Audiologist Apprentice

Are you looking to start an exciting career in the Healthcare sector? Are you attracted to science but with a strong desire to help people too, and an excellent communicator? If so, this apprenticeship post should appeal to you. We are offering to pay a salary and fund your learning as you work towards gaining a degree in Audiology with Middlesex University. The programme lasts for 3 years and you will have the support of your Manager, the department’s training lead and your colleagues. Your learning will include a blend of theory and practice and will involve both university and self-directed learning. Once successfully qualified, you are guaranteed a Band 5 post in one of Bedfordshire Hospitals Audiology departments.

For the duration of the 3 year training programme, apprentices will be paid at NHS band 5 (annex 21) pay scale:
**Year 1**: 65% of the pay band maximum of band 5

**Year 2**: 70% of the pay band maximum of band 5

**Year 3**: 75% of the pay band maximum of band 5

Throughout the apprenticeship programme, the post holder will be supported to work towards independent practice within the Audiology team. Main duties will include:

- undertaking diagnostic audiology assessments for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) patients
- participating in the provision of the routine adult hearing aid assessment, rehabilitation and aftercare service, including the direct referral service
- undertaking routine wax management procedures for Audiology patients
- taking responsibility for elements of the administrative and clerical systems that support the running of the service.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

1. To provide Audiology cover to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department clinics including masked air and bone conduction audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex testing. To discuss results with patients and their family/carer.

2. To undertake ‘Stage A’ daily calibration checks and maintain records for Audiological equipment used in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department clinics and Adult Rehabilitation clinics.

3. To arrange hearing aids for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatients Department patients as required, including initial assessment, consent, preliminary counselling, and information/test data entry into Patient Management System.

4. To participate in the routine adult hearing aid and rehabilitation service, including the direct GP referral service. To take responsibility for routine patient pathway, which includes:

- Appropriate assessment and comprehensive history taking tailored to individual patient needs
- Effectively and empathetically communicate results and expected rehabilitation benefits to patients and carers including dealing appropriately with distressed patients and those with emotional barriers to accepting their need for rehabilitation
- Analyse information gathered to plan appropriate rehabilitation strategies from a range of possible options based on individual patient needs
- Identify and arrange for appropriate onward referral if required
- Select programme and fit Hearing Aids verifying settings using Real-Ear Measurement (REM) or simulated REM
- Select and utilise appropriate outcome measure tools
- Undertake follow up and fine tuning as required
- To recognise conditions that require onward referral for additional health professional opinion/treatment and arrange as necessary.

5. To undertake hearing aid repair clinics, including replacement/repair of all models of digital hearing instrument supplied by the department.

6. To communicate effectively with people with complex communication needs, including hearing difficulties, dual sensory impairment, dementia, learning disability, English as a second language and other barriers to understanding.

7. To cover for reception staff during periods of annual leave and sickness, sometimes at very short notice.

9. To participate in the collation of weekly and monthly Departmental statistics and performance data.

10. To maintain Department records including PMS entries, stock control systems, equipment calibration and s