Audiology Practitioner

A practicing healthcare practitioner, who contributes towards provision of a comprehensive Audiology Service.

Assists the Audiology Manager in the daily clinical work of the department and is responsible for managing their own workload without direct supervision.

In addition to audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting and re-evaluation clinics, adult audiology provide specialist vestibular clinics and a hearing therapy service. We work closely with our colleagues in ENT and Paediatric Audiology.

Applicants must have the ability to prioritise their time and work schedule effectively, be flexible, have excellent written and oral communication, ability to meet deadlines and be a team player within a multidisciplinary team, with a knowledge and acceptance of diverse populations.

The Audiology Practitioner must be registered with the AHCS.

Rehabilitative care, diagnostic assessments of hearing, and care for adult hearing aid users, children over 5 years of age, and their carers/relatives.

Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills with other professionals and service users, including patients, carers and relatives.

Takes part in contributing to service development and maintains professional standards.

Maintains patient and departmental records both written and electronic using computer databases and word processing.

Provides clinical assessments and hearing aid programming and provision using complex computer software and specific specialised hardware.

Assists in one or more of the specialist areas of Audiology service provision.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join us in our busy team of adult audiologists. Our work covers sites across East Lancashire in both hospital and community settings. The appointee will be responsible and accountable for their day to day clinical work.

**Clinical**:
1. Assists the Audiology Manager in the provision of specific clinical

work on a daily basis, ensuring and efficient and effective service within

clinical governance guidelines.

Follows professional standards and protocols without direct supervision.

Contact with clients within hospital clinical settings, community clinical settings, patients own home and nursing homes on domiciliary visits

To perform and analyse diagnostic assessments of hearing on adults and children over 5 years of age.

Using air conduction headphones and bone conduction vibrator to obtain accurate hearing threshold levels using masking where appropriate, and following BSA guidelines. Instructing the patient on what is required of them to perform the test including the use of tact and persuasion where barriers to understanding exist. Requiring frequent use of keyboard whilst sitting in a restricted position.

Perform middle ear analysis using tympanometry, including probe microphone insertion to determine the function of the middle ear. As part of the test battery for further management of medical conditions.

Perform examination of the ear using clinical Otoscope in order to identify healthy and abnormal ear conditions. Recognising contra-indications to performing further procedures and appropriate referral to other professionals (ENT, GP, Specialist ENT Nurse) for management where required

Using assessment results to select and programme appropriate hearing aids using specific computer software and hardware tools.

Assess patient’s individual, physical abilities and social needs in choice of aid and programmes.

Involves fine manual dexterity and care, requiring prolonged concentration

Rehabilitation and counselling

Instructing patient on effective use of aid, communicating realistic expectations, advice on the disabling effects of hearing loss. Using basic directive counselling and empathic skills to empower the patient in their rehabilitation and management of hearing loss.

Formulating individualised care plans.

Using effective communication and persuasion where a poor motivational attitude to hearing loss may exist and barriers to understanding and communication may include hearing loss, visual impairment (including deaf-blind clients), dementia and stroke patients with aphasia.

Liaise with nursing and residential homes and give advice and presentations to staff and residents to ensure all hearing-impaired residents are given an informed and quality service in regard to their communication needs

**Audit and outcome measures**:
Audit the benefit of hearing aid use and patient satisfaction using nationally recognised benefit profiles and questionnaires. Input the information into software packages.

Using the outcome measures for further rehabilitation measures

To participate in the open access hearing aid repair sessions. This entails

Dealing with maintenance and replacement of faulty hearing aids, supply of batteries, re-tubing of earmoulds.

Dealing with queries and problems presented by patients and carers and referring them to the appropriate professional if requir