Advanced Specialist in Communication - Hearing Impairment

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice

The post holder is responsible for providing highly specialist assessment, analysis and diagnosis, including differential diagnosis of conditions co-existing with deafness as appropriate, e.g. language disorder, requiring advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and interpretation and analysis, and for providing subsequent management programmes including group training/coaching

To interpret and act on complex information gathered from a range of sources using sound knowledge of evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning skills and experience in applying relevant treatment approaches, including interpreting audiological information

To contribute to the multi-disciplinary decision-making process in determining candidature for cochlear implantation and to the effective management of the patient pathway

The role requires the ability to counsel patients and families/carers on challenging and potentially distressing topics of discussion, e.g. decision- making regarding an elective surgical procedure, often in difficult and emotive circumstances, progress/outcome measures, impact of additional difficulties/long-term deafness and expectations

The post holder must be able to adapt their communication to ensure the patient /carer is able to understand as well as possible, for example, by using recognised communication strategies for deaf/deafened children/adults, including speech to text, lip-reading and the use of interpreters as appropriate

To promote self advocacy and acceptance of disability and adapt assessments/resources to meet individual needs

To develop, advise, monitor and evaluate highly specialist interventions to individuals and groups, and to support parents/carers/community settings and other professionals to implement these interventions

To monitor progress using outcome measures, identifying those not making expected progress and signpost as appropriate

To support patients and carers to use cochlear implant technology and other assistive listening devices effectively and to promote the continued need for the use of communication strategies by both patients and their parents/carers

To advise, supervise, mentor and develop clinical assistants and other professionals within area of clinical expertise

Service delivery

To contribute to delivering a coordinated and highly specialist rehabilitation service within a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency context and inform and advise the service leads as to training, resources, trends and development needs

To work collaboratively with a variety of different agencies/professionals in health, education, social care and charitable organisations for deaf people ensuring management and treatment meets the holistic needs, providing a well coordinated intervention plan, supported by written and visual information that is accessible to the patients/carers/young people

To effectively delegate to clinical assistants, administrative and other staff as appropriate

To utilise digital healthcare platforms, in line with NUH policies and procedures, to support and enhance patient management and as part of patient/family/group coaching sessions and professional training

To be able to work on an outreach basis when required

To represent speech, language and communication needs of deaf/deafened children using cochlear implants at agreed forums

Professional Responsibility

To maintain and demonstrate own CPD, keeping up to date with clinical developments & current research and evidence-based practice to ensure own and others practice is safe and effective

Identifies and manages clinical risk in own practice

To contribute to team objectives and clinical governance activities of the Trust, reflecting local and national priorities, using their knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice and specialist professional guidelines in the field of cochlear implantation

To proactively contribute to regional/national Clinical Excellence Groups, the British Cochlear Implant Group and Implant Centre REHAB groups.

Responsibility for Training

The post holder will mentor, supervise, teach and develop colleagues and those involved in rehabilitation for deaf/deafened children, within area of expertise

To contribute to the development and delivery of courses/conferences and information days to promote increased awareness and knowledge of cochlear implants, nationally and internationally

Provide support for clinical education of students, in liaison with universities, to ensure expected quality standards are met, through teaching, mentoring and supervision (as required)

Facilitates the development of others through peer supervision with colleagues within the Trust across specialisms

Managerial

Managerial responsibility will be designated according to experience and specified by the Clinical Lead/Head of Service

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

The post holder will contribute to strategic developments, in liaison with their clinical lead

Contributes to and implements NAIP guidelines and procedures in line with Regional and National initiatives that influence service provision

Contributes to the development, implementation of and monitoring of standards for the clinical specialism and understanding and adhering to quality standards and key performance indicators

Participates in multi-disciplinary projects and specialist areas of cochlear implantation work as agreed with clinical leads

Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance to team and Trust standards and provide clinical data to the Head of service as required

Implements national and local policy relevant to specialist clinical area, ensuring service is consistent with these

Responsibility for financial and physical resources

Contributes to the specification and justification of equipment and goods e.g. cameras, specialist assessment or therapy materials

Responsible for ensuring any equipment (digital technologies, assessments, audiobooks) is complete and safe to use, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained, including equipment loaned to patients

Ensures the safe carriage, storage and proper use of equipment, working within lifting and handling and data protection guidelines

Monitors stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate for use with specialist client group

Responsibilityfor Human Resources

Identifies CPD requirements of self and others reflecting organisational priorities

Responsibilityfor Research and Development

Initiates and regularly undertakes research/clinical governance/audit projects, within area of clinical expertise

Undertakes resourced research, service evaluation and/or audit in accordance with the needs of the Trust and profession

Ensures service delivery in specialist area is underpinned by available research evidence

Contributes to others research by providing data as required

Evaluates outcomes for specialist service

Participates in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness using highly specialist knowledge

Contributes to papers for presentation at national and multi-disciplinary conferences

Contributes to submissions for publication in non-reviewed and peer reviewed journals

Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based research

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oSpeech and Language Therapy qualification Bachelor level degree, or equivalent oAdditional postgraduate training up to master's degree equivalent OR Teacher of the deaf: qualified teacher status, or Bachelor level degree plus PGCE / Qualified Teacher of the Deaf

Desirable

• oAdditional specialist skills and qualifications in a recognised sub-speciality eg. counselling, coaching, adult learning, change theory oMasters/PG Dip in working with deaf people or equivalent oPost graduate qualification, e.g. Psychology

Experience

Essential

• oSignificant professional experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist or qualified Teacher of the deaf in a range of settings
• oExperience working with deaf people oExperience working with children, young people and/or adults with disability

Desirable

• oExperience working with people using hearing implants and assistive listening devices oExperience of criteria and referral pathway to Auditory Implant Programmes
• oResearch and Statistical skills. oWorking knowledge of Microsoft Word processing and use of Excel spreadsheets

Communication

Essential

• oExcellent communication skills with deaf people and others oClear, fluent English spoken language
• oExcellent written communication skills oExcellent presentation skills

Desirable

• oExperience of working through interpreters
• oExperience of supervising and mentoring non-specialist professionals

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

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme

113 The Ropewalk, Ropewalk House

Nottingham

NG1 5DU

Employer's website

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