Audiologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Autonomously undertake, interpret, and report on basic and advanced Audiological diagnostic investigations on a range of client groups, to achieve diagnosis and care plan development ensuring optimum patient communication and so facilitating increased social integration.

Patient Assessment

- Working autonomously be responsible for the Audiological care and management of patients referred from a variety of professional groups including, ENT and other consultants, paediatricians, General Practitioners, and primary care professionals.

- Using a holistic approach, plan and discuss appropriate testing strategies based on the subjective and objective clinical assessment on patients from a variety of client groups, ranging from children to the elderly population.

- Modify diagnostic assessments to be age and ability appropriate without compromising the rigour of the assessment.

- Undertake and assist with a full range of scientific and technically advanced otoneurological and audiological assessments on patients with complex needs to achieve diagnosis and inform prognosis to include behavioural, cognitive, emotional, psychological, and physical assessment.

- Assist with vestibular function testing and evoked potentials including instructing patients and operating equipment under supervision.

Clinical Reasoning

- Demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise the clinical findings from a full range of assessments using theory and principles to justify recommendations of outcome.

- Report on diagnostic outcomes with recommended treatment options progressing to an individual rehabilitation care plan.

Aural Rehabilitation

- Develop and implement individual aural rehabilitation strategies to optimise patient communication, enhancing the potential for social integration and improved wellbeing on both adults and paediatrics, including patients with additional needs.

- Using appropriate prescription formula select and fit, a full range of NHS hearing instruments and advise about assistive listening devices, to both adults and paediatrics.

- Perform real ear measurements on all patients ensuring accurate placement of the fine probe tube to BSA recommendations facilitating accurate measurement, patient comfort and reassurance.

- Take accurate aural impressions ensuring good meatal depth and patient comfort using medical, physical, social, and audiological assessments to select the appropriate ear mould configuration and material.

- Undertake hearing aid repair clinics/sessions.

- Refer and coordinate with other relevant professional agencies across the health, education, and social spectrum to ensure an integrated holistic approach, e.g. ENT, services for deaf people, GPs, school nurses.

- Evaluate the effectiveness of aural rehabilitation strategies, modifying as necessary and progressing to a care plan that ensures optimum maintenance of communication abilities.

Documentation

- Keep full and accurate clinical records in a manner consistent with recognised professional and Trust standards in accordance with local, national, and legal requirements, for electronic and manual systems.

- Record evidence of clinical reasoning that justifies outcomes.

- Make full use of the departmental electronic Patient Management System and other Trust information systems.

- Share relevant information with other professional agencies to facilitate a coordinated multidisciplinary approach maintaining patient confidentiality.

Teaching/Advising

- Teach and advise patients and carers to encourage and facilitate informed choice in a manner sensitive to their communication abilities, including client groups with severe communication difficulties, complex and additional needs, and cultural and ethnic minorities.

- Facilitate and encourage parents and carers to be full and active key members of the rehabilitation team allowing full participation in all decisions using persuasive and motivational skills to achieve optimum outcomes.

Clinical Standards

- Use critical analysis and keep abreast of new developments recommending changes to professional/clinical practice where appropriate.

- Evaluate clinical standards to ensure safe and effective practice.

- Implement departmental protocols and procedures within own area of work.

- Contribute to and undertake clinical audit and research and development to evaluate the effectiveness of care, incorporating the lessons learned through the audit cycle.

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressing and emotional circumstances.
• Ability to make judgements involving complex facts which require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options.
• Basic computing skills.
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort.
• Good time keeping skills and flexible.

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

• Thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the hearing and balance system.
• Hearing aid software programmes and fitting strategies.
• Knowledge of NHS referral routes and policies.
• Understands confidentiality policies and procedures.

Desirable

• Understanding of advanced oto-neurological assessment pathways.

Experience

Essential

• Theoretical and clinical understanding of Audiology.
• Knowledge of clinical assessments and rehabilitation pathways for adults.

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of working with a wide range of adults and children.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc degree in Audiology
• or
• BAA Parts 1 & 2 with equivalent experience and BTEC IN MPPM.
• State Registered Clinical Scientist or Clinical Physiologist with AHCS/RCCP, or ability to start the registration process immediately.

Desirable

• Study to a higher level, i.e.
• BAA Higher Training Scheme.
• Keen to undertake further training and development.

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 Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

Address

Pinderfields Hospital

Aberford Road

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 4DG

Employer's website

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