Audiology

Job responsibilities

Performing routine Audiological test battery as part of doctor-led clinics on children. This will include Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, play audiometry, acoustic reflexes, Oto-acoustic emissions and speech testing

To support senior audiologists on medical clinics in assessing children with complex needs.

To undertake and lead on the assessment of older children referred from a variety of sources, e.g. GPs, Health visitors, speech and language, Ears, Nose Throat (ENT) into scientist-led clinics.

To make decisions about the most appropriate test technique to employ e.g., play audiometry, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, Oto-acoustic emissions, acoustic reflexes, speech testing.

To make management decisions regarding older children and initiate onwards referrals as necessary. To seek advice from senior colleagues when required.

Interpretation of complex test results and communicating complex information about tests and results to parents, families, and patients. To request support from senior colleagues when required.

To be accountable for the day-to-day management of pertinent work areas, ensuring that equipment is maintained correctly and daily checks/calibration are carried out, reporting any faults as appropriate to the relevant member of the team.

Acts independently within professional guidelines.

To liaise with Medical, Technical and Scientific staff in the identification, development and implementation of new clinical tests and procedures.

To assist, analyse and interpret a broad spectrum of paediatric test results and recommend appropriate audiological intervention.

Determining the reason for erroneous clinical test results within paediatrics

Continuous interaction with children and their parents.

To alert relevant member of the team regarding low stock.

To ensure that departmental/national recommended procedures/protocols/guidelines are adhered to and a high level of competence is maintained.

Perform evening and weekend clinics as required

Rotate at other community/hospital sites as required, as directed by line manager/service leads and/or due to service requirements.

Band 5 Clinical and Scientific duties

Assist in the assessment of infants and children referred from various sources, such as GPs, health visitors, speech and language therapists, and ENT, as part of scientist-led clinics.

To assist on decisions about the most appropriate test technique to employ e.g. VRA, Distraction testing, play audiometry, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, Oto-acoustic emissions, acoustic reflexes, speech testing, McCormick toy test.

Demonstrate empathy and support in delivering news of permanent hearing loss to families. Collaborate with senior audiologists, families and educational services to develop individual management plans, ensuring clear and compassionate communication.

To ensure that all appropriate verbal/written information is provided to families at every stage, and to ensure that reports/information is provided to other relevant health professionals involved in the childs care.

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Audiology or equivalent
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Audiology/Clinical Physiologist In Audiology

Desirable

• Higher training (e.g MSc in Audiological science/Diploma in Audiology, CAC or equivalent)

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Work in a professional manner at all times
• Good organisational skills
• Personal time management to ensure work is completed
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to communicate with patients who have a barrier to understanding e.g. language/hearing
• Ability to understand cultural needs of a patient
• Ability to remain calm when working in a busy environment
• Ability to use sensitive, persuasive and negotiation skills
• Good written and communication skills
• Good patient handling skills
• General IT skills

Desirable

• Explanation of complex results and rehabilitation strategies in a patient friendly and sensitive way

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• At least 2 years post-qualification experience in general Adult Audiology
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Audiological tests/equipment
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Understanding of issues surrounding hearing impairment and its effect on quality of life
• Knowledge of Family friendly principles

Desirable

• At least 1 years post- qualification experience in general Paediatric Audiology
• Experience of managing 2nd tier Paediatric Audiology case load-history taking, debrief and management
• Experience with play audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry, speech testing, VRA
• Experience of sharing news of hearing loss with families, including temporary loss caused by glue ear
• Oto-acoustic emissions/visual reinforcement audiometry/distraction testing

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Ability to work under pressure
• Patient and sympathetic to the needs of the hearing Impaired and sensitive to their needs
• Ability to work with young children and babies
• Ability to handle difficult situations including: antagonist and distraught patients.
• Willingness to deal with patient's body odour during close contact in clinics including exposure to body fluids such as vomit, blood and ear wax/infections.

Desirable

• Willingness to move patients e.g. in wheelchairs into test rooms and/ or into appropriate positions for testing

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).