Job summary
We are looking for three caring and organised individuals to join our Paediatric Audiology team at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board as School Entry Hearing Screeners.
There are three positions available which will be based either in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil or Rhondda Taff Ely.Travel will be expected to schools across regions, with flexibility to cover other bases as necessary.
There are two term-time positions available and one full-year position (not term-time).All positions are part time (18.75 hours/ week) across four days e.g. 9.15am-2.30pm.
This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the early identification of hearing difficulties in children, helping to support their development and educational outcomes. The successful candidate will work independently in school settings, performing hearing tests and liaising with health and education professionals. They will be responsible for arranging school visits and the administrative duties relevant to the role.
Main duties of the job
Please see the job description and personal specification for the main duties of the job.
Work efficiently and confidently as an indirectly supervised practitioner guided by standard policies and procedures to screen and monitor children's hearing in schools
Follow protocols to ensure child is managed appropriately. For all tests completed, to communicate results of the hearing screen to parents in written format.
Manage own time effectively to include planning of workload in collaboration with other team members. With support, develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to perform, record and report hearing tests safely and accurately.
Welsh Skills Desirable: This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. This doesn't mean essential; whilst the candidate doesn't need to have skills in Welsh, we'll consider it an advantage when short-listing and selecting candidates. This isn't 'fluency', just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about their everyday health. For more information, see 'Welsh Language Guidance' in the documents right at the bottom.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board, part of NHS Wales, serves a large population across a diverse and beautiful region, steeped in history and heritage. With nearly 13,500 staff, our health board is one of Wales's largest employers.
Together, we are Team CTM; a workforce dedicated to offering excellent patient care and support to the 450,000 people across our three regions, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We operate three District General hospitals, several community hospitals, primary and community care facilities.
CTM's location offers the best of South Wales, just 20 minutes from Cardiff's vibrant city life, the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the serene coastline at Ogmore. Whether you enjoy lively urban amenities, peaceful countryside, or seaside escapes, our location makes an ideal setting for both work and personal life.
Our CTM 2030 Strategy--Our Health, Our Future--focuses on uniting our region around shared health and wellbeing goals. Our values guide us daily:
o We listen, learn, and improve
o We treat everyone with respect
o We work together as one team
CTM employees enjoy benefits including; a leading pension, generous leave, flexible work, career growth, and access to ongoing learning and development.
At CTM, you'll find a welcoming, team-oriented workplace that values diversity and compassion, where you can take pride in your work and the difference it makes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work efficiently and confidently as an indirectly supervised practitioner guided by standard policies and procedures to screen and monitor childrens hearing in schools
Develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to perform, record and report hearing tests safely and accurately.
Perform hearing screening tests and audiometry to ensure child is managed appropriately.
Notify and prepare each school by phone call prior to any visit.
Liaise with school health team and school to ensure that each child on whom the hearing test is intended to be performed has received relevant paperwork including that relating to consent for testing.
Communicate effectively with professional colleagues in Health and Education including (but not isolated to) Head Teachers, school staff, Community Paediatricians, GPs, School Nurses/ Nurse Assistants, Speech and Language Therapists and Health Visitors.
Communicate effectively with children considering their age, preferred language and developmental needs. This (often) requires providing reassurance to apprehensive children and skills to overcome communication problems/ sensitive approach to children eg with additional learning needs. Appropriate involvement of school support staff.
Gain cooperation and maintain a quiet and calm atmosphere during the test ensuring that results obtained are reliable and accurate.
In instances where onward referral is required, to contact parents by telephone to inform of results and discuss any relevant further information with them, ensuring this is accurately documented for sharing with audiology.
Report any complaints to the lead of paediatric audiology.
Use initiative when acting on information from children, young people, parents and carers and be able to respond appropriately e.g. safeguarding disclosures. Report to the lead of paediatric community audiology.
Handle and store equipment and consumables within accepted and safe limits.
Complete daily calibration and hygiene checks on audiometer (hearing test equipment) to ensure that it is safe and ready prior to clinical use.
Identify equipment faults and accurately report these.
To assist in clinic-based audiology appointments as required.
Maintain own personal/ professional development ensuring compliance in mandatory training.
Contribute to research, training and development programmes within Audiology by recording data and making observations.
Maintain awareness of developments within Audiology ensuring personal knowledge and skills are consistently developed in order to maintain current competency.
Provide training as appropriate to training and experience eg demonstrating service to trainee audiologists/ student nurses.
Provide own activity figures/ statistical information to clinical lead.
Participate in clinical audit and governance programmes within the Audiology Service, providing information as required.
Contribute to individual performance review.
The post holder will be required to comply with the departmental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines and participate in any changes to working practices.
Workload is managed by the Post holder within the Department in an efficient manner, following Directorate, Health Board policies and procedures at all times.
Work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Working to tight deadlines, able to determine priorities.
Attend regular Safeguarding training. Know own responsibility and mechanism for reporting concerns in line with UHB policy and procedure.
Adhere to Health Board Lone Worker Policy and departmental procedure.
Responsible for limiting your actions to those which you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties you should immediately speak to your manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work efficiently and confidently as an indirectly supervised practitioner guided by standard policies and procedures to screen and monitor childrens hearing in schools
Develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to perform, record and report hearing tests safely and accurately.
Perform hearing screening tests and audiometry to ensure child is managed appropriately.
Notify and prepare each school by phone call prior to any visit.
Liaise with school health team and school to ensure that each child on whom the hearing test is intended to be performed has received relevant paperwork including that relating to consent for testing.
Communicate effectively with professional colleagues in Health and Education including (but not isolated to) Head Teachers, school staff, Community Paediatricians, GPs, School Nurses/ Nurse Assistants, Speech and Language Therapists and Health Visitors.
Communicate effectively with children considering their age, preferred language and developmental needs. This (often) requires providing reassurance to apprehensive children and skills to overcome communication problems/ sensitive approach to children eg with additional learning needs. Appropriate involvement of school support staff.
Gain cooperation and maintain a quiet and calm atmosphere during the test ensuring that results obtained are reliable and accurate.
In instances where onward referral is required, to contact parents by telephone to inform of results and discuss any relevant further information with them, ensuring this is accurately documented for sharing with audiology.
Report any complaints to the lead of paediatric audiology.
Use initiative when acting on information from children, young people, parents and carers and be able to respond appropriately e.g. safeguarding disclosures. Report to the lead of paediatric community audiology.
Handle and store equipment and consumables within accepted and safe limits.
Complete daily calibration and hygiene checks on audiometer (hearing test equipment) to ensure that it is safe and ready prior to clinical use.
Identify equipment faults and accurately report these.
To assist in clinic-based audiology appointments as required.
Maintain own personal/ professional development ensuring compliance in mandatory training.
Contribute to research, training and development programmes within Audiology by recording data and making observations.
Maintain awareness of developments within Audiology ensuring personal knowledge and skills are consistently developed in order to maintain current competency.
Provide training as appropriate to training and experience eg demonstrating service to trainee audiologists/ student nurses.
Provide own activity figures/ statistical information to clinical lead.
Participate in clinical audit and governance programmes within the Audiology Service, providing information as required.
Contribute to individual performance review.
The post holder will be required to comply with the departmental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines and participate in any changes to working practices.
Workload is managed by the Post holder within the Department in an efficient manner, following Directorate, Health Board policies and procedures at all times.
Work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Working to tight deadlines, able to determine priorities.
Attend regular Safeguarding training. Know own responsibility and mechanism for reporting concerns in line with UHB policy and procedure.
Adhere to Health Board Lone Worker Policy and departmental procedure.
Responsible for limiting your actions to those which you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties you should immediately speak to your manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- GCSE English or equivalent
- Science qualification to NVQ III or equivalent or knowledge of admin procedures plus general education to NVQ III level equivalent. Or IT qualification to NVQ III or equivalent.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Audiology and Audiological procedures to NVQ III or equivalent.
- A-level in a science subject or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people
- The ability to work with computer systems
- Experience working as part of team
- Experience working as part of team
- Experience communicating confidently with colleagues at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience of working in school health/ education
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards achieving this level
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to work alone and as part of team
- Ability to communicate confidently with colleagues at all levels
- Confidentiality & diplomacy
- Friendly approachable manner
- Willingness to learn.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Speaking/Listening Skill at Level 3 or above
Other Role Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel within geographical area in a timely manner
- Able to work hours flexibly
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- GCSE English or equivalent
- Science qualification to NVQ III or equivalent or knowledge of admin procedures plus general education to NVQ III level equivalent. Or IT qualification to NVQ III or equivalent.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Audiology and Audiological procedures to NVQ III or equivalent.
- A-level in a science subject or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people
- The ability to work with computer systems
- Experience working as part of team
- Experience working as part of team
- Experience communicating confidently with colleagues at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience of working in school health/ education
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards achieving this level
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to work alone and as part of team
- Ability to communicate confidently with colleagues at all levels
- Confidentiality & diplomacy
- Friendly approachable manner
- Willingness to learn.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Speaking/Listening Skill at Level 3 or above
Other Role Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel within geographical area in a timely manner
- Able to work hours flexibly
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Address
Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Princess of Wales Hospital or Keir Hardie Health Park
Ynysmaerdy/ Coity Road/ Aberdare Road
Llantrisant/ Bridgend/ Merthyr Tydfil
CF72 8XR
Employer's website
https://joinctm.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
