Senior Audiologist – Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Service

Job overview

Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Clinic provides rehabilitative treatments for people experiencing tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Referrals for therapy are accepted from GPs, ENTs, audio-vestibular physicians, mental health professionals, paediatricians, and other relevant sources.

The post-holder will provide (1) various forms of evidence-based therapeutic interventions for patient experiencing tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia, and (2) routine and specialist audiological rehabilitative services to adults with hearing impairment within the adult audiology team.

The post-holder will work closely with the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Team Lead in the development of the service. They will liaise with other specialities and professionals, working within a multi-disciplinary team.

The post-holder will be required to work across sites to cover clinics at Royal Surrey County Hospital, including its outreach sites and domiciliary visits. Access to a car is highly recommended. The post holder will also have the opportunity to regularly work from home offering video appointments.

Please note this role includes participation in 7-day a week working rota to support the service. Core hours of service are 9am - 5pm. Flexible working patterns can be discussed at interview.

For further information contact Karen Lammaing, Head of Audiology on 01483 571122 x2535 or email on klammaing@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

This will cover the maintenance of demonstrably high professional standards in respect of:

• The scientific, technical, therapeutic, rehabilitation and clinical activity of the service
• Patient care
• The effective and efficient use of resources and the management of workload
• The provision of professional advice consistent with the responsibilities and expertise of the department
• Service development
• Teaching and training of junior staff
• Assisting the Audiology service with annual seminars
• Be responsible for the day to day running and routine organisation and operation of Audiology clinics, primarily in the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Audiology service for both adults and children. This includes dedicated outreach clinics and domiciliary clinics. 2. Work at an advanced clinical audiology level and undertake specialist tinnitus & hyperacusis audiological and psychometric assessments.
• Perform, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of tests related to hearing disorders, including advanced techniques. 4. Provide a comprehensive range of expert diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services for patients, including determining care plans for individual patients and involving carers and families as appropriate. 5. Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities relating to the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids with adults. 6. Assist the Adult team leads in management duties.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide clinical sessions and be responsible for the routine operation of clinical sessions, primarily in the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Audiology service for both adults and children.
• Support the financial management of the Audiology Service at RSFT, working as the designated lead audiologist when at an outreach clinic.
• Work according to the policies, protocols and procedures of the Audiology service and will apply for advice and guidance from senior staff and the Head of Audiology services as necessary.
• Be responsible for the supervision and training of students and junior staff and participate in the development of audiology staff and service development.
• Formulate and deliver patient-centred and evidence-based therapy programmes for clients with complex needs, e.g. co-morbidities of hyperacusis, tinnitus, hearing impairment and psychological disturbances.
• Perform, assess, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of testing activities related to disorders of hearing, including advanced techniques, working with adults and school-age children and working as part of a team with younger children.
• Provide a comprehensive range of adult rehabilitation services for patients, including management of patients with severe to profound hearing loss, patients with near-normal hearing, patients with complex and special needs, patients suitable for cochlear implantation. Supporting the development and maintenance of a user-friendly service.
• Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities associated with the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids. Update knowledge and awareness of recent developments in hearing aid technology on a regular basis; and have the skill to apply this information to the use and application of appropriate hearing aids.
• Be responsible for the careful and accurate recording of patient sessions and clinical observations on Audit base and other patient information systems. Be involved in archiving paper based data onto computer systems and writing in patient notes in compliance with Trust policies.
• Have the judgmental skills needed in performing and choosing the tests required in supporting ENT clinics, complex and special needs clinics based on the patient history.
• Undertake advanced audiological techniques to assist consultant staff with the diagnosis and treatment of adult and paediatric patients. 12. Use clinical and non-clinical resources efficiently and effectively. Be responsible for the care, use and daily calibration of equipment, reporting on any faults and acting on faults reported by junior staff so that repair and maintenance of equipment can be maintained at a high standard.
• Be required to communicate complex information to patients and families with skill and sensitivity. Be able to explain audiological test results (including complex technical information), and reassure patients and families. The post holder should be able adapt their communication style to ensure that the patient/family are able to understand them using communication tactics that are optimal for the patient.
• Be responsible for liaising and communicating with other support services.
• Be required to offer counselling and support in emotive and sensitive situations; sympathetically handling the expectations, questions, frustrations and distress of patients.
• Be able to deal with aggressive or confrontational patients/parents by calming the situation.
• Provide specialist advice counselling and support to patients, parents and children to help minimise disability due to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems. Be able to advise reluctant hearing aid users of the potential benefits of using amplification.
• Advise on assistive listening devices and other services for those with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems referring to other agencies, specialised staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide specialist advice on technical issues and audiological support.
• Implement good working practices in compliance with the Trust’s Human Resources policies.
• Take responsibility for handling complaints and any concerns arising from patients in outreach clinics or RSCH in collaboration with the Clinical Leads and the Head of Audiology Services.
• Have computer keyboard skills and the knowledge to be able to use the departmental IT systems including the patient management system.
• Participate in research and development as may be necessary, and in audit and monitoring performance in order to assure the quality of services and strive for continued improvement in service delivery.
• Implement new procedures and make recommendations proposing changes to working practice in own area of work in liaison with the senior team with the aim of improving the patient’s experience and the service.
• Update their own professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new technologies and audiological techniques and be responsible for ensuring Continued Professional Development as required for professional registration.
• Be responsible for planning own time management and that of junior staff to ensure effective use of clinical time.
• Be responsible for undertaking monthly activity reports in the outreach clinics to monitor clinical activity and enable financial management.
• Maintain good and effective communication with all staff and the general public through the management framework of the department.
• Comply at all times with the RSCH and outreach hospitals’ Health and Safety policies in particular following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the Trust’s Incident Reporting system.
• Co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
• Maintain and participate in clinical governance of the Audiology Services.
• Respect confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
• Actively support and assist colleagues across the Trust to achieve their personal and RSFT objectives and the post holder will receive similar support.
• Take responsibility for the operational management of the Audiology service in an outreach Hospital.
• The post holder will be responsible for managing and supervising junior staff working in the outreach hospital.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.