Senior Audiologist

Job summary

Acute AudiologyEast Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the East Kent Surgical Acute Audiology Service for a motivated and enthusiastic Band 6 Audiologist. This is a fixed term contract for 12 months.

This post is based primarily at Kent and Canterbury Hospital with opportunities to work as part of a friendly, dynamic, and forward-thinking Audiology team across East Kent. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is the largest local AQP provider of Audiology services, supporting local GPSI ENT services and working closely with new and returning ENT Otology Consultants. Together, we are committed to the continued development of high-quality diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services for our patients.

Applicants should hold a BAAT/BTEC National Certificate in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurement (MPPM) or a BSc/MSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) or an equivalent qualification. Candidates must also demonstrate relevant NHS audiology experience appropriate to their level of qualification.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive service during a period of growth and clinical development.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a motivated and suitably qualified Audiologist with relevant clinical experience to join our friendly, dedicated, and hardworking team. The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive audiology service, providing a full range of diagnostic and rehabilitative care.

This role offers the opportunity to utilise and further develop a broad range of clinical skills, including vestibular and tinnitus assessment and rehabilitation, paediatric and adult diagnostic audiology, hearing aid fitting, GP direct referral pathways, complex diagnostic investigations, and Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) diagnostics.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.

Job responsibilities

To competently carry out the following clinical duties, procedures and policies with indirect on-site supervision, in accordance within local and national professional standards policies and procedures:

To carry out Professional National and Local Audiology and Trust Policies, Protocols, Pathways and Procedures in all work-related employment across the Trust ensuring all professional standards are maintained and will apply for advice and guidance from senior staff and the Audiology Service Manager as necessary

To maintain personal, professional status by ensuring that it meets the requirements in accordance with MHAS/MCHAS, BAA, BSA, HCPC and AHCS/ACHS

Perform, assess, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of testing activities related to disorders of hearing, including advanced techniques, working with adults and children and working as part of a team with younger children and complex patients

Provide a range of diagnostic and rehabilitation Acute Audiology Services for all ages of patient while supporting the development and maintenance of our family-friendly and user-friendly service

To carry out audiological duties, procedures and policies in accordance with BSA, BAA and ACHS, and within the confines of the Trusts policies and procedures

Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities related to the fitting and fine tuning and rehabilitation of hearing aid provision to all Acute Audiology Service patients.

To professionally impart all information requirements to the Acute Audiology Service patients in an appropriate manner to the individual patients communication strategy

To produce factual and accurate reports on all investigations to help determine course of action within agreed timescales and to department protocols. To be responsible for the careful, timely and accurate recording of these and the patient sessions, clinical and rehabilitation observations onto Trust based computer systems in compliance with National regulation and Trust Policies. To also provide the appropriate information and technology support as required by the Systems administrator for Audit base, as required on a daily basis.

Have the judgmental skills needed in performing and choosing the audiology tests required in supporting ENT clinics

Be responsible for not wasting resources by careful use and good judgment 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

Be required to communicate complex information to patients with skill, reassurance and understanding and explain audiological results and technical information which may involve breaking bad news to patients and their carer/family who have considerable cognitive communication, hearing difficulties or to parents whose children are being diagnosed with possible hearing impairment. The post holder will adapt their communication method to ensure that the patient/carer/family is able to understand them using communication tactics that are optimal for the patient

Provide advice, counselling and support to patients and parents and children to help minimize disability due to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems and be responsible for liaising and communicating with other support services as needed

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

Be able to deal with aggressive or confrontational patients by calming the situation and be able to persuade reluctant hearing aid users to have a more positive attitude and report any concerns to the Audiology Service Manager, Deputy or Chief Audiologist promptly

Advise on assistive listening devices and other services for those with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems referring to other agencies, specialized staff and volunteers as appropriate

Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide advice on technical issues and audiological support

Have the dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills used every day for the precise fitting and adjusting of digital sound processing hearing aids using Real Ear Measures involving insertion of probe tube microphones and taking of impressions of ears

To be able to kneel or bend whilst examining ears and be able to carry stock or equipment to and from other sites and assist infirm patients onto or off chairs and be able to work in enclosed areas, sound proof booths possibly with no windows or climate control

Be able to work for long periods of concentration during tasks such as hearing aid fitting, history taking and precise audiological testing and be able to tailor instructions, explanations and information to suit patients personal requirements to accomplish full understanding, co-operation and good test responses

To fulfill any contractual obligations the Trust may have with external organisations relating to Audiological service delivery in line with Departmental standards

To attend professional meetings and study sessions as appropriate and keep an up-to-date professional development portfolio, as well as to cascade the information to other staff as required

Person specification

Governance

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of working within and reporting Audiology Test procedures/pathways to DoH, NICE, BAA and BSA Audiology standards
• Knowledge of complex diagnostic testing and pathways
• To practice within RCCP &/or HCPC Professional Guidance
• To competently and effectively work within the Trust Mandatory values, protocols and practices including the appraisal process

Desirable

• Registered with BSA/BAA

Clinical skills and experience

Essential

• NHS experience of routine and complex audiological diagnostic procedures
• NHS experience of routine and complex audiological rehabilitation procedures
• Experience of working with the deaf, their families and their culture
• Demonstrate experience in working to BSA/BAA Practices and Protocols
• Demonstrable experience in problem solving and equipment maintenance
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to assess, verify, fit, follow-up and repair NHS hearing aid provision with the professional ability to undertake hearing aid verification techniques
• Able to use Microsoft Word and Excel proficiently
• Excellent interpersonal skills including a good telephone /virtual/face to face manner with good clear use of verbal and body language with a distinct, effective level of English to enable skilful communication verbally & written
• Produce factual, accurate and legible data input and statistics into service user journal entries, letters and reports on current templates and stock modules for all audiological requirements while adhering to data protection
• Ability to prioritise to meet targets; organise own workload and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Reliable and good time management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility to adapt with the needs of a changing service
• The ability to work unsupervised but to seek advice when necessary
• Commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable

• British Sign Language
• Experience of using Audit Base
• Dementia Friend

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• BSc or MSc in Audiological Science or Healthcare Science Audiology or BAAT parts 1 & 2 or Audiology Healthcare Science Apprenticeship Level 6
• A current RCCP and/or HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Masters degree

Personal/professional attributes

Essential

• Worked effectively within an NHS Audiology Service and looking to expand Audiological knowledge and skills
• The ability to absorb, apply and utilise new information
• Customer orientated, reliable, confident, approachable, a self-motivated team player willing and able to contribute ideas to the wider team
• The ability to exercise and manage own work effectively, and have a flexible and versatile approach to problem solving
• Demonstrate flexibility to adapt with the needs of a changing service

Other requirements

Essential

• To have a knowledge & understanding of the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
• Ability travel in a timely manner between Trust sites
• To be capable and willing to undertake the required training throughout employment within this post to achieve/maintain professional compliancy