Job summary
An exciting opportunity to join our team as an Advanced Audiologist has become available in the Audiology department at Walsall Manor Hospital.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated individual with significant experience who is passionate about providing high quality care to patients and driving forward improvement.
The post holder will participate in the provision of a comprehensive diagnostic audiology service and hearing rehabilitative service, working at a senior level. The post holder will be a highly experienced specialised Audiologist who will assist the Principal Audiologist in the day to day running and development of the Audiology Service.
The post holder will be accountable to the Principal Audiologist and will ensure that a consistently high-quality clinical service is provided. This post holder will be a suitably qualified Audiologist with a proven track record of diagnostic testing and rehabilitation with a genuine interest in a specialist area of audiology, as well as a level of management experience.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to undertake audiological tests and procedures on outpatients to inform clinical diagnosis and provide factual reports.
The post holder will act as a role model and undertake clinical supervision, mentoring and training of junior staff. The post holder will be expected to update their own professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new digital hearing aid technology.
The post holder will share responsibility for the day to day running of Audiology Department within the requirements laid down by the Principal Audiologist and will help in providing an efficient service within Walsall Hospitals/clinics.
About us
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.
A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist the Principal Audiologist with the day-to-day management of the Audiology Department, including monitoring of financial activity, responsibility for stock control and ordering, to encourage all staff to be aware of cost-effective use of devices and materials.
Production and maintenance of staff rotas.
To support the management and administration of the Audiology Patient Management System, liaise with the System developers and the I.T department at Trust level on aspects of system maintenance including calibration services and system upgrades.
To participate in staff recruitment.
To participate in staff development through systematic individual performance review, establishing personal development plans to reflect the needs of the organisation and the individual.
Manage sickness, disciplinary and performance issues in line with Trust policies.
Demonstrate leadership and the ability to motivate staff within the service area.
To participate in future service developments.
To take a lead role in the provision of Adult Audiology services, providing a comprehensive diagnostic service including non-routine and advanced procedures.
To provide a comprehensive adult rehabilitation service including the provision of advanced digital sound processing aids.
To undertake assessments on patients referred directly to the Audiology Department from General Practitioners and produce care plans for those patients.
To refer patients on to other specialists as required. Including tertiary referrals to other organisations such as the CI programme.
To demonstrate a high level of clinic skill in one or more specialist areas of Audiology.
Provide clinical supervision of trainees within the department such as apprentices, BSc trainees on placement within the department and visitors from other services or departments on placement.
To be involved in the delivery of occasional training sessions on audiology treatments for staff and other groups of health care professionals who interface with the service.
To be a key member of the team involved in the ongoing IQIPs accreditation process. This may include regular auditing of various aspects of the service.
Represent Audiology at Trust, Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings, Regional and National meetings and at training events.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist the Principal Audiologist with the day-to-day management of the Audiology Department, including monitoring of financial activity, responsibility for stock control and ordering, to encourage all staff to be aware of cost-effective use of devices and materials.
Production and maintenance of staff rotas.
To support the management and administration of the Audiology Patient Management System, liaise with the System developers and the I.T department at Trust level on aspects of system maintenance including calibration services and system upgrades.
To participate in staff recruitment.
To participate in staff development through systematic individual performance review, establishing personal development plans to reflect the needs of the organisation and the individual.
Manage sickness, disciplinary and performance issues in line with Trust policies.
Demonstrate leadership and the ability to motivate staff within the service area.
To participate in future service developments.
To take a lead role in the provision of Adult Audiology services, providing a comprehensive diagnostic service including non-routine and advanced procedures.
To provide a comprehensive adult rehabilitation service including the provision of advanced digital sound processing aids.
To undertake assessments on patients referred directly to the Audiology Department from General Practitioners and produce care plans for those patients.
To refer patients on to other specialists as required. Including tertiary referrals to other organisations such as the CI programme.
To demonstrate a high level of clinic skill in one or more specialist areas of Audiology.
Provide clinical supervision of trainees within the department such as apprentices, BSc trainees on placement within the department and visitors from other services or departments on placement.
To be involved in the delivery of occasional training sessions on audiology treatments for staff and other groups of health care professionals who interface with the service.
To be a key member of the team involved in the ongoing IQIPs accreditation process. This may include regular auditing of various aspects of the service.
Represent Audiology at Trust, Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings, Regional and National meetings and at training events.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Audiology or equivalent
- AHCS/HCPC Registration
Desirable
- Membership of Professional body (BSA and/or BAA)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in an NHS audiology department.
- Significant experience in a Band 6 Post or higher
- Significant experience in advanced audiological assessment and rehabilitation.
- Significant experience in a specialist area of Audiology- diagnostics and rehabilitation.
- Previous management experience
Desirable
- Competent in ABR (NHSP referrals/ Cortical Evoked Potentials/ ASSR/ Neurological ABR) and Diagnostic OAE techniques
Key Competencies
Essential
- Significant and recent experience in objective testing of complex and non-complex patients with hearing loss (including profound) and associated communication difficulties.
- Evidence of experience in a specialist area of audiology.
- Knowledge of management skills and techniques.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent leadership and values.
- Knowledge of NHS Human Resource policies
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, the ability to lead, be an effective member of a team, delegate appropriately, solve problems and resolve conflicts sensitively and decisively.
- Highly developed counselling skills.
- Advanced IT skills
- Ability to work alongside Head of Department to provide evidence for, and to work towards IQIPS/UKAS accreditation.
- The ability to prioritise and respond positively to potentially stressful and/or challenging situations.
- An ability to promote high quality professional standards.
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to travel to outreach clinics, care homes and patients homes to provide full range of audiological services.
- Full driving licence and use of car.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Audiology or equivalent
- AHCS/HCPC Registration
Desirable
- Membership of Professional body (BSA and/or BAA)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in an NHS audiology department.
- Significant experience in a Band 6 Post or higher
- Significant experience in advanced audiological assessment and rehabilitation.
- Significant experience in a specialist area of Audiology- diagnostics and rehabilitation.
- Previous management experience
Desirable
- Competent in ABR (NHSP referrals/ Cortical Evoked Potentials/ ASSR/ Neurological ABR) and Diagnostic OAE techniques
Key Competencies
Essential
- Significant and recent experience in objective testing of complex and non-complex patients with hearing loss (including profound) and associated communication difficulties.
- Evidence of experience in a specialist area of audiology.
- Knowledge of management skills and techniques.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent leadership and values.
- Knowledge of NHS Human Resource policies
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, the ability to lead, be an effective member of a team, delegate appropriately, solve problems and resolve conflicts sensitively and decisively.
- Highly developed counselling skills.
- Advanced IT skills
- Ability to work alongside Head of Department to provide evidence for, and to work towards IQIPS/UKAS accreditation.
- The ability to prioritise and respond positively to potentially stressful and/or challenging situations.
- An ability to promote high quality professional standards.
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to travel to outreach clinics, care homes and patients homes to provide full range of audiological services.
- Full driving licence and use of car.
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.
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.
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).
