Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Audiology
to lead the team and service at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. We
are seeking someone to lead and take forward the service, building on the
positive work undertaken by the team in recent years, and to lead on our IQIPS
accreditation.
The service covers Adult and Paediatric Audiology Services
at Worcester Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Treatment Centre, the Alexandra
Hospital, Redditch and outreach clinics at Evesham Community Hospital, Princess
of Wales Community Hospital, Malvern, Pershore, Droitwich and Tenbury Wells;
ENT Services and Vestibular and Adult Neuro-diagnostic Testing at the three
main sites.
We are looking for a motivated individual who has both
clinical and leadership experience in a multi-site Audiology service. The
successful candidate will be able to provide senior clinical leadership to the
team, whilst managing the leadership team and being a visible and accessible
leader to the wider team. There is opportunity for business planning, service
development and working closely with the rest of the directorate senior
leadership team, comprising an operational manager, clinical director and matron.
Interviews will be held on 5th August 2025.
Main duties of the job
Responsible and accountable for the Audiology Service provided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, the postholder will be a highly developed and experienced post-graduate qualified Audiologist, Hearing Therapist or Clinical Scientist (Audiology) and will manage the clinical service, strategic planning, staff allocation, management and training, clinical governance, research and development, finance, and quality assurance for the service. Accountable to the Deputy Director of Operations (Surgery), the postholder will ensure that a consistently high-quality complex and sophisticated clinical service is provided, meeting the highest national and international standards. The post holder will be responsible for Training and Supervision within the department, and for performance against DM01 and RTT.
We encourage
flexible working and will work with the successful candidate to support them to
have greater choice in when, where and how they work. As a Trust we
support a range of flexible working arrangements and are committed to
supporting colleagues to achieve work life balance. Our Trust is split across a
wide geographical area and the successful candidate will need to be able to
travel independently to our 3 sites (Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster) as
well as regularly being present to manage the operational running of the
departments.
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large
acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute
services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a
larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from
three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our
caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred
care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to
work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our
everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are proud to have achieved Timewise
accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working
within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a
DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check
(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting
Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Improving
Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:
As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the
Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from
BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an
expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as
specified in the person specification for this role.
Applicants are prompted in the application form to declare
if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme,
and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
For queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme,
please contact Rob Saunders in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
Improving
Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:
As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the
Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from
BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an
expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as
specified in the person specification for this role.
Applicants are prompted in the application form to declare
if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme,
and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
For queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme,
please contact Rob Saunders in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 7 MSc in Audiology or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise in the field
- Level 7 Postgraduate management/leadership qualification
- CAC/BAAT Pt 1 + 2 /HTS or equivalent practical qualifications in general and specialist areas.
- Registered AHCS Audiologist or HCPC Clinical Scientist (Audiology)
- Membership of BSA/BAA or other professional Body
Experience
Essential
- Clinical Experience
- Please demonstrate your practical knowledge of the assessment and (re)habiliation in highly specialised clinical service areas
- Please evidence that you have worked at a senior level using examples of the clinical competency you have within the relevant clinical area
- Extensive experience in formulating comprehensive management plans based on case history information and diagnostic test results, where management decisions may not be straightforward
- Please indicate where you have worked with hearing impaired patients / parents / carers / associated professional and explain any challenges you overcame
- Extensive Experience of working with babies and children, and patients of all ages with cognitive impairments
- Please give examples of when you have been a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate a credible, professional approach and manner at all times
- Extensive post-graduate experience & CPD
Research Experience
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Good knowledge of critical appraisal and ability to use literature and current research / guidelines to improve patient care
- Evidence of leading clinical audit, research, and / or presentations at scientific meetings
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit of services/pathways
Management and Administrative Experience
Essential
- Experience in managing and developing other healthcare professionals
- Experience in establishing or helping to develop a service through quality improvement
- Formulate strategic plans for HCS within the department
- Experience of management of services in line with performance targets
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit or services/pathways
- Experience in managing staff using performance management and appraisal, disciplinary and sickness absence policies/procedures
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of managing Health and Safety and Clinical Governance in a clinical setting
- Experience of analysing performance data and for identifying ways in which the service can be improved at a service, team and individual level.
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of working within a clinical multidisciplinary team
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Training, Assessment and Supervision of BSc /STP/ HTS Students
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Alignment of behaviours and attitude to the 4WARD behaviours
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to adapt communication to meet the needs of the situation, including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations
- Ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including times where co-operation is not guaranteed
- Ability to pass on expert and highly technical and/or condition related information with reassurance for better understanding including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations necessary
- Ability to work effectively as a team member
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Diplomatic and tactful
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work without supervision
- Reliable and supportive to other colleagues
- Adaptable and willing to learn new skills
- Flexible approach to work and to the needs of the service.
- Champion staff wellbeing
Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment
Essential
- As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 7 MSc in Audiology or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise in the field
- Level 7 Postgraduate management/leadership qualification
- CAC/BAAT Pt 1 + 2 /HTS or equivalent practical qualifications in general and specialist areas.
- Registered AHCS Audiologist or HCPC Clinical Scientist (Audiology)
- Membership of BSA/BAA or other professional Body
Experience
Essential
- Clinical Experience
- Please demonstrate your practical knowledge of the assessment and (re)habiliation in highly specialised clinical service areas
- Please evidence that you have worked at a senior level using examples of the clinical competency you have within the relevant clinical area
- Extensive experience in formulating comprehensive management plans based on case history information and diagnostic test results, where management decisions may not be straightforward
- Please indicate where you have worked with hearing impaired patients / parents / carers / associated professional and explain any challenges you overcame
- Extensive Experience of working with babies and children, and patients of all ages with cognitive impairments
- Please give examples of when you have been a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate a credible, professional approach and manner at all times
- Extensive post-graduate experience & CPD
Research Experience
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Good knowledge of critical appraisal and ability to use literature and current research / guidelines to improve patient care
- Evidence of leading clinical audit, research, and / or presentations at scientific meetings
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit of services/pathways
Management and Administrative Experience
Essential
- Experience in managing and developing other healthcare professionals
- Experience in establishing or helping to develop a service through quality improvement
- Formulate strategic plans for HCS within the department
- Experience of management of services in line with performance targets
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit or services/pathways
- Experience in managing staff using performance management and appraisal, disciplinary and sickness absence policies/procedures
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of managing Health and Safety and Clinical Governance in a clinical setting
- Experience of analysing performance data and for identifying ways in which the service can be improved at a service, team and individual level.
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of working within a clinical multidisciplinary team
Teaching Experience
Essential
- Training, Assessment and Supervision of BSc /STP/ HTS Students
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Alignment of behaviours and attitude to the 4WARD behaviours
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to adapt communication to meet the needs of the situation, including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations
- Ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including times where co-operation is not guaranteed
- Ability to pass on expert and highly technical and/or condition related information with reassurance for better understanding including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations necessary
- Ability to work effectively as a team member
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Diplomatic and tactful
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work without supervision
- Reliable and supportive to other colleagues
- Adaptable and willing to learn new skills
- Flexible approach to work and to the needs of the service.
- Champion staff wellbeing
Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment
Essential
- As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
