Audiologist Apprentice

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To provide Audiology cover to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department clinics including masked air and bone conduction audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex testing. To discuss results with patients and their family/carer.

2. To undertake Stage A daily calibration checks and maintain records for Audiological equipment used in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department clinics and Adult Rehabilitation clinics.

3. To arrange hearing aids for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department patients as required, including initial assessment, consent, preliminary counselling, and information/test data entry into Patient Management System.

4. To participate in the routine adult hearing aid and rehabilitation service, including the direct GP referral service. To take responsibility for routine patient pathway, which includes:

• Appropriate assessment and comprehensive history taking tailored to individual patient needs
• Effectively and empathetically communicate results and expected rehabilitation benefits to patients and carers including dealing appropriately with distressed patients and those with emotional barriers to accepting their need for rehabilitation
• Analyse information gathered to plan appropriate rehabilitation strategies from a range of possible options based on individual patient needs
• Identify and arrange for appropriate onward referral if required
• Select programme and fit Hearing Aids verifying settings using Real-Ear Measurement (REM) or simulated REM
• Select and utilise appropriate outcome measure tools
• Undertake follow up and fine tuning as required
• To recognise conditions that require onward referral for additional health professional opinion/treatment and arrange as necessary.

5. To undertake hearing aid repair clinics, including replacement/repair of all models of digital hearing instrument supplied by the department.

6. To communicate effectively with people with complex communication needs, including hearing difficulties, dual sensory impairment, dementia, learning disability, English as a second language and other barriers to understanding.

7. To cover for reception staff during periods of annual leave and sickness, sometimes at very short notice.

8. To participate in the administrative and clerical support requirements of the service, including activities such as opening and dealing with post, sending and receiving ear moulds, collation and filing of letters/documents, dealing with telephone / email queries and the departmental answerphone system, and other ad hoc duties as the service requires.

9. To participate in the collation of weekly and monthly Departmental statistics and performance data.

10. To maintain Department records including PMS entries, stock control systems, equipment calibration and service records.

11. Participation in the Departments professional, clinical and statutory training, including the training of students.

12. To undertake other ad hoc duties as required to deliver the departments service obligations.

The list of responsibilities above, are key primary requirements for the role, however, additional duties may be required to ensure patient and employee safety is met.

Please note that the work base site will be negotiated with the applicant when successfully appointed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• o3 A levels (BBB) including a Science subject (or equivalent alternative Level 3 qualifications)
• oAccess requirements - Overall pass in a relevant subject: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
• oA combination of A-Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 120 UCAS Tariff points including 32 points from a science subject
• oGCSE English and Maths at minimum grade C/4 or Level 2 equivalents.

Desirable

• oDegree in a science subject

Experience

Essential

• oAbility to communicate effectively with people of all ages and abilities. Active listener.
• oEffective organisational skills.
• oAccurate, methodical, timely record keeping.
• oGood level of literacy and numeracy, including good computer skills.
• oGood manual dexterity.

Desirable

• oExperience working as an Audiology Assistant.
• oAbility to trouble shoot technology.

Knowledge

Essential

• oDemonstrate an awareness and understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality.

Desirable

• oDeaf Awareness training

Personal Criteria

Essential

• oEmpathetic, compassionate, caring.
• oExcellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
• oMotivated. Ability to manage own workload without direct supervision and to work as part of a team.
• oFlexible, reliable, adaptable, and supportive.
• oAbility to reflect
• oInterest and desire to work in a Care environment.
• oWell organised with good time management.

Other

Essential

• oAble to work on all Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT provider sites

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford and Luton

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)