Paediatric Audiologist

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical and Scientific.

To be responsible for performing Audiological assessments on children aged 6 months plus as part of Audiologist-led and doctor-led clinics.

This will include otoscopy, Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry, acoustic reflexes and Oto-acoustic emissions.

To undertake independent assessments of children, including taking an appropriate history, conducting tests, and formulating individual management plans (IMPs), based on these results.To ensure that the IMP is communicated to the relevant health care professionals /other professionals.

To be accountable for the day-to-day management of pertinent work areas, ensuring that equipment is maintained correctly and daily checks/calibration are carried out, reporting any faults as appropriate to the relevant member of the team.

To analyse and interpret a broad spectrum of paediatric test results and recommend appropriate audiological intervention. Determining the reason for erroneous clinical test results.

To undertake otoacoustic emissions testing of neonates referred from the NHSP. This will include taking saliva swabs for potential cCMV

To assist in med- led and Audiologist led hearing aid review clinics

To fit hearing aids to older children for temporary conductive losses-as directed by line manager or Paediatric lead.

To ensure that departmental/national recommended procedures/protocols/guidelines are adhered to and a high level of competence is maintained.

Perform evening and weekend clinics as required

Rotate at other community/hospital sites as required, as directed by line manager, and/or due to service requirements.

2. Research and Development.

To participate in research projects as required.

To maintain up to date knowledge and to keep abreast of professional change and development in the fields of Paediatric Audiology

Participation in Family Friendly Paediatric Service Provision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

To participate in departmental audit.

To attend meetings as required regarding Audiology Service Issues, Risk management.

To present educational/research information received from formal training to other members of staff.

To attend service training and study courses as required for personal development and/ or the advancement of the service.

To provide necessary information as required for equipment procurement, quality assurance, and clinical governance to Senior Clinical Scientist/Consultant to enable best practice and service development.

To be responsible for monitoring own CPD activity to ensure registration requirements are fulfilled.

3. Management

To be responsible for an area within Paediatric Audiology such as infection control as directed by line manager and Paediatric lead.

To attend meetings and feedback to the team- as directed by line manager and Paediatric lead

To ensure that incidents are reported and logged appropriately..

4. Administrative/Other.

To provide timely and accurate reports for patients seen for direct referral, issue of hearing aids and Paediatric assessment clinics for older children.

To ensure that patients records are comprehensive and kept up to date on the computerised management system following each consultation.

To occasionally book/cancel/change appointments for patients-as directed by line manager/professional lead.

To maintain confidentiality at all times.

To contribute to departmental and team meetings.

To assist in the overall smooth running of the department including health and safety.

To provide cover for temporary absence for Paediatric Audiologists

To assist departmental colleagues in inducting/training new staff to the department (this will include locums).

To ensure rooms are stocked appropriately and to escalate low/no stock to appropriate staff.

To attend 1:1 meetings with line manager

To take part in own direct and indirect clinical supervision-as required by line manager

To actively participate in personal development-including own personal appraisal.

Involved in providing clinical training to ATO/MSc/BSc students, and junior members of staff.

To act on queries raised by junior staff, or clients, and ensure that feedback is provided in a timely fashion. To ensure that any issues are escalated appropriately to the Service Manager/Professional lead.

Please see Job description and personal specification for full outline of main role and responsibilities

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Audiology or equivalent
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Audiology/Clinical Physiologist in Audiology-with either HCPC or AHCS

Desirable

• Higher training (e.g MSc in Audiological science/Diploma in Audiology, CAC or equivalent)
• BSL-level 1

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Personal time management to ensure work is completed
• Explanation of results and rehabilitation strategies in a patient friendly and sensitive way
• Ability to understand cultural needs of a patient
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good patient handling skills
• General IT skills

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate clinical experience in Audiology
• Clinical experience of Paediatric audiological assessment and management
• Knowledge of Audiological tests/equipment
• Experience of using Auditbase patient management system
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Knowledge of British protocols and procedures
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Understanding of issues surrounding hearing impairment

Desirable

• Knowledge of hearing aids and verification
• Experience of fitting and reviewing hearing aids to older children

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and independently
• Patient and sympathetic to the needs of the hearing Impaired and families
• Ability to interact appropriately with children of all ages and their families

Desirable

• Ability to handle difficult situations including: antagonist and distraught patients.

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).