The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Clinical Scientist/Head of Audiological Services

The closing date is 13 November 2025

Job summary

Join us in Transforming Audiology services in The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Having undertaken a comprehensive service review, we are driving forward an exciting transformation in audiology services. With a focus on delivering safe, high -quality care through strong governance, clear performance standards and innovative ways of working, the service is committed to providing the highest quality of patient care.

Working with the clinical team a new structure has been developed which encompasses all aspects of Audiology with an aim to future proof the service both for patients and staff.

As part of our team, you will play a key role in shaping services that improve patient access and outcomes, supported by robust systems that ensure accountability and excellence. Within the structure, research and education have been prioritised along with continued service and staff development.

We are equally committed to staff wellbeing - creating a supportive, inclusive environment where professional development is encouraged and work life balance is valued. This is an opportunity to be a part of a forward-thinking service that invests in its people as much as its patients.

  • Interview Date Friday 28 November 2025
  • 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
  • You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an outstanding and visionary Head of Audiology to lead our forward-thinking service. Following a recent service review and the development of a new clinical structure, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of audiological care across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. Having solid governance structures embedded. the service aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality, evidence - based hearing and balance services.

This position is responsible for leading and directing scientific, medical and support staff in the delivery and development of the Audiology service provided by The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

As a senior leader within the Surgical and Associated Services Clinical Board you will work with the Associate Director of Operations for the strategic, clinical, and financial management of the department. Working closely with senior managers, commissioners and the wider MDT you will drive innovation, promote research, service transformation and workforce development to meet the needs of our patient population.

The board and service are committed to developing and nurturing our staff, this role will have staff wellbeing as a priority with an aim to recruit, retain and develop staff across all levels.

This is an exciting time to join our service as we continue to embed changes that improve outcomes and experiences for our patients.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Details

Date posted

04 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-28-023-VA1

Job locations

Freeman Hospital

317 01 Freeman Hospital

NE7 7DN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our Audiology department has recently launched a new clinical structure and has undergone an exciting service transformation. With a focus on establishing robust governance processes alongside modernising patient pathways and introducing innovative approaches to improve patient care, the service is committed to providing the highest quality audiology service. We are now seeking a motivated and forward-thinking clinician to join our dynamic team and contribute to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

  • Responsible for leading and directing audiology service staff in the development of the Audiology Service provided by the Trust.
  • Provides professional leadership in area of expertise, including offering clinical support and advice, as needed, to Gateshead Audiology department as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance model in conjunction with other colleagues.
  • To be clinically responsible for all patients seen within the Audiology Service, ensuring the delivery of safe, clinically effective and high-quality care with best use of budgetary and other resources.
  • Acts as lead clinician for the Audiology Service, which sits within the ENT Directorate, holding accountability for the services compliance within ethical, professional, clinical governance and corporate governance requirements.
  • To fulfil a substantial clinical role which will include performing specialist clinical procedures.
  • To work in partnership with the operational management team to ensure effective delivery of clinical, financial, workforce and other resources.
  • Under the direction of the Clinical Director to coordinate and implement research and development activity within the service.
  • Supports the Directorate management team in developing, implementing and monitoring clinical and operational strategies in line with the Clinical Boards agreed strategic direction.
  • To interpret national policies and provide advice to the directorate management and clinical board leadership on the strategic direction of Audiology Services
  • To ensure that the Audiology Services at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are exemplar in the UK.
  • To support the Clinical Boards Senior Leadership Team in leading the development of service strategies and service annual plans for the Trusts Audiology Services, within the ENT Directorate
  • To foster a positive professional culture within Audiology Services and the wider team, addressing incivility and promoting a psychologically safe environment for staff to thrive at work in line with Trust values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our Audiology department has recently launched a new clinical structure and has undergone an exciting service transformation. With a focus on establishing robust governance processes alongside modernising patient pathways and introducing innovative approaches to improve patient care, the service is committed to providing the highest quality audiology service. We are now seeking a motivated and forward-thinking clinician to join our dynamic team and contribute to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

  • Responsible for leading and directing audiology service staff in the development of the Audiology Service provided by the Trust.
  • Provides professional leadership in area of expertise, including offering clinical support and advice, as needed, to Gateshead Audiology department as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance model in conjunction with other colleagues.
  • To be clinically responsible for all patients seen within the Audiology Service, ensuring the delivery of safe, clinically effective and high-quality care with best use of budgetary and other resources.
  • Acts as lead clinician for the Audiology Service, which sits within the ENT Directorate, holding accountability for the services compliance within ethical, professional, clinical governance and corporate governance requirements.
  • To fulfil a substantial clinical role which will include performing specialist clinical procedures.
  • To work in partnership with the operational management team to ensure effective delivery of clinical, financial, workforce and other resources.
  • Under the direction of the Clinical Director to coordinate and implement research and development activity within the service.
  • Supports the Directorate management team in developing, implementing and monitoring clinical and operational strategies in line with the Clinical Boards agreed strategic direction.
  • To interpret national policies and provide advice to the directorate management and clinical board leadership on the strategic direction of Audiology Services
  • To ensure that the Audiology Services at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are exemplar in the UK.
  • To support the Clinical Boards Senior Leadership Team in leading the development of service strategies and service annual plans for the Trusts Audiology Services, within the ENT Directorate
  • To foster a positive professional culture within Audiology Services and the wider team, addressing incivility and promoting a psychologically safe environment for staff to thrive at work in line with Trust values.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential

  • Qualified Allied Health Professional registered with the Health Professions Council
  • Educated to PHD level and/or evidence of equivalent extensive clinical experience and expert competence to the highest level in own area of specialisation
  • Evidence of post-graduate professional management and leadership development programme or evidence of professional leadership development through CPD

Desirable

  • Registered on Higher Specialist Scientist Register, or able to register within a 12-24 month period as provided for under Agenda for Change and registers within this timeframe
  • Recognised Management qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Proven track record of audit, service development, and innovation
  • Significant post-qualification professional experience with a proven track record of successfully managing a complex audiology service (e.g. complexity, volume and working with multiple professionals across a range of pathways) including: o Meeting challenging performance targets (KPI's and performance) o Building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders o Project Management o Business Planning o Service Improvement and Change Management o Multidisciplinary working o Financial Management, including delivering within budget o Leading a strong motivated and professional team o Evidence of undertaking audits, and service evaluation o Ability to develop implement and monitor service development and operational plans
  • Evidence of relevant ongoing professional development both clinical and leadership
  • Participation in relevant local and national professional bodies including national policy making/projects

Desirable

  • Clinical experience across career in both adult and paediatric audiology
  • Experience of successfully delivering IQIP accreditation for an Audiology Service
  • Evidence of research and evidence of formal contribution towards published materials subject to peer review

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good report writing and presentation skills, including the production of scientific papers, reports and conference presentations
  • Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, and ability to lead in line with the Trust's values
Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential

  • Qualified Allied Health Professional registered with the Health Professions Council
  • Educated to PHD level and/or evidence of equivalent extensive clinical experience and expert competence to the highest level in own area of specialisation
  • Evidence of post-graduate professional management and leadership development programme or evidence of professional leadership development through CPD

Desirable

  • Registered on Higher Specialist Scientist Register, or able to register within a 12-24 month period as provided for under Agenda for Change and registers within this timeframe
  • Recognised Management qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Proven track record of audit, service development, and innovation
  • Significant post-qualification professional experience with a proven track record of successfully managing a complex audiology service (e.g. complexity, volume and working with multiple professionals across a range of pathways) including: o Meeting challenging performance targets (KPI's and performance) o Building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders o Project Management o Business Planning o Service Improvement and Change Management o Multidisciplinary working o Financial Management, including delivering within budget o Leading a strong motivated and professional team o Evidence of undertaking audits, and service evaluation o Ability to develop implement and monitor service development and operational plans
  • Evidence of relevant ongoing professional development both clinical and leadership
  • Participation in relevant local and national professional bodies including national policy making/projects

Desirable

  • Clinical experience across career in both adult and paediatric audiology
  • Experience of successfully delivering IQIP accreditation for an Audiology Service
  • Evidence of research and evidence of formal contribution towards published materials subject to peer review

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good report writing and presentation skills, including the production of scientific papers, reports and conference presentations
  • Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, and ability to lead in line with the Trust's values

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).

Additional information

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

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Freeman Hospital

317 01 Freeman Hospital

NE7 7DN


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Freeman Hospital

317 01 Freeman Hospital

NE7 7DN


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Otolaryngologist

Phil Yates

Philip.yates@nhs.net

01912139979

Details

Date posted

04 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-28-023-VA1

Job locations

Freeman Hospital

317 01 Freeman Hospital

NE7 7DN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)