Newborn Hearing Screener

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated, enthusiastic person to join the Northern Care Alliance as a Newborn Hearing Screener.

The Rochdale and Oldham newborn hearing screening service is a small, friendly and experienced team that provides newborn hearing screening to approximately 6000 babies per year born at the Royal Oldham Hospital. The service also offers screening at out-patient clinics across Rochdale and Oldham up to the age of 12 weeks. Newborn hearing screening is performed to identify permanent, significant hearing impairment in newborn babies. Early identification can reduce the impact on the development of language, speech and communication skills.

The role is 26 hours per week to be worked flexibly over 4 days. The service offers 7 day a week coverage and therefore there is a requirement to work regular weekends and bank holidays at an enhanced pay rate. The team is based at Royal Oldham Hospital with a requirement to work at outpatient clinics across Rochdale and Oldham. A full driving licence and access to a car is therefore essential.

You will be required to undertake a Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners to become a qualified Newborn Hearing Screener. This is a national qualification which non-professionally regulated staff working in some screening services complete. The Diploma involves a range of written, oral, and practical assessments and must be completed within 12 months of enrolment.

Identify all newborn babies requiring screening and ensure the Newborn Hearing Screen is offered.

To promote the principles of Family Friendly Hearing Services ensuring effective communication with parents throughout the screening process.

To communicate effectively with other members of the Newborn hearing screening team including screeners, supervisor, administrator and NHSP manager.

Obtain informed consent as per national and local protocols.

Carry out hearing screening within the maternity units (including Special Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units) and outpatient clinics, using specialised equipment, as per national and local protocols and procedures.

To collate and accurately record administrative and clinical information including test results on the record sheets and NHSP IT system Smart4Hearing.

To use Badgernet to accurately record hearing screen results in the patient notes.

To liaise with maternity, neo-natal and audiology services to ensure families receive a seamless screening and follow-up service.

Rochdale Care Organisation is part of the Northern Care Alliance, one of the largest NHS organisations in the country. A place destined to be different. Rochdale puts co-operation and co-design at the forefront of its health and social care. This is the place with community based integrated care at its heart. Rochdale Infirmary, and the adult and children’s community services across Heywood Middleton and Rochdale, consists of professionals from health, social and voluntary sectors. A place leading the way in life-enhancing, integrated care.