Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Audiology Apprentice

This job is now closed

Job summary

Do you want a career in Audiology? Want to study towards a degree while working and earning money? Then look no further!

We are looking for 2 motivated and enthusiastic individuals who would like to apprentice in Audiology. This will allow you to gain a BSc (Hons), tuition fee free, while working and earning a band 2 salary. You are guaranteed a band 5 post within our department once graduated. If you have dreamed of gaining a degree this could be perfect for you; you will be earning whilst you are learning, it couldnt get any better!

As the successful candidate, you will cover the basics of audiology through to the assessment and fitting of hearing aids. You will work towards becoming an autonomous clinician undertaking your own outpatients clinics, providing assessment and rehabilitation to patients. You will be studying regularly at Middlesex University part time and spend the rest of your time in the department.

If you are committed to study alongside learning on the job, then this is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has attained their GCSEs and A Levels or equivalent. Perhaps you are just finishing college, or you may have some other experiences and keen to undertake a new role?

We are a large friendly team that covers all aspects of Audiology including paediatrics, vestibular, and tinnitus. We have a long successful training history and support trainees from all levels of Audiology education and this could be the start of a new exciting varied career for you!

Main duties of the job

The Audiology Apprentice is a developmental role, which enables progression towards registration as an Audiologist through the completion of the apprenticeship.

You will be provided with full training both via Middlesex university on the 3-year level 6 accredited apprenticeship scheme and through work-based learning. You will work full time whereby 80% of your time will be spent work-based learning within the department at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham and our other sites across West Sussex and the Isle of Wight, and the other 20% will be off site training, including self-directed learning and university learning.

Your successful completion is determined by a clinical logbook and an independent End-Point assessment to ensure that you have sufficient learning and knowledge and that the learning objectives of the course have been met. You will be fully supported by both the department and the university throughout.

You will be fully supported to flourish into a fully competent and autonomous clinician who will be eligible for registration with the RCCP and HCPC post qualification. Your roles will have direct contact with the public and you will aid patients with the assessment of their hearing, the fitting of devices and repairing hearing aids. You will be able to make a real difference to patients lives and if you feel this is for you then dont delay, apply today!

About us

The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital. We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast and you may have seen us on the TV series Nurses on the Ward. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Date posted

13 January 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£20,270 to £21,318 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C8192-SD-23-0148

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Audiology Apprentice is a developmental role, which enables progression towards registration as an Audiologist through the completion of the apprenticeship.

The post holder will be provided with full training both via Middlesex university on the 3-year level 6 accredited apprenticeship scheme and through work-based learning. They will be working towards a BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science. This will be a full-time position whereby 80% of their time will be spent work-based learning within the department and the other 20% will be off site training, including self-directed learning and university learning. University learning will take place both onsite at Middlesex university and via distance learning.

Successful completion is determined by a clinical logbook and an independent End-Point assessment to ensure that the trainee has sufficient learning and knowledge and that the learning objectives of the course have been met.

The apprenticeship will cover the basics of audiology through to the assessment and fitting of hearing aid patients. They will be working towards becoming an autonomous clinician undertaking their own outpatient clinics, providing assessment and rehabilitation to patients referred into the department. As well as face-to-face contact with patients, the role includes some telephone support and administration roles.

After completing the apprenticeship, the postholder will be eligible to register with the HCPC and RCCP and be able to work as a band 5 audiologist. The candidate will be expected to work for the Trust for a minimum of 12 months post qualification.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Safety, Patient Experience and Use of Resource

Ensure all possible steps are taken to safeguard the welfare, safety and security of patients, visitors and staff in accordance with Trust policies.

Meet the needs of Audiology of patients under the direction of a registered health care professional. Acting always within your sphere of competence as determined by the minimum skill set for an Audiology Apprentice.

Work in partnership with patients to respect their rights and choices.

Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and ensure Trust Policy is followed regarding Infection Control and Prevention.

Report adverse incidents in accordance with Trust policy.

Record and report information onto patient administration systems in written and electronic format, including performing generic admin duties to assist the team.

Always promote and demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication with patients, relatives and colleagues recognising the need for tact, consideration and confidentiality.

Team Working

Work as part of a large Audiology centre, including adult rehabilitation, paediatrics, vestibular and tinnitus services.

Undertake organisational and administrative duties as required.

Participate in innovation and contribute to enhancing the quality of healthcare by attending department meetings; participate in projects, including audit and quality initiatives pertinent to the role.

Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice, e.g. health and safety, infection control.

Treat all patients and colleagues with respect in accordance with Trust values and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Professional Education and Development Role

Clinical

Working towards completing and interpreting independent clinical tests, reporting and decision making for routine adult patients. Including hearing aid assessment, hearing aid fitting, signposting to supporting agencies, basic tinnitus support, Hearing aid repairs and ENT support.

To develop a patient centred approach to care and liaising and working together with patients regarding their onward management.

To learn and recognise conditions that require onward referrals and further medical treatment when necessary.

Working towards the independent completion of reports or referrals to GPs or other clinical staff as per departmental and national guidance as required.

Ensuring rooms are stocked, assisting with monitoring of stock and leaflets. Sending and receiving earmolds.

Day to day management of relevant clinical and administrative functions of the Portsmouth Audiology Service, ensuring the Audiology service maintains the highest possible standards of care; and clinical and management decisions are effectively communicated throughout the audiology service.

To learn to effectively communicate with people with complex communication needs, including, those with significant hearing difficulties and dual sensory losses. To use these skills to obtain comprehensive history information, including where appropriate liaising with their carers and/or parents.

Timely and effective response to telephone, postal and email enquiries from professionals and patients.

Educational

To be independently driven to progress and is motivated to complete all aspects of their academic and department based work.

To complete all work-based training, academics and assessments in the given timescales.

To plan and prioritise own academic, clinical and administrative workload throughout training.

To maintain good attendance for work, university and assessments

To identify opportunities for learning and to raise concerns to supervisor/training lead in a timely manner.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Audiology Apprentice is a developmental role, which enables progression towards registration as an Audiologist through the completion of the apprenticeship.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Safety, Patient Experience and Use of Resource

Ensure all possible steps are taken to safeguard the welfare, safety and security of patients, visitors and staff in accordance with Trust policies.

Work in partnership with patients to respect their rights and choices.

Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and ensure Trust Policy is followed regarding Infection Control and Prevention.

Report adverse incidents in accordance with Trust policy.

Record and report information onto patient administration systems in written and electronic format, including performing generic admin duties to assist the team.

Always promote and demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication with patients, relatives and colleagues recognising the need for tact, consideration and confidentiality.

Team Working

Work as part of a large Audiology centre, including adult rehabilitation, paediatrics, vestibular and tinnitus services.

Undertake organisational and administrative duties as required.

Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice, e.g. health and safety, infection control.

Treat all patients and colleagues with respect in accordance with Trust values and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Professional Education and Development Role

Clinical

To develop a patient centred approach to care and liaising and working together with patients regarding their onward management.

To learn and recognise conditions that require onward referrals and further medical treatment when necessary.

Working towards the independent completion of reports or referrals to GPs or other clinical staff as per departmental and national guidance as required.

Ensuring rooms are stocked, assisting with monitoring of stock and leaflets. Sending and receiving earmolds.

Timely and effective response to telephone, postal and email enquiries from professionals and patients.

Educational

To be independently driven to progress and is motivated to complete all aspects of their academic and department based work.

To complete all work-based training, academics and assessments in the given timescales.

To plan and prioritise own academic, clinical and administrative workload throughout training.

To maintain good attendance for work, university and assessments

To identify opportunities for learning and to raise concerns to supervisor/training lead in a timely manner.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Two A Levels or equivalent are required and should include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Biology preferred).
At least Grade 4 or C GCSE Maths and English.

Experience

Essential

Working as part of a team.
Working in a customer or patient facing role.
Managing own workload .
Can demonstrate understanding and share the Trust values of Working Together for Patients, With Compassion, As One Team and Always Improving.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Decisive and able to work independently, whilst recognising limitations and when to seek advice.
Effective communication skill including working with elderly people and/or people with hearing impairments.
Able to work to deadlines.
Good time management skills.
Effective team worker .
Responsive and flexible attitude/approach.
Excellent communication skills, both orally and written.
Well organised and disciplined.
Awareness of importance of confidentiality/ data protection.
Keenness to learn.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Two A Levels or equivalent are required and should include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Biology preferred).
At least Grade 4 or C GCSE Maths and English.

Experience

Essential

Working as part of a team.
Working in a customer or patient facing role.
Managing own workload .
Can demonstrate understanding and share the Trust values of Working Together for Patients, With Compassion, As One Team and Always Improving.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Decisive and able to work independently, whilst recognising limitations and when to seek advice.
Effective communication skill including working with elderly people and/or people with hearing impairments.
Able to work to deadlines.
Good time management skills.
Effective team worker .
Responsive and flexible attitude/approach.
Excellent communication skills, both orally and written.
Well organised and disciplined.
Awareness of importance of confidentiality/ data protection.
Keenness to learn.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.