Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic person to join our audiological team in Newham.
This is a shared post working in Adults and Paediatric audiology services across East London but predominately in the Newham area.
The department provides a comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation service for both adults and children working in the community and hospital sites.
This position also incorporates Adult Vestibular diagnostic testing and may lead to training in vestibular rehabilitation.
Audiology is managed by Bart's Health and provides services across five east London boroughs namely Tower Hamlets, City & Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge.
We have 90 plus members of staff including Clinical Scientists, Audiologists, Assistant audiologists, Audiology apprentices and admin staff.
The successful candidate will be confident, a good communicator, and able to work well within a large team they should be able to undertake audiological diagnostic and rehabilitation services for patients to include independent paediatric testing and adult vestibular testing.
You will have a Bsc/Msc in Audiology or equivalent.
You must be registered with either RCCP or HCPC (as a Clinical Scientist) or in the process of registering.
Applications from Clinical Scientists in Audiology currently in their last year placement (pending results) will be considered.
If you have previously applied within the last 6 months, please do not re-apply.
Main duties of the job
-
- To provide independent diagnostic audiological testing of Adults and Children.
- To be responsible for the safe use and calibration of equipment and ensuring accurate records are maintained.
- To provide independent diagnostic vestibular audiological testing of adults including vestibular rehabilitation as required.
- To provide a comprehensive independent hearing aid service to adults and children including determining care plans for individual patients, and involving carer's and families as appropriate in the acute, community and during domiciliary visits.
- To take an active role in areas of clinical audit, research and clinical governance for the Audiology service, which may include designing and completing audits within own field, participating in data collection for larger projects, and contributing to the development of evidence based protocols.
- To plan and prioritize elements of own workload, within the framework of service delivery priorities as defined by the line manager, and supervise the work of trainees/students and volunteers as required.
- To be responsible for the smooth running of a specified area of the audiology service, to be determined.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high quality service to the clients of East London and help the team meet their national 6 and 18 weeks targets.
Communication - To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (including observation) as appropriate during encounters with patients, carers and others, where, in addition to hearing loss, there are often other barriers to communication. (Eg visual or other disabilities, developmental age, language or cultural differences, anxiety, aggression, dementia or memory loss.) To include communicating information by telephone, in writing or electronically as required.
- To communicate effectively with colleagues both within Audiology, and across other disciplines and/or organisations as necessary. In particular to obtain guidance and advice, raise concerns about individual patients, and ensure the best possible patient care.
- To maintain links and work effectively with other professional services, to maintain effective channels of communication between colleagues within audiology, Social Services, ENT, Parents/Families and voluntary services as appropriate.
- To prepare detailed formal reports to referrers the report should take into consideration all relevant factors within the history, testing and observation. This includes the analysis and interpretation of highly complex and often conflicting audiological findings to contribute to the diagnosis and management of the patient. To formulate recommendations for further investigation, rehabilitation or referral, within professional boundaries, to seek advice from peers/seniors as required.
Clinical/Technical skills General Responsibilities:
- To work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within professional boundaries. To be ultimately accountable to the Audiology Leads, and to seek guidance from peers or senior staff whenever necessary
- To carry out all audiological procedures according to national, professional and local protocols. To justify and document any contraindications or necessary deviation from protocol in the case notes and/or medical notes, seeking guidance on justification if required. To maintain empathy and rapport with the patient during testing to maximize the quality of test results and minimize patient anxiety including identifying the relevant concerns of the patient, any contraindications to procedures, and explaining and carrying out procedures
- To accurately record the outcome of any patient contact in the case and/or medical notes (either in writing or electronically), including devices, documentation or advice given, and any relevant information or observations relating to the patient or the test conditions
- Ensure preparation of clinic rooms and equipment prior to and after clinic sessions, including calibration checks. To ensure careful use of all expensive equipment, and identification of faults in line with local procedures.
Specific responsibilities:
Diagnostic audiological assessments: To provide quality audiological assessments of patients who present with hearing difficulties. To provide a range of routine audiological tests and procedures, and specialised testing procedures (under supervision), in accordance with national professional standards and procedures, and local protocols.
- To obtain informal consent before carrying out routine, and/or specialised audiological procedures (under supervision) according to the clinical strategy.
- To explain test results and concepts for routine procedures, appropriately and sensitively, using simple language or through intermediaries such as interpreters or advocates. To advise or make recommendations to the patient, as appropriate within area of own expertise and professional boundaries.
Auditory (re)habilitation: To provide a comprehensive hearing aid service to adults in acute, community and domiciliary settings in accordance with the most recent national best practice guidance and protocols (e.g. NICE, MHAS). To include provision of specialist non-routine hearing aids under guidance from supervisor, and services to adults with complex needs e.g. learning disabilities, sensory or physical impairment.
- To undertake a comprehensive audiological assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multiple pathologies. To carry out appropriate audiological procedures in order to provide an accurate comprehensive assessment of their condition.
- To assess and address the relevant problems and concerns of the patient and/or carer, in a holistic context. This includes explaining the nature of a hearing loss or other test results and offering appropriate advice and guidance, where there may be anxiety or other barriers to understanding or co-operation.
- To follow national and local protocols of for the taking of aural impressions, hearing aid fitting/validation using specialised computerised equipment
- To ensure on-going support is available to patients via follow up, re-assessment, and maintenance sessions at main centre or outreach clinics and domiciliary visits, in accordance with national and local protocols. To evaluate patients progress, reassess and revise treatment as necessary. To include the provision of guidance to clients regarding environmental aids and communications.
- To refer clients to other professionals as required (e.g. ENT, GP, Hearing Therapy, social services, education)
Paediatric audiology: to undertake audio logical assessment of paediatric patients including those with complex presentations/multiple pathologies under supervision.
- To provide a quality audiological assessment of children of all ages using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to provide accurate audiological information to referrers/ENT to contribute to patient management.
- To carry out routine or specialized objective and behavioral audiological procedures according to local protocols, remaining flexible to the childs needs.
- To undertake responsibilities as a team member of paediatric sessions.
- To ensure that a Family Friendly approach permeates all contact between Audiology services and Deaf/Hearing impaired children and their families.
Organisational - To contribute to the day to day running of audiology clinics, ensuring all required resources are available to ensure the smooth running of the clinic; to include scheduling of appointments, arranging availability of suitable accommodation and/ or equipment, transfer of relevant case records, ear moulds and hearing aids.
- To exercise proper care in the use of all clinical, office and general stocks and supplies, including assisting in maintaining stock levels, records and stocktaking.
- To plan and prioritise elements of own workload, within the framework of service delivery priorities as defined by the line manager or Head of Service.
- To actively contribute to meetings both within the service and as a representative of the service as required within own area of expertise, which may include the taking on of formal roles such as minute taking / arranging venues etc.
Education, training and professional development - To demonstrate and explain elements of the job to individuals such as new or junior staff, students or other professionals, as required.
- To share acquired knowledge with colleagues, this may include informal presentations at team meetings.
- To attend mandatory Trust courses, participate in the departmental IPR scheme and seek to further own professional and personal development.
- To maintain professional status and competence, by engaging in and directing own continuous professional development, evidenced by an up-to-date portfolio for CPD in line with Trust, service, and/or regulatory bodies guidelines as appropriate
Research and Development - To participate in the departmental clinical audit and effectiveness programme as required, such as assistance with data collection or surveys.
- To seek to promote and use evidence-based practice, such as by participation in the departmental Clinical Effectiveness Group, which contributes to the Clinical Improvement Plan and the development of protocols.
- In general, to strive to continually improve the quality of audiological services in East London.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high quality service to the clients of East London and help the team meet their national 6 and 18 weeks targets.
Communication - To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (including observation) as appropriate during encounters with patients, carers and others, where, in addition to hearing loss, there are often other barriers to communication. (Eg visual or other disabilities, developmental age, language or cultural differences, anxiety, aggression, dementia or memory loss.) To include communicating information by telephone, in writing or electronically as required.
- To communicate effectively with colleagues both within Audiology, and across other disciplines and/or organisations as necessary. In particular to obtain guidance and advice, raise concerns about individual patients, and ensure the best possible patient care.
- To maintain links and work effectively with other professional services, to maintain effective channels of communication between colleagues within audiology, Social Services, ENT, Parents/Families and voluntary services as appropriate.
- To prepare detailed formal reports to referrers the report should take into consideration all relevant factors within the history, testing and observation. This includes the analysis and interpretation of highly complex and often conflicting audiological findings to contribute to the diagnosis and management of the patient. To formulate recommendations for further investigation, rehabilitation or referral, within professional boundaries, to seek advice from peers/seniors as required.
Clinical/Technical skills General Responsibilities:
- To work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within professional boundaries. To be ultimately accountable to the Audiology Leads, and to seek guidance from peers or senior staff whenever necessary
- To carry out all audiological procedures according to national, professional and local protocols. To justify and document any contraindications or necessary deviation from protocol in the case notes and/or medical notes, seeking guidance on justification if required. To maintain empathy and rapport with the patient during testing to maximize the quality of test results and minimize patient anxiety including identifying the relevant concerns of the patient, any contraindications to procedures, and explaining and carrying out procedures
- To accurately record the outcome of any patient contact in the case and/or medical notes (either in writing or electronically), including devices, documentation or advice given, and any relevant information or observations relating to the patient or the test conditions
- Ensure preparation of clinic rooms and equipment prior to and after clinic sessions, including calibration checks. To ensure careful use of all expensive equipment, and identification of faults in line with local procedures.
Specific responsibilities:
Diagnostic audiological assessments: To provide quality audiological assessments of patients who present with hearing difficulties. To provide a range of routine audiological tests and procedures, and specialised testing procedures (under supervision), in accordance with national professional standards and procedures, and local protocols.
- To obtain informal consent before carrying out routine, and/or specialised audiological procedures (under supervision) according to the clinical strategy.
- To explain test results and concepts for routine procedures, appropriately and sensitively, using simple language or through intermediaries such as interpreters or advocates. To advise or make recommendations to the patient, as appropriate within area of own expertise and professional boundaries.
Auditory (re)habilitation: To provide a comprehensive hearing aid service to adults in acute, community and domiciliary settings in accordance with the most recent national best practice guidance and protocols (e.g. NICE, MHAS). To include provision of specialist non-routine hearing aids under guidance from supervisor, and services to adults with complex needs e.g. learning disabilities, sensory or physical impairment.
- To undertake a comprehensive audiological assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multiple pathologies. To carry out appropriate audiological procedures in order to provide an accurate comprehensive assessment of their condition.
- To assess and address the relevant problems and concerns of the patient and/or carer, in a holistic context. This includes explaining the nature of a hearing loss or other test results and offering appropriate advice and guidance, where there may be anxiety or other barriers to understanding or co-operation.
- To follow national and local protocols of for the taking of aural impressions, hearing aid fitting/validation using specialised computerised equipment
- To ensure on-going support is available to patients via follow up, re-assessment, and maintenance sessions at main centre or outreach clinics and domiciliary visits, in accordance with national and local protocols. To evaluate patients progress, reassess and revise treatment as necessary. To include the provision of guidance to clients regarding environmental aids and communications.
- To refer clients to other professionals as required (e.g. ENT, GP, Hearing Therapy, social services, education)
Paediatric audiology: to undertake audio logical assessment of paediatric patients including those with complex presentations/multiple pathologies under supervision.
- To provide a quality audiological assessment of children of all ages using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to provide accurate audiological information to referrers/ENT to contribute to patient management.
- To carry out routine or specialized objective and behavioral audiological procedures according to local protocols, remaining flexible to the childs needs.
- To undertake responsibilities as a team member of paediatric sessions.
- To ensure that a Family Friendly approach permeates all contact between Audiology services and Deaf/Hearing impaired children and their families.
Organisational - To contribute to the day to day running of audiology clinics, ensuring all required resources are available to ensure the smooth running of the clinic; to include scheduling of appointments, arranging availability of suitable accommodation and/ or equipment, transfer of relevant case records, ear moulds and hearing aids.
- To exercise proper care in the use of all clinical, office and general stocks and supplies, including assisting in maintaining stock levels, records and stocktaking.
- To plan and prioritise elements of own workload, within the framework of service delivery priorities as defined by the line manager or Head of Service.
- To actively contribute to meetings both within the service and as a representative of the service as required within own area of expertise, which may include the taking on of formal roles such as minute taking / arranging venues etc.
Education, training and professional development - To demonstrate and explain elements of the job to individuals such as new or junior staff, students or other professionals, as required.
- To share acquired knowledge with colleagues, this may include informal presentations at team meetings.
- To attend mandatory Trust courses, participate in the departmental IPR scheme and seek to further own professional and personal development.
- To maintain professional status and competence, by engaging in and directing own continuous professional development, evidenced by an up-to-date portfolio for CPD in line with Trust, service, and/or regulatory bodies guidelines as appropriate
Research and Development - To participate in the departmental clinical audit and effectiveness programme as required, such as assistance with data collection or surveys.
- To seek to promote and use evidence-based practice, such as by participation in the departmental Clinical Effectiveness Group, which contributes to the Clinical Improvement Plan and the development of protocols.
- In general, to strive to continually improve the quality of audiological services in East London.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to prioritize, innovate & work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent IT skills
- Regular attendance & good time keeping in the workplace
- An enquiring interest in Audiology
- A commitment to offer only a high quality service
Qualifications
Essential
- Audiology Degree with evidence of clinical competence
- MSc in Audiological Science with evidence of clinical competence.
- Registration with RCCP as an Audiologist or HCPC as a Clinical Scientist (Audiology)
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD
- British Sign Language
- Membership of BAA and/or BSA
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to prioritize, innovate & work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent IT skills
- Regular attendance & good time keeping in the workplace
- An enquiring interest in Audiology
- A commitment to offer only a high quality service
Qualifications
Essential
- Audiology Degree with evidence of clinical competence
- MSc in Audiological Science with evidence of clinical competence.
- Registration with RCCP as an Audiologist or HCPC as a Clinical Scientist (Audiology)
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD
- British Sign Language
- Membership of BAA and/or BSA
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
