Audiologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Teaching Trust acknowledges and supports the statements laid down by in the British Academy of Audiology codes of conduct and the Academy of Healthcare Science.

You are professionally accountable to the British Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Healthcare Science/RCCP, accountable contractually to your employer and accountable to the law for your actions.

Professional accountability is fundamentally concerned with weighing up the interests of patients and clients in complex situations, using professional knowledge, judgement, and skills to make a decision and enabling you to account for the decision made.

If you delegate work, your accountability is to make sure that the person who does the work can do it and that the appropriate levels of supervision or support are in place.

You are required to keep confidential all information and documentation relating to either a patient or member of staff or directorates business which he/she encounters. All staff are expected to respect the requirements of the data protection act 1998 as this incorporates the need for a high standard of data quality, confidentiality, and information security.

As an employee you will be required to comply with Clinical Governance.

You are personally responsible for maintaining registration as a Clinical Physiologist with the Academy of Healthcare Science/RCCP.

Clinical Responsibilities

Autonomously devise, undertake, interpret, and report on basic and advanced audio/otoneurological diagnostic investigation strategies on a range of client groups, to achieve diagnosis and care plan development ensuring optimum patient communication abilities 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.

Clinical Reasoning

- Demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise the clinical findings from the 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 abilities, enhancing the potential for social integration and improved wellbeing on both adults and paediatrics, including those with additional special needs.

- Using appropriate prescription formula select and fit, a full range of NHS hearing instruments and assistive listening devices, to both adults and paediatrics with support, using a variety of software programmes to verify selected prescription formula and hearing instrument.

- Perform real ear measures on all patients ensuring accurate placement of the fine probe tube to BSA recommendations facilitating accurate measurement and 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 routine 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 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, to include 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 outcome.

Clinical Standards

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

- 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 effectiveness of care delivery incorporating the lessons learned through the audit cycle.

Person Specification

Skills & 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.

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.

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

• Thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology of hearing and balance system.
• Hearing aid software programmes and fitting strategies.
• Knowledge of NHS referral routes, policies, and structures.
• Confidentiality policies and procedures

Desirable

• Advanced oto-neurological assessment pathways.

Qualifications

Essential

• B.Sc 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 register immediately.

Desirable

• Study to a higher level, i.e.
• BAA HTS.
• 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)