Specialist adult audiologist Band 6

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Specialist Adult Audiologist is responsible for planning and implementing hearing care with both diagnostic and rehabilitative functions for patients within hospital and locality environments. This senior role requires an experienced audiologist capable of performing complex, non-routine tasks with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy. The Specialist Audiologist will oversee other staff, maintaining clinical and professional standards at all times.

The Specialist Adult Audiologist will independently plan and undertake routine and specialist diagnostic audiological procedures for adults and children, making referrals to ENT and MRI as appropriate. They will manage rehabilitative patient caseloads using care plans, ensuring the effectiveness of hearing aid systems and providing advice to patients and parents. The role includes performing complex audiological techniques on adults and older children with indirect supervision.

The Specialist Audiologist will participate in specialized clinical practice, handling complex cases or supervising routine adult care, including ward and care home visits. They will deal with sensitive issues related to hearing loss with empathy and support junior audiology staff by providing specialist information and conducting appraisals for Band 4&5 audiologists.

The role involves implementing training programs for audiologists, developing multimedia sessions for other healthcare professionals, and liaising with and advising other health professionals both verbally and in writing. The Specialist Audiologist will support senior audiology staff in department management, audit activities, and UKAS accreditation processes, as well as staying current with audiological developments and sharing new advancements with colleagues.

Occasionally, the Specialist Audiologist will act as the senior staff member in the absence of more senior audiologists, providing autonomous care at locality clinics and patients' homes. They will assist the Department Manager with staff and consumable cost control, justifying expenditures, and investigating budget variances. The role requires enhancing communication systems, maintaining a positive working environment, and ensuring confidentiality at all times.

The Specialist Adult Audiologist will interact effectively with staff at all levels within Chime and the wider healthcare community, including external organizations and the public. Important relationships include Chime staff members, the ENT department, other hospital departments (e.g., radiology, specialist dementia staff), hearing aid manufacturers, and GP surgeries.

The role is guided by precedent, occupational policies, and broad guidelines, with work managed rather than directly supervised. The Specialist Audiologist acts independently within professional guidelines, discussing results with patients and agreeing on treatment plans within their specialism.

The Specialist Audiologist will communicate complex information tactfully, frequently interacting with adults with hearing impairments, balance disorders, and children and their parents. They will explain complex results and rehabilitation strategies sensitively and present relevant audiological information to other professionals.

The role involves judgment and analysis of complex facts, interpretation of diagnostic audio and paediatric test results, and determining the cause of equipment faults or erroneous clinical test results. The Specialist Audiologist will have an area of specialist audiological function, such as paediatrics or tinnitus rehabilitation.

The Specialist Audiologist will plan and organize complex activities and programs, adapting treatment plans and test regimes for adults and children, and managing patient journeys within their specialism.

The role involves participating in the provision of specialist clinical, technical, and advice services, delivering clinical audiology services, and specialized adult rehabilitation.

The Specialist Audiologist will implement policies within determined parameters, follow departmental and national protocols, assist in developing local service policies, and contribute to the instigation of Modernized Hearing Aid Services.

The Specialist Audiologist is responsible for maintaining stock control and security, using expensive and complex equipment safely, and authorizing small financial payments.

The role includes supervising and coordinating staff, providing clinical supervision to qualified staff or students, and overseeing Senior Audiologists, basic grade audiologists, and trainees.

The Specialist Audiologist will handle data entry and storage, inputting audiological data into the AuditBase computer system and occasionally participating in audit/research database activities.

The role involves regularly undertaking R&D activities, gathering data for multi-centre trials, and participating in research that impacts audiology nationally within the NHS.

The Specialist Audiologist will perform precise hearing tests, measurements, earmould impressions, and hearing aid fittings, often requiring sitting or standing in restricted positions and moving equipment for service at locality clinics.

The role requires intense concentration for tasks such as testing young children's hearing and analyzing clinical results. It involves occasional exposure to distressing circumstances, such as providing services to patients with mental illness or breaking news of a child's hearing impairment.

The Specialist Audiologist may encounter unpleasant working conditions, including prolonged VDU use, dealing with aggressive patients, and using noisy and dusty machinery. They may work in non-soundproof conditions at locality clinics.

The Specialist Audiologist will participate in regular performance appraisals, undertake necessary training, contribute to a safe working environment, comply with infection control policies, and uphold professional conduct codes. They are also responsible for their workplace health and wellbeing, gaining support from Occupational Health and Human Resources as needed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Able to demonstrate a good command of the
• English Language
• A BSc in Audiology for 2006 entrants or BTEC National Certificate in MPPM BAATS Part 1 & 2
• BSc (Hons) Audiology (or equivalent)
• RCCP Registration independently assessed as BSc (Hons) Equivalent
• BAAT 1 & II professional theory and competence examinations
• Will conduct some specialist activity which requires MSc level knowledge
• UK driving license

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Ability to remain calm and able to work in a busy environment.
• Ability to work as part of an effective team.
• Able to demonstrate leadership capability.

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 in within clinical audiology and administration within the department.

Experience

Essential

• At least two years experience at band 5 level
• Exposure to specialist audiology services.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Essential

• Good communication skills
• IT skills
• A knowledge of all NHS and digital models of hearing aids
• A practical knowledge of clinical Audiology and hearing aid technology

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

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)