Apprentice Audiologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication & Relationship Skills Knowledge Training & Experience Analytical & Judgement skills Continuous interaction with adults with hearing impairment and with children and their parents, relatives and carers. Communication of test results or other technical information to patients, parents, relatives and carers, including patients who may have physical or learning disabilities, dementia or who may be seriously/terminally ill. Explanations of results and rehabilitation strategies in patient friendly and sensitive way Presentation of relevant audiological information to other professionals Will refer to line manager or other professional where appropriate. GCSE in English and math BAAT 1 & II professional theory and competence examinations In-house continuous training and experience Undertakes specific audiological diagnostic testing on adults and children (over approx. 3 years of age). Analysis, assessment and interpretation of broad spectrum of adult rehabilitation, adult and child diagnostic testing Determination and ongoing assessment of adult hearing aid prescriptions and monitoring of effectiveness, re-evaluating where appropriate. Selection of hearing devices and ancillary items relevant to patients individual audiometric profile. Referral for specialist audiological testing and/or referral to other healthcare professionals where judged appropriate. Determining the reason for erroneous clinical test results within above disciplines Planning and adapting of treatment plans for adults. Apprentice Audiologist Issue/approval date: May-22 Version number: 1.1 Status: Approved Next review date: Jun-23 Page 4 Planning & Organisational Skills Physical Skills Responsibility for Patient / Client Care Responsibility for policy / service development Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources Responsibility for Human Resources Responsibility for Information Resources Responsibility for Research & Development Freedom to Act Physical Effort Planning and adapting test regimes for adults. Planning and prioritising own duties and clinics. Performing the following on adults: Accurate and precise hearing testing using variety of techniques Taking earmould impressions Inserting Probe Microphones into ears of adult patients to the depth of the tympanic membrane. Fitting and fine tuning of digital hearing aids Equipment Calibration Dexterity, hand eye co-ordination and sensory skills for adjustment of earmoulds and hearing devices. Manipulation of materials requiring high degree of precision Provides clinical technical services Undertakes, screens, interprets audiological diagnostic tests for adults and children if in an ENT clinic. Provides adult rehabilitation, advice and support. Part of team delivering: A clinical audiology service including GP, HV, Paediatrician, SALT and school nurse Direct Referrals, Secondary referrals from other hospital consultants Follows departmental and National protocols. Assists in development of local service policy. Involved in instigation of Modernised Hearing Aid Services for digital hearing aid provision for adults. Maintains and is responsible for security of own hearing aid stock (£7K) Regularly assists with departmental stock audits Responsible for the safe use of expensive or highly complex equipment with patients None Daily requirement to input audiological data into AuditBase computer system Occasional database activity for audit/research purposes Records personally generated clinical observations Involved in gathering data for multi-centre trials as required. Occasionally participates in R&D in Audiology, which will have a national impact on Audiology within the NHS. Acts independently within professional guidelines and will refer to Line Manager, mentor, supervisor and/or other healthcare professionals when appropriate. Will discuss results with patients, relatives and carers and agree treatment plans for general audiology. Works autonomously when ready to do so. Frequent requirement for sitting or standing in restricted position Occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for short periods e.g. assisting elderly patients into/out of chairs, Sitting to perform otoscopy, impression taking, and REM measurements on adults. Moving of audiological equipment for service at 16 locality clinics Carrying heavy equipment for domiciliary visits Keyboard use for report writing Apprentice Audiologist Issue/approval date: May-22 Version number: 1.1 Status: Approved Next review date: Jun-23 Page 5 Mental Effort Emotional Effort Working Conditions Constant requirement for concentration, such as in testing hearing (adults and children), dispensing hearing aids, particularly to difficult hearing losses, and analysis of clinical results. Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances Providing a clinical service to patients with mental illness or challenging behaviour, personal rehabilitative counselling in adults rehabilitation. May work with patients who are upset or terminally ill, or those with physical, learning difficulties or dementia. Imparting news on hearing prognosis to adults, parents, relatives and carers. Exposure to unpleasant working conditions Prolonged VDU use Dealing with aggressive or distressed patients or relatives Using noisy and dusty machinery for earmould modification. Exposure to unclean patients incontinence in the very elderly and young, discharging ears, unhygienic earmoulds, head lice, MRSA or other biological hazard. In locality clinics, frequently attempting audiological procedures in non-soundproof conditions, often in cramped conditions with lack of ventilation or natural daylight for long periods of time.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade A-C English and Maths.
• Able to demonstrate a good command of the
• English language.

Experience

Essential

• Ability to remain calm and able to work in a busy
• environment.
• Ability to work as part of an effective team.
• Ability to communicate with members of the public
• and staff in other professions.
• No experience in audiology required.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility in approach to work.
• Commitment to developing clinical skills and
• experience in line with departmental needs.
• To keep abreast of clinical developments within the
• department to ensure standards of service are
• maintained and enhanced.
• To develop IT skills to keep abreast of changes
• Within clinical audiology and administration within
• the department.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Chime Social Enterprise CIC

Address

Audiology Department, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (WONFORD)

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW

Employer's website

https://www.chimehealth.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)