Highly Specialised Practitioner in Audiology - Vestibular

Job overview

We are excited to offer a highly specialised post in our audiology team at Royal Preston Hospital.  As a main part of this role the post holder will perform advanced and specialist, diagnostic hearing and balance assessments while working with the multidisciplinary team on patient-centred pathway developments.

We are looking for a colleague who is passionate about evidence-based, patient-centred care and embraces team working.  The post-holder will have specialist knowledge and experience of a wide range of procedures and practices underpinned by practical experience and maintenance of professional knowledge through professional registration and CPD activity. The post-holder will apply clinical and scientific knowledge to independently perform diagnostic investigations of hearing and balance and formulate individual management plans.

Main duties of the job

As a healthcare scientist in audiology you are an integral part of both a specialist patient-facing team and a wider multidisciplinary team. Your duties will be to the quality of the patient's complete audio-vestibular journey as well as to collaborative team working.

You will need to be passionate about adding value to patient pathways and ensuring high-quality evidence-based care with a view to continuous improvement.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• This is a highly specialised patient-facing role within a vibrant team. The main responsibilities are:
• Be responsible for the complete patient journey from initial assessment to discharge in all areas of the Balance Service.
• Perform and interpret highly specialised diagnostic balance function tests such as videonystagmography, caloric assessments, video head impulse testing (vHIT) and skull vibration induced nystagmus testing (SVINT).
• Analyse and interpret results, implement management and rehabilitative procedures, including referral to other medical specialities where required.
• Perform and interpret evoked potential testing in relation to assessment of the hearing and balance system, such as vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.
• Refer patients for diagnostic scans (MRI) as required.
• Produce diagnostic reports for patients, GPs, medical staff and other healthcare professionals including advice about further investigations, management or guidance for patients where required.
• Counsel patients in the techniques of vestibular rehabilitation to formulate an individual management plan and review outcomes such as objective and subjective measures.
• Modify standard audiological tests as clinically appropriate in order to accurately assess patients with additional needs such as visual impairments, learning or communication difficulties or mobility problems.
• Communicate results of diagnostic hearing tests, the impact and prognosis of hearing loss to patients, relatives and carers. This involves overcoming barriers to acceptance by using reassurance, motivational and empathic skills to maximise assessment and rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of diagnosis, prognosis and on-going management choices.
• Impart prognosis of hearing and balance disorders and breaking news in an appropriate and empathic manner.
• Promote close working relationships and a compassionate culture within the service and with the wider multidisciplinary team.
• As required, to represent the audiology service at meetings and working groups, as appropriate to own specialist area.