Senior Audiologist – Balance Service

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Provide clinical sessions and be responsible for the routine operation of clinical sessions and support the financial management of the Audiology Service at RSCH, and in outreach clinics, working in compliance with the policies, protocols and procedures of the Audiology service to ensure professional standards are maintained.

1. Work according to the policies, protocols and procedures of the services as the designated lead audiologist at an outreach clinic and will apply for advice and guidance from the Balance service leads and the Head of Audiology services as necessary.

1. Be responsible for the supervision and training of students and junior staff and participate in the development of audiology staff and service development.

1. Perform, assess interpret and report on a comprehensive range of testing activities related to disorders of balance, including calorics, videonystagmography, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, v-HIT, posturography and clinical bedside testing.

1. Provide a comprehensive range of expert vestibular rehabilitation services for patients, supporting the development and maintenance of user-friendly services.

1. Provide a comprehensive range of expert diagnostic and rehabilitation audiology services for all ages of patient supporting the development and maintenance of family-friendly and user-friendly services.

1. Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities related to the hearing assessment and fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids with adults and have the skill to apply information to the use and application of appropriate hearing aids.

1. Be responsible for the careful and accurate recording of patient sessions and clinical observations archiving paper based data onto computer systems and writing in patient notes in compliance with Trust policies.

1. Have the judgemental skills needed in performing and choosing the vestibular tests required in vestibular clinics based on patient history.

1. Be responsible for not wasting resources by careful use and good judgement and be responsible for the care, use and daily calibration of equipment, reporting on any faults and acting on faults reported by junior staff so that repair and maintenance of equipment can be maintained at a high standard.

1. Be required to communicate complex information to patients with skill, reassurance and understanding. Be able to explain vestibular results and technical information which may involve breaking bad news to patients. The post holder will adapt their communication method to ensure that the patient is able to understand them using communication tactics that are optimal for the patient.

1. Be required to offer counselling and support in emotive and sensitive situations sympathetically handling the expectations, questions, frustrations and distress of patients.

1. Be able to deal with aggressive or confrontational patients by calming the situation.

1. Provide specialist advice counselling and support to patients to help minimise disability due to balance problems.

1. Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide specialist vestibular advice to aid patient care.

1. Implement good working practices in compliance with the Trusts Human Resources policies.

1. Take responsibility for handling complaints and any concerns arising from patients in outreach clinics or RSCH in collaboration with the Balance team lead and Head of Audiology Services.

1. Have computer keyboard skills and the knowledge to be able to use the departmental IT systems including the patient management system.

1. Participate in research and development as may be necessary, and in audit and monitoring performance in order to assure the quality of services and strive for continued improvement in service delivery.

1. Implement new procedures and make recommendations proposing changes to working practice in own area of work in liaison with Balance team lead with the aim of improving the patients experience and the service.

1. Update their own professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new technologies and audiological techniques and be responsible for ensuring Continued Professional Development as required for state registration.

1. Be responsible for planning own time management and that of junior staff to ensure effective use of clinical time.

1. Be responsible for undertaking monthly activity reports in the outreach clinics to monitor clinical activity and enable financial management.

1. Maintain good and effective communication with all staff and the general public through the management framework of the department.

1. Comply at all times with the RSCH and outreach hospitals Health and Safety policies in particular following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the Trusts Incident Reporting system.

1. Co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

1. Maintain and participate in clinical governance of the Audiology Services.

1. Respect confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

1. Actively support and assist colleagues across the Trust to achieve their personal and RSCH objectives and the post holder will receive similar support.

1. Take responsibility for the operational management of the balance service in an outreach Hospital.

1. The post holder will be responsible for managing and supervising junior staff working in the outreach hospital.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A BSc or PTP in Audiology Or BTEC National Certificate in MPPM BAATS Part 1 & 2
• Certificate in Audiological competence
• Member of British Academy of Audiologists
• Registered as a Healthcare Scientist with the Health Professionals (RCCP/HCP0

Desirable

• HTS certificate in Balance diagnostics and / or Balance rehabilitation

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of clinical Audiology and hearing aid technology oAuditbase patient management system oNoah software oHearing aid software - Oticon and Phonak software
• Clinically competent at assessing candidacy and treating vestibular patients
• Experience of working as an independent practitioner for a range of vestibular assessment and rehabilitative techniques and outcomes. oCalorics oVideonystagmography oVestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials oPosturography ov-HIT oBedside Clinical Assessment Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development

Desirable

• Possess a thorough and current knowledge of NHS policy, the present general management agenda for change, and the generic and specific operational working of the organisation
• Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

• Leadership and team building skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritise workloads and delegate appropriately
• Experience of managing and motivating a team
• Strategic thinking with the ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills OR/AND any other relevant IT systems applicable to the applicant
• Equality and Diversity Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Surrey Hospital

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

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