Job summary
Are you interested in providing healthcare to your local community? Do you have excellent communication skills, good A-Levels (ABB with at least one science or equivalent alternative) and a willingness to learn? We have an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate to embark on the Audiology Apprenticeship. This is a 4 year training programme, starting September 2024 . On completion of the successful candidate will gain their BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) provided by Aston University, and be eligible for registration as a clinical physiologist in Audiology.
For more information about the role of an Audiologist please visit the British Academy of Audiology website.
You must have the qualifications necessary to enrol on the course.
***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
This is a developmental role. The trainee will work towards progression into the post of Audiologist through successful completion of the Healthcare Science Practitioner: Audiology Apprenticeship which includes the attainment of a level 6 BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology).
They will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and behaviours related to the role of Audiologist within the service and through completion of the training programme which includes working in care settings and delivery of person-centred clinical and diagnostic service.
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
The Apprentice Audiologist will work closely with qualified audiologists and other staff as required, in order to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to undertake the role of Audiologist. During the training programme, and working under appropriate direction and supervision, the apprentice will be trained to carry out the duties of an audiologist:
Clinical Duties
Diagnostic duties
- To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from primary care and as referrals from ENT
- Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings
- Take medical histories of patients directly referred from primary care to exclude pathologies requiring a medical opinion
- Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
- Accurately test adults hearing, and children over the age of 4 years, using pure tone audiometry, uncomfortable loudness levels, speech audiometry and other subjective tests
- Assist senior colleagues in testing hearing of children younger than 4 years
- Accurately perform objective tests of auditory function on children and adults, including tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emissions
- Assist senior colleagues in advanced electrophysiological tests of hearing and balance
- Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols
Rehabilitation duties
- Take social histories and listening needs assessments in adults, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary management plans
- Take accurate aural impressions of adults and children
- Modify ear moulds using the range of laboratory equipment available
- Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
- Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results
- Accurately fit digital hearing aids to adults using real ear/probe microphone measurements, and assist senior staff in fitting children and adults with learning difficulties
- Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids and onward referral to other specialist services
- Provide counselling to patients and/or significant others regarding the nature and extent of any hearing deficit, and the options on how this could be managed
- Manage distressed or angry patients sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options
- Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems, with support from senior staff
- Ensure patients and/or significant others are fully aware of the use of any devices issued
- Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service
- Provide expert advice to other staff, including wards, health visitors and ENT
Other duties
- Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical records using the computerised patient management system and hospital records
- Provide written and verbal reports on patients to referrers and other members to the multi-disciplinary team
- Assist in keeping accurate activity statistics
- Prioritise own workload
- Take responsibility for own continual professional development
- Participate in continuous service improvement to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care
- Assist in stock and equipment management, including the carrying of equipment and stock to peripheral/ community clinics and for domiciliary services
- Ensure efficient use of resources
- Participate in departmental research and audit, and multi-centre trials
- Actively participate in departmental team meetings and training
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Apprentice Audiologist will work closely with qualified audiologists and other staff as required, in order to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to undertake the role of Audiologist. During the training programme, and working under appropriate direction and supervision, the apprentice will be trained to carry out the duties of an audiologist:
Clinical Duties
Diagnostic duties
- To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from primary care and as referrals from ENT
- Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings
- Take medical histories of patients directly referred from primary care to exclude pathologies requiring a medical opinion
- Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
- Accurately test adults hearing, and children over the age of 4 years, using pure tone audiometry, uncomfortable loudness levels, speech audiometry and other subjective tests
- Assist senior colleagues in testing hearing of children younger than 4 years
- Accurately perform objective tests of auditory function on children and adults, including tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emissions
- Assist senior colleagues in advanced electrophysiological tests of hearing and balance
- Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols
Rehabilitation duties
- Take social histories and listening needs assessments in adults, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary management plans
- Take accurate aural impressions of adults and children
- Modify ear moulds using the range of laboratory equipment available
- Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
- Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results
- Accurately fit digital hearing aids to adults using real ear/probe microphone measurements, and assist senior staff in fitting children and adults with learning difficulties
- Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids and onward referral to other specialist services
- Provide counselling to patients and/or significant others regarding the nature and extent of any hearing deficit, and the options on how this could be managed
- Manage distressed or angry patients sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options
- Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems, with support from senior staff
- Ensure patients and/or significant others are fully aware of the use of any devices issued
- Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service
- Provide expert advice to other staff, including wards, health visitors and ENT
Other duties
- Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical records using the computerised patient management system and hospital records
- Provide written and verbal reports on patients to referrers and other members to the multi-disciplinary team
- Assist in keeping accurate activity statistics
- Prioritise own workload
- Take responsibility for own continual professional development
- Participate in continuous service improvement to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care
- Assist in stock and equipment management, including the carrying of equipment and stock to peripheral/ community clinics and for domiciliary services
- Ensure efficient use of resources
- Participate in departmental research and audit, and multi-centre trials
- Actively participate in departmental team meetings and training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A-levels including at least one Science (or equivalent)
- To be studying at minimum of degree level, moving towards Masters.
- Working towards registration as Clinical Physiologist in Audiology (RCCP)
Desirable
- GCSE in English and Match at Grade C or equivalent
Communication
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good written communication skills
Aptitude and skills
Essential
- Ability to develop academic and practical skills
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Ability to motivate and innovate practice, acting as a role model and a resource for learning
- Has a full understanding of the workings of the department and how this fits within the trust and referring authorities.
- Interest in career in audiology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A-levels including at least one Science (or equivalent)
- To be studying at minimum of degree level, moving towards Masters.
- Working towards registration as Clinical Physiologist in Audiology (RCCP)
Desirable
- GCSE in English and Match at Grade C or equivalent
Communication
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good written communication skills
Aptitude and skills
Essential
- Ability to develop academic and practical skills
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Ability to motivate and innovate practice, acting as a role model and a resource for learning
- Has a full understanding of the workings of the department and how this fits within the trust and referring authorities.
- Interest in career in audiology
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
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).
