Apprentice Audiologist

Job summary

The role involves direct contact with the college providing audiology training. Additionally, Audiologistapprentices function with supervision in the audiology department and when ready, they function autonomously, accepting direct referrals from primary and secondary care for adults and children. They will plan, coordinate and conduct diagnostic and rehabilitative regimes, noting and acting on the need for onward referral for medical and other professional opinion as part of individual care plans.They will continue to access audiological education and gain experience and will plan to undertake further education (such as top-up audiology courses) to facilitate competence and practice.

Interview date: Tuesday 9th July 2024

Main duties of the job

Liaise with the college providing audiology training and respect their timetable and deadlines for competencies submissions. On adults and older children plan and undertake diagnostic audiological procedures unsupervised and recommend appropriate courses of action on a direct referral basis where appropriate.Analysis, assessment and interpretation of a broad spectrum of adult diagnostic and rehabilitation. Manage rehabilitative patient caseloads utilising care plans on a direct referral basis where appropriate. Selection of adult hearing aid prescription and hearing aid systems relevant to patients individual audiological requirements. Ensure maximum effectiveness of hearing aid systems meeting individual patient a patient requires more than your scope of practice, to notice and make appropriate onward (or internal) referrals. To develop your own skills and knowledge by working with senior audiology staff when they take on aspects

About us

Working as a social enterprise offers Chime staff, as owners, the unique opportunity to not only improve their own working environment but to also have significant input into how audiology services are delivered locally. We have the freedom to optimise use of our budget for our patients in a way that ensures the highest quality of service that has longevity in providing audiology services free at the point of delivery for patients of all ages into the future. Chime is passionate about delivering an efficient and innovative service to patients, and looks forward to expanding the team with audiologists who share this vision and our values.

We can offer:

A commitment to your professional development.

The chance to work with a vibrant team in the great location of Exeter.

A friendly and supportive team.

Membership of Perkbox offering a broad range of discounts and as part of the NHS, our staff is eligible for the Bluelight discount card.

Free life insurance.

NHS Pension.

The opportunity to become part of our employee engagement group contributing to the development of the service.

The opportunity to work at a centre of excellence for Paediatric Services and Balance Services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication & Relationship SkillsKnowledge Training & ExperienceAnalytical & Judgement skillsContinuous interaction with adults with hearing impairment and with children and their parents, relatives and carers.Communication of test results or other technical information to patients, parents, relatives and carers, including patients who may have physical or learning disabilities, dementia or who may be seriously/terminally ill.Explanations of results and rehabilitation strategies in patient friendly and sensitive way Presentation of relevant audiological information to other professionals Will refer to line manager or other professional where appropriate.GCSE in English and mathBAAT 1 & II professional theory and competence examinations In-house continuous training and experienceUndertakes specific audiological diagnostic testing on adults and children (over approx. 3 years of age).Analysis, assessment and interpretation of broad spectrum of adult rehabilitation, adult and child diagnostic testing Determination and ongoing assessment of adult hearing aid prescriptions and monitoring of effectiveness, re-evaluating where appropriate.Selection of hearing devices and ancillary items relevant to patients individual audiometric profile. Referral for specialist audiological testing and/or referral to other healthcare professionals where judged appropriate.Determining the reason for erroneous clinical test results within above disciplines Planning and adapting of treatment plans for adults.Apprentice Audiologist Issue/approval date: May-22 Version number: Status: Approved Next review date: Jun-23 Page 4Planning & Organisational Skills Physical SkillsResponsibility for Patient / Client CareResponsibility for policy / servicedevelopmentResponsibility for Financial and Physical ResourcesResponsibility for Human ResourcesResponsibility for Information ResourcesResponsibility for Research & DevelopmentFreedom to ActPhysical EffortPlanning and adapting test regimes for adults.Planning and prioritising own duties and clinics.Performing the following on adults: Accurate and precise hearing testing using variety of techniques Taking earmould impressions Inserting Probe Microphones into ears of adult patients to the depth of the tympanic membrane. Fitting and fine tuning of digital hearing aids Equipment Calibration Dexterity, hand eye co-ordination and sensory skills for adjustment of earmoulds and hearing devices. Manipulation of materials requiring high degree of precisionProvides clinical technical servicesUndertakes, screens, interprets audiological diagnostic tests for adults and children if in an ENT clinic. Provides adult rehabilitation, advice and support.Part of team delivering: A clinical audiology service including GP, HV, Paediatrician, SALT and school nurse Direct Referrals, Secondary referrals from other hospital consultants Follows departmental and National protocols. Assists in development of local service policy. Involved in instigation of Modernised Hearing Aid Services for digital hearing aid provision for adults.Maintains and is responsible for security of own hearing aid stock (£7K)Regularly assists with departmental stock auditsResponsible for the safe use of expensive or highly complex equipment with patientsNoneDaily requirement to input audiological data into AuditBase computer system Occasional database activity for audit/research purposes Records personally generated clinical observationsInvolved in gathering data for multi-centre trials as required.Occasionally participates in R&D in Audiology, which will have a national impact on Audiology within the NHS.Acts independently within professional guidelines and will refer to Line Manager, mentor, supervisor and/or other healthcare professionals when appropriate. Will discuss results with patients, relatives and carers and agree treatment plans for general audiology. Works autonomously when ready to do so.Frequent requirement for sitting or standing in restricted position Occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for short periods assisting elderly patients into/out of chairs, Sitting to perform otoscopy, impression taking, and REM measurements on adults.Moving of audiological equipment for service at 16 locality clinicsCarrying heavy equipment for domiciliary visitsKeyboard use for report writing Apprentice Audiologist Issue/approval date: May-22 Version number: Status: Approved Next review date: Jun-23 Page 5Mental EffortEmotional EffortWorking ConditionsConstant requirement for concentration, such as in testing hearing (adults and children), dispensing hearing aids, particularly to difficult hearing losses, and analysis of clinical results.Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstancesProviding a clinical service to patients with mental illness or challenging behaviour, personal rehabilitative counselling in adults rehabilitation. May work with patients who are upset or terminally ill, or those with physical, learning difficulties or dementia. Imparting news on hearing prognosis to adults, parents, relatives and carers.Exposure to unpleasant working conditions Prolonged VDU useDealing with aggressive or distressed patients or relativesUsing noisy and dusty machinery for earmould modification. Exposure to unclean patients incontinence in the very elderly and young,discharging ears, unhygienic earmoulds, head lice, MRSA or other biological hazard.In locality clinics, frequently attempting audiological procedures in non-soundproof conditions, often in cramped conditions with lack of ventilation or natural daylight for long periods of time.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE grade A-C English and Maths. Able to demonstrate a good command of the English language.

Experience

Essential

Ability to remain calm and able to work in a busy environment. Ability to work as part of an effective team. Ability to communicate with members of the public and staff in other professions. No experience in audiology required.

Other Requirements

Essential

Flexibility in approach to work. Commitment to developing clinical skills and experience in line with departmental needs. To keep abreast of clinical developments within the department to ensure standards of service are maintained and enhanced. To develop IT skills to keep abreast of changes Within clinical audiology and administration within the department.

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