Advanced Audiologist - Otology

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Clinical Duties

Rehabilitation duties

Take social histories and listening needs assessments in adults, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary individual 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:

o Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results

o Accurately fit digital hearing aids to infants, children and adults using real ear/probe microphone measurements

o Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids based on objective and subjective assessments of development and progress, and onward referral to other specialist services

Provide counselling to patients and parents/carers regarding the nature and extent of any hearing loss, and the options on how this could be managed

Manage distressed or angry patients sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options

Supports the vestibular rehabilitation service

Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems and learning difficulties

Ensure patients and parents/carers are fully aware of the use of any devices issued

Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service

Manage complex cases, including taking referrals from junior and specialist staff

Provide expert advice to other staff, including wards, health visitors and ENT

Diagnostic duties

To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from national screening programmes, primary care and as referrals from ENT or other health care professionals

To provide specialist audiological assessment of otology patients referred to the ENT service, on behalf of the ENT department

To determine the appropriate test battery for dizzy patients seen as referrals from primary care or from specialist services

Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings

Take medical histories of patients with directly referred from national screening programmes and primary care with hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness 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:

o Accurately test hearing of adults, including those with learning difficulties, and children, using appropriate techniques for the individuals age and level of ability

o Accurately perform objective tests of auditory function on children and adults, and vestibular function on adults, including electrophysiological tests of hearing and balance, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emissions

Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols

Other duties

Develop new departmental guidance and protocols based on national and international developments and the changing evidence base

Take a lead in audits and other measures of quality

Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings

Provide training and supervision to pre-registration and basic grade audiology staff

Provide training and supervision of specialist audiology staff, including both formal and informal post-graduate training and development

Provide training to other staff groups, including medical students, nursing staff and community-based health professionals

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 of the multi-disciplinary team

Assist the team leader in the maintenance and calibration of the services equipment

Keeping accurate activity statistics

Prioritise own workload and workload of others

Take responsibility for own continual professional development, and support that of other staff

Take a lead 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

• MSc in Audiological Science or equivalent OR
• MSc level of expertise in a specialist area of audiology with BSc in Audiology or equivalent qualification.
• Registered as Clinical Physiologist in Audiology (AHCS) OR Clinical Scientist in Audiology (HCPC)

Desirable

• STP, HTS in paediatrics or vestibular, CAC, or equivalent experiential learning
• Computer literate (ECDL)

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Effective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.

Desirable

• Ability to facilitate change within the work area.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven evidence of recent CPD
• Highly developed specialist proven knowledge
• General Audiology Background
• Proven awareness of research and evidence based practice within setting

Desirable

• Research - conference presentations, peer reviewed articles or equivalent
• Clinical audit
• Proven knowledge of patient administration system
• Proven knowledge of NHS service provision and pathways
• Extensive demonstrable experience at a specialist level in paediatric 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Rd

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)