Newborn Hearing Screener

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic person to join our friendly Newborn Hearing Screening team in Manchester.

As one of the largest hearing screening programmes in the North West we play a vital role in the early detection of permanent significant childhood hearing impairments, completing approximately 16,500 newborn hearing screens a year.

The role will suit an individual who would like to develop their career in a healthcare position. If you have previous experience of working with the public, especially parents and babies, and are computer confident then this could be the job for you.

The post is 30 hours per week (4 x 7.5 hour shifts), and includes regular weekend and bank holiday working at an enhanced pay rate. The role will be based primarily at Oxford Road Campus, but you may occasionally be asked to work at one of the other sites, or to support outpatient clinics. A full driving license and access to a car is therefore essential.

We provide a comprehensive training programme including service specific training to complete an external competency assessment. You will be required to undertake a Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners to become a qualified Newborn Hearing Screener. The Diploma involves a range of written, oral, and practical assessments and must be completed within 12 months of enrolment.

For further information, or to arrange an informal visit, please call 0161 529 6982.

Main duties of the job

Newborn hearing screening is performed to identify permanent, significant hearing impairment in newborn babies. Early identification can reduce the impact on the development of language, speech and communication skills.

As a newborn hearing screener, you will:

Be committed to delivering a high quality of care to meet the National Public Health England (PHE) quality assurance standards, local policies and procedures, to ensure the service reaches key performance indicator deadlines.

Identify all newborn babies requiring screening and ensure the Newborn Hearing Screen is offered.

Communicate effectively with parents/carers, providing clear and accurate information regarding the hearing screening programme.

Obtain informed consent as per national and local protocols.

Promote a professional and caring environment endorsing a ‘family friendly’ approach to care.

Carry out hearing screening within the maternity units (including Special Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units) and outpatient clinics, using specialised equipment, as per national and local protocols and procedures.

Accurately process data on the Smart4Hearing screening database including transfer of in area and out of area records.

Use EMIS to manage patient activity in outpatient clinics.

Make referrals to the audiology departments as per local procedure.

Take cCMV swabs for babies who fail their newborn hearing screen.

Further information can be found in the attached Job Description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.