Job responsibilities
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Clinical Diagnostic Assessment
1.1
To
ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, and
by the most suitable combination of clinical tests, to enable further clinical
and medical decisions to be made regarding each patients management within the
Trust.
1.2
To perform routine and non-routine adult auditory behavioural
assessments. This will include pure tone
audiometry with bone conduction and masking, uncomfortable loudness level tests,
admittance tests and other techniques.
1.3
To perform other advanced test procedures which include:
(a)
Objective test procedures including oto-acoustic emission (OAE).
(b)
Advanced tests of middle ear function including high frequency
tympanometry, ipsilateral and contra lateral reflexes and stapedial reflex
decay.
(c)
To perform and report on, (initially with support) assessments of vestibular
function to include videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), video
head impulse test (vHIT) and caloric.
1.4
To recommend further investigations as required and devise a care
plan, liaising with GPs, ENT and other associated Healthcare
professionals, as appropriate.
1.5
To develop theoretical & practical knowledge of other forms of
audiological testing including vestibular diagnostics.
1.6
To compile results and reports accurately and save and upload them
appropriately in departmental and hospital records (e.g. AuditBase and Cerner).
1.7
To carry out direct referral assessments from GP referrals
including history taking from patients, evaluation of results and decision
making regarding patient management. To
develop a personalised individual management plan (IMP) in conjunction with the
patient.
1.8
To accurately and sensitively relay information to patients and
significant others about test results and treatment plans using effective
communication methods.
1.9
To assist in the management of satellite ENT and Rehabilitation
clinics.
1.10 To go on domiciliary visits
and visit community centres as required.
2.
Aural
Rehabilitation
2.1
To ensure that each patient has access to the relevant
counselling, rehabilitation, and external support that they require in relation
to their hearing loss. Procedures to
include:
(a)
To maintain a good clinical judgement in assessing when hearing
aids are appropriate and which types for adults. The fitting and follow-up
appointments would include hearing aid selection, verification of the fitting
using real ear measures (REMs), fitting prescription formulas and validated
questionnaires and outcome measures.
(b)
Evaluation of the hearing aids using speech testing, aided
threshold testing and subjective evaluation from the patient and/or significant
others.
(c)
The need for other assistive listening devices.
(d)
Being responsible for referring on to other professionals e.g.
Hearing Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, middle ear and cochlear implant
teams and ENT Medical staff as necessary.
2.2
To provide aural rehabilitation of patients, including those with
additional special needs other than hearing loss. To undertake tinnitus
assessment clinics following training.
2.3
To take aural impressions on all ages, according to the British
Society of Audiology recommended procedures.
2.4
To undertake hearing aid maintenance and repairs including
modification of ear moulds.
2.5
To be able to communicate efficiently and accurately in difficult
situations (i.e. when someone has a hearing loss) and be able to adapt using
different communication skills in order to provide sensitive support to social,
cultural or emotional barriers to understand the working or to accept the
hearing aid.
2.6
To counsel distressed patients on hearing loss or associated
problems. The ability to talk
sensitively about other problems the patient may have e.g. bereavement.
2.7
To have the ability to accurately and sensitively relay
information to patients about their test results in particular regarding any
barriers to understanding the tests or to the degree of anxiety caused by each
procedure.
2.8
To have the ability to make further decisions regarding the
rehabilitation of the individual patient.
2.9
To maintain accurate records of outcome measures using computer
databases.
2.10
To liaise with consultants in ENT and other associated healthcare
professionals in ensure a holistic approach to the patient.
2.11
To use skills of persuasion when patients are reluctant hearing
aid users. The ability to deal with
difficult patients if appropriate.
2.12
To carry out virtual work where face to face or telephone
appointments are not suitable, this would include video consultations and
postal repairs.
3.
Supervisory and Educational
Responsibilities
3.1
To participate in mandatory staff training sessions.
3.2
To participate in teaching , training and lecturing to other staff
groups
3.3
To supervise the work of trainee, junior and assistant
audiologists and provide guidance and support in audiological techniques to
trainees studying for professional examinations.
3.4
To provide training and support for non-audiological staff as and
when required.
3.5
To participate in departmental research and audit.
3.6
To assist with the provision of Community training events and
Education and Career advice seminars.
3.7
To promote the General Audiology Service to the ENT Department and
external departments or organisations providing teaching and training of all
groups of staff.
4.
Management & Administrative
Responsibilities
4.1
To be involved in the Improving Quality in Physiological Services
(IQIPS) accreditation
process. This would include writing Standard Operating Procedures and
the preparation for and maintenance of the accreditation process
4.2
To assist in the day-to-day running of the department e.g.
allocation of staff to clinics/ stock control.
4.3
To deputise in the absence of the senior specialist audiologists
or clinical leads.
4.4
To
have special responsibility for the management of a particular aspect of the
service e.g. Health & Safety, management of the departmental website on the
Trust Intranet site, induction of locum audiologists, domiciliary
service, tinnitus assessment and rehab , yearly calibration or the
commercial audiology service
4.5
To ensure that the administrative responsibilities of the
department are fulfilled. To include
using AuditBase and other Trust information systems (e.g. Cerner) which will
involve close liaison with the medical staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary
team.
4.6
To produce reports of patient treatment for distribution to GPs,
referring consultants and associated professionals.
4.7
To maintain data records using computerised system. To participate in obtaining information
necessary for contract procurement, quality assurance as resource management
including patient statistics. This will
require knowledge of using Trust computer information systems.
4.8
To be responsible for newly diagnosed patient appointments,
ensuring that departmental protocol has been followed.
4.9
To be responsible for ordering and ensuring stock supplies are
monitored in liaison with the Service Delivery Manager.
4.10
To ensure that audiological equipment including audiometers,
tympanometers, OAE machine and other equipment are maintained, calibrated
(stage 1 checks) and in good working order, with particular reference to health
and safety regulations and quality assurance.
4.11
To deal with queries daily both in writing and by telephone in a
professional and timely manner and within the guidelines of patient
confidentiality. Queries maybe from
other members of staff, outside agencies, patients, families or other
carers. This may include distressed or
angry contacts.
4.12
To help to establish and implement departmental protocols.
4.13
To be responsible for not wasting resources by careful use and
good judgement of the equipment.
4.14
To participate in and attend departmental team meetings.
4.15
To ensure that all patients are seen in compliance with Trust
policies in an environment that upkeeps the highest levels of health and
safety. On a daily basis this involves
an active awareness of good hygiene, especially in the use of clinical
equipment used for otoscopy and earmould impressions. Also involved is maintaining an awareness of
fire safety and emergency procedures, an ensuring that the department fulfils
all general health and safety protocols.
4.16
Any other duties that may be discussed and agreed with the line
manager.
5. General Responsibilities
and Professional Development
1.1
To participate in the annual personal development review (PDR).
1.2
To follow departmental protocols and be responsible for suggesting
improvements to working practices in conjunction with the Clinical Leads.
1.3
To ensure that all Trust Policies and procedures are adhered to.
1.4
To disseminate acquired course knowledge to other team members.
1.5
To ensure that all patients are in a professional and confidential
environment. This is done by maintaining
sensitive use and storing of all patients notes and records, and by being aware
of issues regarding confidentiality when interacting with both staff members
and members of the public.
1.6
To maintain a programme of continuing professional development to
include keeping up to date on new research and ideas by reviewing relevant
research papers and attending refresher courses and study days. To cooperate with medical and scientific
staff in research programmes. To keep up to date with core skills on LEARN.
1.7
The post holder must comply with the HCPC or RCCP Code of
Professional Conduct.
