BHSCT Specialist Audiologist Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: BEECH HALL WELLBEING & TREATMENT CENTRE
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 01/09/26
• Closes: Tue, 15 September 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

We accept online applications only. If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Highly Specialist Audiologist

LOCATION: Post based primarily at Auditory Implant Centre,

Beech Hall Wellbeing & Treatment Centre

BAND: 7

REPORTS TO: Band 8A Audiology Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO: Assistant Service Manager ENT / Professional Head of Audiology

JOB SUMMARY / MAIN PURPOSE

This is a highly specialist role, working autonomously, and as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), within the service of auditory implantation for adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss. This will include cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids and middle ear implants.

The post holder will provide highly specialised and technical input to the team carrying out audiological assessment, programming and rehabilitation. The post holder will also be expected to carry out management responsibilities and supervision and training as required.

The post holder will be given a role of responsibility within the department for them to develop and manage. Training and support for this role will be provided as required.

aBOUT the SERVICE

Auditory implantation is a highly specialised, scientific and surgical procedure. Whilst the surgical procedure is a single event, the procedure for activating and programming the device is an on-going scientific process requiring life-long aftercare for the patient.

The BHSCT Auditory Implant Centre provides a regional service for severe to profoundly deaf children and adults who are referred from across Northern Ireland. The Centre also offers other implantable devices for combined sensori-neural and conductive deafness (single-sided and bilateral deafness).

This specialist service is currently delivered by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of professionals which includes Consultant Otolaryngologists, Clinical Scientists, Audiologists, Speech & Language Therapists, and administrative/secretarial support.

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

For each of the following, the postholder will;

Undertake specialist assessment and evaluation of suitability for Auditory Implants of adult and paediatric patients including non-routine cases and those with complex needs. This includes history taking, assessing disability and expectations and carrying out hearing and auditory function tests to include pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, functional speech assessment, sound field measures. Testing should be adapted to suit individual patient needs as appropriate, using skills to maintain the interest and co-operation of developmentally younger children and to ensure accurate results are obtained.

Analyse test results and other assessment data, enabling a clear pathway for each patient.

Ensure appropriate tests are carried out, whilst working closely with other professionals, both within the program and externally.

Be involved in the individual treatment plans for both adults and children, including deciding the frequency of follow-up visits for each case.

Evaluate hearing aids for adults and children using programming software and hearing aid test boxes. This includes using prescription formulae, assessing signal processing settings, hearing aid programming software and consideration of real ear measures to determine whether the device is set optimally for the patient. Be able to advise local departments on alterations to settings.

Provide specific information and advice to hearing impaired patients and carers, such as the decision whether to implant or not, using persuasive, motivational, empathic and re-assuring skills, to gain patient agreement with treatment plans. Communication methods should be adapted to ensure the patient is able to understand as well as possible, for example, by using recognised communication tactics for the severe and profoundly deaf, when communicating via interpreters, or when working with patients with dementia.

Work in partnership with the other members of the Auditory Implant Team in advising and counselling patients and parents on auditory implantation and in making them aware of the commitment and factors that influence outcome, ensuring that the patient's family's expectations are realistic. Be able to communicate complex technical concepts in an easily understood language.

Contribute to the multi-disciplinary team decision as to whether implantation should be supported.

Carry out intra-operative testing when required including telemetry and electrical stapedial reflexes within an operating theatre setting to assess functionality of the implant.

Select programme and evaluate a range of auditory implants for adults and children, to include the provision of highly specialised services for complex and non- routine cases. Within auditory implantation, this will entail the skilled delivery of electrical impulses directly into the cochlea to establish electrical threshold, comfort and discomfort levels with careful patient monitoring for non-auditory stimulation whilst maintaining the patient's co-operation. In the case of middle ear implants, this will involve the use of dedicated software to achieve appropriate stimulation.

Initialise and optimise auditory implant maps/ software programs over time, on an individual patient basis, based on patient feedback, clinical observation and outcome measures to maximise patient benefit. Techniques will need to be adapted to suit the individual case. Skills in patient handling are required to ensure accurate results are obtained.

Maintain and perform basic repairs on auditory processors; to include monitoring performance in functional output, analysing data on programming software and carrying out listening checks as appropriate.

Record all clinical observations and test results in accordance with the Trust's information governance policies. Maintain database entries and carry out audits as required.

Clinical Management and professional duties

To demonstrate a high level of clinical skill and leadership within the service.

To actively demonstrate commitment to personal development and acquisition of further skills and in-depth knowledge in the specialist area through a systematic programme of continuing professional development, in order to maintain a high level of clinical expertise within the field of Auditory Implantation.

To assist in lectures, teaching and training Auditory Implant Team members, ENT specialists, local professional staff and parents /carers of implanted children, and potential adult users on the Audiological aspects of the Auditory Implant process.

To work in-line with the BCIG Paediatric & Adult Cochlear Implant Quality Standards

To maintain clinical state registration by maintaining the standards outlined by their professional body and achieving the statutory CPD requirements.

To keep abreast of developments in the field of Cochlear Implantation by contributing and, when required to, attending national and international conferences.

To participate in clinical audit activity including data collection and analysis.

To participate in the improvement of assessment protocols and techniques for monitoring the progress of children and adults pre- and post-auditory implantation.

To carry out research projects in areas relating to hearing loss and implantation as and when required. This will include design, implementation and final presentation for publication. Presentation of research will also be required at conferences.

To work within guidelines set out in areas of risk management quality standards and clinical effectiveness in relation to specific areas of clinical specialism in line with clinical governance.

To work within the BSA "Scope of Practice''

To comply with the Trust's risk management strategy and ensure any incident /complaint is reported according.

To maintain up-to-date patient records and provide a high standard of report writing as and when required.

To participate in the production of Paediatric and Adult Team information packs.

To participate in cross-site peer review and ensure services have rigorous quality assurance processes embedded.

Provide audiology services to all patients as required within the Trust.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING STRATEGY

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that "Cleanliness matters, is everyone's responsibility". Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes: -

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO '5 moments');

Using the correct '7 step' hand hygiene technique;

Being" 'bare below the elbows" when in a clinical environment;

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);

Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

TRUST VALUES

The Belfast Trust aims to recruit staff not only with the right skills but also with the right values to ensure the delivery of excellent patient care and experience. Staff will be expected to be committed to provide safe, effective, compassionate and person-centered care by: -

Treating Everyone with Dignity and Respect

Displaying Openness and Trust

Being Accountable

Being Leading Edge

Maximising Learning and Development

By embedding the above values, we will make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Trust's Vision.

PERSONAL PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust's ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Have experience of delivering audiology led clinics independently.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to include ability to communicate with the hearing impaired (particularly the profoundly deaf).

Good level of IT Skills, to include, word processing, use of spread sheets and patient databases.

Shortlisting by Application Form

And

Interview

Be able to demonstrate advanced level audiological testing in relation to implanted devices.

Experience of programming paediatric and adult auditory implants

And / Or

NOTE

Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role