Audiologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

To contribute towards the provision of a comprehensive Audiology Service and to assist in the daily clinical work of the department, including:

- New hearing assessments, hearing reassessments, hearing instrument fittings, routine review appointments and repairs.

- Clinical support to the ENT service.

- Daily maintenance and calibration of all Audiology equipment.

Key responsibilities

Principal Responsibilities:

- Contributes to the core aspects of adult aural rehabilitation and diagnostic testing.

- To participate in the repairs sessions, supply of batteries, re-tubing of ear moulds and taking impressions for ear moulds

- Deal with queries and problems presented by patients and carers and referring them to the appropriate professional if required

- To perform domiciliary and ward visits to patients for general maintenance repairs to hearing aids and taking ear mould impressions

- To deliver the Audiology service at satellite stations and on the ward as required

- To participate with the modernization and redesign of the service.

- To participate in diagnostic and rehabilitative service developments.

- To attend departmental training programmes to meet the needs of the service.

- Assist in the delivery of training packages for junior staff as required.

- To work closely with all members of the Audiology/ENT/Clinical Engineering teams

- To assist in the supervision of clinical work of more junior Audiology staff.

- To assist in developing clinical services in line with departmental and Trust objectives, national quality and best practice guidelines.

- To ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, utilizing the current departmental patient Management System and IT software.

- Hearing aid stock control: to ensure adequate levels of stock for new issuing and replacement.

- Participate in group work with patients (up to 10 individuals including patients and carers/relatives) for instruction and rehabilitation with regard to hearing aids.

- To provide support and guidance to non-technical staff.

- Comply with health and safety in the department carrying out risk assessments, safety audits, and staff awareness in conjunction with the line manager.

- Any other duties as agreed with the Audiology Services Manager/ Highly Specialised Audiology Practitioner.

Financial:

Accountable to Audiology Services Manager/ Highly Specialised Audiology Practitioner for purchases relating to hearing aid stock.

Works within budgets set for departmental hearing aid refurbishment.

* The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

* The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Equality and Diversity

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to understand our equality and diversity commitments and statutory obligations under current equality legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the Equality Act 2006 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and to:

Act in ways that support equality and diversity and recognises the importance of peoples rights in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures and good practice.

Valuing people as individuals and treating everyone with dignity and respect, consideration and without prejudice, respecting diversity and recognising peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices in working with others and delivering appropriate services.

• Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality under Trust policy.

• Be consciously aware of own behaviour and encourage the same levels of behaviour in colleagues.

• Acknowledge others different perspectives and recognise the diverse needs and experiences of everyone they come into contact with.

• With the support of managers develop an equality and diversity objective through the personal development review process.

Infection Prevention & Control

All staff will adhere to infection control policies and procedures at all times and carry out role specific duties as per roles and responsibilities.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality/Data Protection regarding all personal information and Trust activity must be maintained at all times (both in and out of working hours). All staff should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all Trust privacy, confidentiality and security policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Freedom of Information

In accordance with Freedom of Information and other associated legislation, the Trust may be required to make public recorded information available upon a request, or do this as part of a publication scheme. Please note, that in your public role, your name or job role may be contained in a document that is published in accordance with such legislation.

Management of Risk & Health and Safety

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or to others and to co-operate with the Trust in meeting its statutory requirements.

All employees will proactively contribute to the management of risk by identifying hazards in the workplace which have the potential to cause harm, raising issues of concern and risk to the appropriate level.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

All trust employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to trustSafeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees, as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.

IT Skills

All staff are expected to have or to gain a minimum of basic level IT skills to enable them to use the Trust IT systems to support Trust services and needs. All staff should be familiar with relevant IT systems and security policies and procedures.

Records Management

All staff are personally responsible for record keeping. A record is anything that contains information in any medium e.g. paper, tapes, computer information, etc. which have been created or gathered as a result of any NHS activity. All individuals within the Trust are responsible for any records they create or use. Please ensure that records are retained in accordance with the Records Management Policy and are stored in a manner that allows them to be easily located in the event of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Information Quality

All staff must ensure complete and accurate data is collected to the highest standard at all times. Data collection should be supported by adequate documentation and processes should be regularly reviewed. Staff should ensure that processes conform to national standards and are fit for purpose. All staff should comply with the Information Quality Policy.

Change of Job Description

The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the department alter in line with current agendas. This job description will be subject to periodic review and amendment in accordance with the needs of the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc(Hons) / Diploma in Audiology or equivalent
• equivalent Y 2 Will have achieved a minimum of BSc in Audiology (or equivalent qualifications Diploma in Audiology, H'Tech/B'Tec MPPM/NVQ3 and BAAT parts 1 & 2)
• Responsible for own CPD and professional qualifications compliance

Desirable

• Registered with RCCP

Experience

Essential

• Experience in adult testing, hearing aid fittings and rehabilitation
• Application of advances in own practice
• Evidenced experience working in an acute care setting. This may have been gained during placement year.

Desirable

• Evidenced post qualification experience
• Voluntary work in an Audiology related field

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge acquired through trainee experience within an Audiology department
• Knowledge of NHS networks/ referral routes

Desirable

• A working knowledge of Practice Navigator

Skills

Essential

• Basic counselling
• Computer skills - database use
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative within the role
• Able to plan and prioritise own case load
• Apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations requiring fine manual dexterity

Other

Essential

• Diffuse conflict situations
• You will be expected to undertake study/training that will assist you in providing a high standard of care in the profession and to maintain CPD portfolio in accordance with Trust policy

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

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broadgreen Hospital, Alexandra Wing

Audiology Department, Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3LB

Employer's website

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