Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Principal Audiologist

The closing date is 24 March 2026

Job summary

The post holder will be responsible for the management and provision of adult and paediatric Audiology services across the Trust.

This will require high professional standards in the areas of:

The scientific, technical, rehabilitative and clinical activity of the service

Patient care

The effective and efficient use of resources and the management of workload

The communication of highly specialised/complex knowledge to professionals both within and external to the Trust

Policy and service development

Training for Audiologists and other staff

Main duties of the job

This is a senior role providing operational and clinical leadership to the Audiology Department across all Trust sites.

The post holder is responsible and accountable for all resources and services provided by Audiology, to include all Adult and Paediatric service provision and operational management of scientific, rehabilitative and support services in line with Divisional, Organisational and National policy.

The postholder will work closely with the Divisional Team to ensure appropriate waiting list management and achievement of national performance targets.

The post holder will manage the strategic planning, finance, clinical governance and quality assurance for the service.

The post holder will be responsible for staff allocation and management, training and supervision, recruitment, appraisal and performance.

The post holder will be responsible for the Newborn Hearing Screening Service and provide line management of the NHSP manager.

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. It provides 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 ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per anum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

407-SURGERY-7843104

Job locations

Manor Hospital

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

Management

Accountable for the operational management of Audiology services across all Trust sites.

Provide professional leadership across the whole Audiology service, initiate and participate in audit and service development, including working towards service -wide IQIPS accreditation.

To ensure that clinical and professional standards are maintained at all times.

To take overall responsibility for the recruitment, performance and retention of staff across the service, delegating to deputy leads as appropriate. Responsible for the development of all staff within the Audiology service, ensuring management of appraisals, mandatory and role specific training and absence management.

To actively participate in and contribute at an operational or strategic level as appropriate at a range of meetings at Trust, Regional, National and multiagency levels where required.

To be responsible for the services budget managing pay and non-pay costs within the service.

Responsible for the procurement, maintenance and calibration of all equipment and assets.

To ensure that services are delivered against KPI targets, activity and income plans and consistent with national/professional recommendations and best practice.

To be accountable for the monitoring of performance data across the service, ensuring the effective use of staff resources to align demand and capacity, proactively leading waiting time management.

To be responsible for the long-term strategic planning of the service. To actively seek opportunities for service developments and consult with senior managers within the Division/Trust to assess their impact on activity, planning and income. To drive transformation as well as value for money in planning, commissioning and service provision.

To work with clinicians and managers to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, optimise the use of resources, and respond to changes in service need.

To support Audiology staff in delivering patient centred care using streamlined evidence-based pathways.

To interpret and implement national strategy policies/procedures ands ensure their integration into departmental policies and protocols.

Responsible and accountable for clinical governance within the Audiology Service.

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance Trust and professional standards and assist in providing reports where appropriate.

Responsible for management of compliments and complaints relating to the audiology service.

To ensure that Safeguarding processes for children and vulnerable adults are managed throughout the service, including access to training and local policies where appropriate.

Complete all Statutory and mandatory training relevant to role in a timely manner.

Clinical

To manage a clinical caseload depending on service need including adult and paediatric complex and routine cases (NB. The exact clinical duties will depend on the professional area of expertise of the post holder)

To liaise with a specialist team of professionals within the department and wider Trust structure to ensure each patient receives a high quality and well co-ordinated service.

To ensure that daily calibration and safety checks are conducted on relevant equipment within the Audiology service.

To provide complex and sensitive information and advice to hearing impaired patients and carers, using persuasive, motivational, empathetic and reassuring skills, to gain patient/carer agreement with treatment plans. This will include the imparting and understanding of highly technical and complex information to patients, carers and relevant professionals.

Demonstrate skills in conflict resolution and negotiation when dealing with difficult or challenging situations including the discussion of cases with other clinical staff.

Maintain own continuing professional development in adherence to guidelines provided by relevant national bodies in order to maintain a professional overview and develop areas of expertise.

Maintain up to date knowledge of clinical techniques, procedures and equipment, disseminating learning and knowledge to other team members.

To undertake regular clinical sessions in order to maintain a high clinical profile, professional competence, authority and credibility.

Other Duties

The information supplied above is intended to summarise the key responsibilities and duties of the role. The post holder may be required from time to time to conduct other reasonable requests and duties as required, consistent with the responsibilities of their Banding and development as agreed between employee and manager.

Job Design and Review

This job description may be subject to change in the future. Any proposed changes will normally be discussed fully with the post holder with the AfC job evaluation process applied and confirmed via the issue of an updated job description.