Paediatric Audiologist

Job summary

Weare seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Audiologist to join our busyPaediatric Audiology Department that provides a comprehensive audiology servicefor the paediatric population of Halton, St Helens & Knowsley. It isexpected that you would assist in carrying out all the necessary work relatedto behavioural assessment, and rehabilitation of babies and children withhearing loss from 0-18 years. This post would be suited to a newly qualifiedaudiologist looking to pursue a career in paediatric audiology. No paediatricexperience is necessary as full training will be provided. The applicant mustbe registered or working towards registration with RCCP

This is a great opportunity to join an excellent departmentwith purpose built audiology suites fully equipped with the latest audiologyequipment. The audiology team is highly motivated and very friendly.

The work is community based; thereforeit is essential that the successful candidate is able to travel throughout theorganisation to meet the requirements of the role.

We are forward thinking department. We actively encourage and support furthereducational development, attendance at courses and conferences.

Main duties of the job

To be a member of a Multidisciplinary Team providing a comprehensive and integrated Community Service of Paediatric Audiology for babies, children and young adults.

To work closely with doctors and senior audiologists in clinics, performing a range of clinical tests and procedures for patients aged 0 to 18 years of age as appropriate. To prepare clinic rooms ready for testing including the necessary calibration checks of equipment. To maintain accurate and confidential patient records in line with department and Trust policies, this may involve inputting data from clinical test results. Responsible for keeping a check on stock levels in order to maintain sufficient supplies of Audiology materials.

Assist more senior Audiologists in the operational management and administration of the department.

About us

Flexible working will be considered for all roles.

Unfortunately, we do not hold a sponsor licence for working Visas.

At Bridgewater, our PEOPLE values shape how we deliver ourNHS services in your local community.

They help us deliver our mission to improve local health andpromote wellbeing in the communities we serve.

After all, values are about people and they werecreated in partnership with our staff to reflect what they felt was importantto them

Here at Bridgewater our shared values flow through the organisation.

P - Person-centred-We are passionate about individual needs andpromote independence in the healthcare we provide..

E - Empowered- We empower our people and encourage new ideas to deliver and create improvements in community care.

O - Open and Honest -We behave in a way that develops relationshipsbased on trust, openness, honesty and respect.

P - Professional-We support our people, so everyone has the rightskills and training to deliver outstanding patient care.

L - Locally Lead -We are always learning about our communities andshow great pride in being a local provider of health and care.

E - Efficient -We use our resources wisely to providesustainable and value for money healthcare for our patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

To be a member of a Multidisciplinary Team providing a comprehensive and integrated Community Service of Paediatric Audiology for babies, children and young adults.

Duties and Responsibilities

To work closely with senior audiologists in clinics, performing a range of clinical tests and procedures for patients aged 0 to 18 years of age as appropriate (see clinical). To prepare clinic rooms ready for testing including the necessary calibration checks of equipment. To maintain accurate and confidential patient records in line with department and Trust policies, this may involve inputting data from clinical test results. Responsible for keeping a check on stock levels in order to maintain sufficient supplies of Audiology materials.

Assist more senior Audiologists in the operational management and administration of the department.

Clinical:

Be able to carry out routine audiometric assessment for children above the age of four years with no other medical problems. Assist with the more specialised tests, and with younger and more difficult to test children in clinics and in special schools. Assist in hearing aid clinics. Carry out urgent hearing aid repairs.

Main clinical responsibilities:

Comprehensive pre-session preparation of the clinic. Equipment calibration and safety checks.

Maintain a high level of order and tidiness in the clinical area.

Otoscopy examination of ears and the ability to recognise and identify simple and common pathologies of the ear canal, ear drum and middle ear which may have contraindications to a course of action, test or treatment.

General Audiometric tests, Pure Tone Audiometry and Impedance test. Specialised Audiometric tests Otoacoustic emissions. Behavioural audiometric tests of hearing for children Distraction testing, Performance testing, Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) and Speech Discrimination Tests. Hearing aid assessment, evaluation, verification and repair including, Impression taking, Hearing aid test box measurement, Ear mould modification, REM and RECD measurements, Hearing aid questionnaires.

Identify the need for and make further appointments for patients as required.

All procedures carried out should be in accordance to agreed policies and procedures written by BSA, MCHAS, NHSP, the trust and the department.

At all times strict hygiene procedures should be maintained when dealing with test equipment, hearing aid appliance, aural impression, or toys that have been in contact with patients.

Operational Management and Administration:

Assist senior Audiologists in the operational management and administration of the department as appropriate.

Hearing aid postal repair duties to include checking, testing, fault finding and guarantee checking of faulty hearing aids and processing of ear moulds.

Carrying out regular stock takes.

Receiving and registering new hearing aids for stock entry. Take telephone enquiries from patients, parents/carers, health and education professionals and give advice as appropriate.

Communication

Work and communicate effectively and courteously with patients, colleagues, public and members of the directorate and the trust Maintain hospital and departmental records, including provision of patient reports as necessary To work and communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team Ability to adapt communication in order to instruct infants and children, including those with complex needs, during behavioural hearing assessment using appropriate language Able to use tact and persuasion where barriers to understanding exist, very young children, children with learning difficulties and the un-cooperative child. Communicate effectively with deaf and hard of hearing patients and families. Able to communicate complex technical information in a meaningful manner. Demonstrate reassurance and persuasive skills to gain a child's confidence for invasive procedures , impressions. Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness when imparting bad news sudden hearing loss or deterioration of existing hearing loss.

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Professional

Active participant in Trust research projects involving children with hearing loss. Maintain strict confidentiality at all times. Maintain professional standards and protocols without supervision. Work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and complies with Trust policies and audiological protocols. Ensure continuing professional development. Develops and maintains in depth knowledge of paediatric test protocols, is well informed about changes to current practice and able to implement new recommended procedures following appropriate training. Maintain registration with the RCCP Take part in both professional and departmental meetings.

Information and Data Responsibilities

1. Maintain thorough record-keeping of patient records and ensure appropriate archiving of data as per Trust policy.

2. Maintain systems to monitor documentation including recording and storing all relevant information ensuring it is securely held and can be accessed easily.

3. Record accurately and timely all patient records including test results and journal entries in accordance with departmental record keeping procedures, including the use of the electronic patient management system (Auditbase) and the national newborn hearing screening database (S4H).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

BSc Degree in Audiology or equivalent HNC/BAAT I & II Registered or working towards one of the following (or eligible for registration): HCPC as a Clinical Scientist RCCP as a Clinical Physiologist AHCS as a Healthcare Scientist

Additional Criteria

Essential

The ability to travel independently across the Trust and to other boroughs. The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs. Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable), please state this on your application form.

Desirable

If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship in your application form.

Experience

Essential

Basic knowledge of audiological testing and assessments including hearing aid fitting and patient management

Desirable

Basic knowledge of paediatric audiology tests Experience in NHSP

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Basic computing skills including use of Patient Management Systems Auditbase Flexible approach to work with a positive attitude Good time management Good team player Good communication skills Reliable and punctual

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