Job summary
We have a vacancy for a Senior Audiology Assistant (1 WTE) to work in the Audiology Service based primarily at Derriford Hospital. The post-holder will carry out a number of support tasks to ensure the smooth running of the technical and scientific aspects of the service, and will be trained to carry out hearing aid maintenance and aftercare duties, which are both directly patient-facing and also remote. It is essential applicants have NVQ Level 3 in related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience, and are able to empathise with and support deaf and hard of hearing people. Keyboard skills and demonstrable experience of databases and spreadsheets is highly desirable. This post may involve an element of physical exertion. Demonstrable experience in handling difficult situations and a mature outlook on life is desirable. Part-time, job share and flexible hours working are all welcome.
For an informal discussion, please contact Adam Beckman, Head of Audiology Services via:
Tel: 01752 438056
Email: adam.beckman@nhs.net
or Rob Brunton, Acting Team Leader Adult Rehabilitation via:
01752 431254
Email: rob.brunton@nhs.net
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
1. To carry out routine hearing aid repairs and aftercare with associated clinical tasks2. To carry out clerical and administrative duties within the Audiology department
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Management responsibilities
- Assist in the smooth running of the hearing aid repair service and the support roles of ear mould management and stock organisation
- Assist in the training of new audiology assistants
- Involved in training of medical and audiology students, and hearing support volunteers.
- Assist in stock check management
- Clinical and Technical Responsibilities
- Assess patients test results, history and presentation on the day to:
Modify existing ear moulds or venting; take aural impressions to make new ear moulds according to the assessment; instigate emergency referral if indicated
- Digital hearing aid maintenance and repair service:
Test hearing aid function subjectively and objectively using electroacoustic test box; repair or replace faulty hearing aids; retubing and other ear mould repairs, including drilling and grinding to increase comfort or performance; otoscopic examination to check ears for wax, infection or contraindication for taking an impression; ward or home visits as required; safe use of electrical and mechanical equipment
- Communication with patients:
Quickly understand patients clinical complaints or other queries; ensure patient has understood the treatment or other plan; deal sensitively with patients who may be distressed or have significant other health problems; communication to include face-to-face conversation, telephone conversation, email and textphone conversation; patient groups include: children; deaf or hard of hearing adults; adults with learning difficulties; adults with dementia; carers/significant others.
- Adherence to protocols/guidelines
Clinical work to be carried out according to local or national protocols or guidelines; some scope for using clinical judgement according to changes in patients circumstances, with support of registered staff as required; recognition when tasks are beyond the individuals scope of practice and onward referral to registered professional.
Takes part in departmental research and audit as required.
Records all clinical activity in the departmental clinical database. Ensure details of patients updated.
- Ensure that clinical rooms are prepared, according to locally agreed practice.
- Administrative Duties
- Assisting in ensuring that incoming reports, such as those from the Hearing Support Volunteers, are logged on the Audiology Patient Management System, and appropriate action taken where necessary.
- Assisting in ensuring GP requests for hearing aid repairs are met in a timely fashion.
- Assisting in ensuring that digital hearing aid stock is logged on to the Audiology Patient Management System, and that repair stock is logged in and out.
- Assisting in ensuring that individual patient ear moulds are ready for fitting appointments, or posted to individuals, as required.
- Assisting in ensuring that regular battery stock is supplied to Health Centres and GP practices.
- Assisting in ensuring that the technical calls phone and voicemail is managed and action taken. Ensuring that locally agreed timescales are maintained for clearing any voicemail messages and taking necessary action.
- Assisting in ensuring that the stock is prepared for the monthly stock count.
- Assisting in ensuring that patient information leaflets remain stocked throughout the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Management responsibilities
- Assist in the smooth running of the hearing aid repair service and the support roles of ear mould management and stock organisation
- Assist in the training of new audiology assistants
- Involved in training of medical and audiology students, and hearing support volunteers.
- Assist in stock check management
- Clinical and Technical Responsibilities
- Assess patients test results, history and presentation on the day to:
Modify existing ear moulds or venting; take aural impressions to make new ear moulds according to the assessment; instigate emergency referral if indicated
- Digital hearing aid maintenance and repair service:
Test hearing aid function subjectively and objectively using electroacoustic test box; repair or replace faulty hearing aids; retubing and other ear mould repairs, including drilling and grinding to increase comfort or performance; otoscopic examination to check ears for wax, infection or contraindication for taking an impression; ward or home visits as required; safe use of electrical and mechanical equipment
- Communication with patients:
Quickly understand patients clinical complaints or other queries; ensure patient has understood the treatment or other plan; deal sensitively with patients who may be distressed or have significant other health problems; communication to include face-to-face conversation, telephone conversation, email and textphone conversation; patient groups include: children; deaf or hard of hearing adults; adults with learning difficulties; adults with dementia; carers/significant others.
- Adherence to protocols/guidelines
Clinical work to be carried out according to local or national protocols or guidelines; some scope for using clinical judgement according to changes in patients circumstances, with support of registered staff as required; recognition when tasks are beyond the individuals scope of practice and onward referral to registered professional.
Takes part in departmental research and audit as required.
Records all clinical activity in the departmental clinical database. Ensure details of patients updated.
- Ensure that clinical rooms are prepared, according to locally agreed practice.
- Administrative Duties
- Assisting in ensuring that incoming reports, such as those from the Hearing Support Volunteers, are logged on the Audiology Patient Management System, and appropriate action taken where necessary.
- Assisting in ensuring GP requests for hearing aid repairs are met in a timely fashion.
- Assisting in ensuring that digital hearing aid stock is logged on to the Audiology Patient Management System, and that repair stock is logged in and out.
- Assisting in ensuring that individual patient ear moulds are ready for fitting appointments, or posted to individuals, as required.
- Assisting in ensuring that regular battery stock is supplied to Health Centres and GP practices.
- Assisting in ensuring that the technical calls phone and voicemail is managed and action taken. Ensuring that locally agreed timescales are maintained for clearing any voicemail messages and taking necessary action.
- Assisting in ensuring that the stock is prepared for the monthly stock count.
- Assisting in ensuring that patient information leaflets remain stocked throughout the department.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oAble to provide an efficient open access hearing aid repair service after training
- oDealing with patient technical enquiries
- oDemonstrable Customer service experience
Desirable
- oPrevious demonstrable experience working with the elderly
- oGeneral Audiology background
Qualifications
Essential
- oNVQ Level 3 in related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable
- oComputer literate (ECDL)
- oPractical proven knowledge through formal accredited courses such as: Assistant Audiologist Training Course Pre-School Audiology Course
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- oGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
- oEffective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.
Desirable
- oAbility to facilitate change within the work area
- oGood hand to eye co-ordination
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oAble to provide an efficient open access hearing aid repair service after training
- oDealing with patient technical enquiries
- oDemonstrable Customer service experience
Desirable
- oPrevious demonstrable experience working with the elderly
- oGeneral Audiology background
Qualifications
Essential
- oNVQ Level 3 in related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable
- oComputer literate (ECDL)
- oPractical proven knowledge through formal accredited courses such as: Assistant Audiologist Training Course Pre-School Audiology Course
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- oGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
- oEffective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.
Desirable
- oAbility to facilitate change within the work area
- oGood hand to eye co-ordination
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
