Physical skills

·         Good manual dexterity for dealing with small component parts in hearing aids

·         Coordination and sensory skills used daily for precise fitting and adjustment to high tech digital hearing aids, insertion of probe tubes into a patient’s ear, and taking aural impressions

·         Ability to be able to listen and retain complex information and often given in a non-ordered way by patients

Patient and client care

Policy and service development

Finance, equipment and other resources

People management and training

·         Observes and supervises trainees within the department, ensuring appropriate feedback is given

Information technology and administrative duties

·         Receives and take queries either by telephone or letters from staff members or GP’s such as requests for audiological testing and the booking of patient’s appointments etc.

Research and development

·         Occasionally undertake research and development activities and actively seek out opportunities for involvement in national research projects

·         To undertake and assist in clinical audit, report on outcomes and make recommendations for change to the Audiology Service Manager

·         Participation in Departmental audit and development activities, with particular reference to implementation of UKAS and national recommendations

Freedom to act

·         Assist in the day to day running of the Department