Norfolk Deaf Association (operating as Hear for Norfolk) is dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages with all degrees of hearing loss and related conditions. This is achieved by providing a range of holistic and accessible services: hearing assessments and fitting of hearing aids, hearing aids maintenance, otoscopy screening, aural care using microsuction, emotional support, information, advice, and training.
Our service users identify us as the key provider of healthcare services for people with hearing loss.
We are expanding our Adult Audiology Service and are now seeking a qualified, experienced and registered Audiology professional with a passion for quality and patient-centric care to join our forward-thinking charity and help develop further our Audiology Service. There's never been a better time to become part of the team as there is now an opportunity to get involved in taking this service to the next stage by increasing the number of community-based mobile clinics and work towards IQIPS accreditation. If you are a caring individual, enthusiastic and motivated about providing the best care to our patients then this could be the opportunity for you! We are looking for a conscientious, hard-working, professional, and motivated individual. You will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, be able to work independently and as part of a team and also be able to manage your caseload.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be a key member of our Adult Audiology Service team carrying out all aspects of routine audiological procedures ranging from diagnostic testing to adult rehabilitation with hearing aids and assistive listening devices, and associated follow-ups and repairs.
The postholder will work closely with the Operations Manager, who oversees the Hearing Support Service and has the responsibility for the provision of the aftercare.
It is crucial that the post holder works within their sphere of competence and knowledge in relation to Adult hearing pathways. The post holder will work within a range of procedures and pathways in which they have experience to ensure a streamlined care plan is provided for patients/carers and their families.
About us
We are dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing, communication, and the overall quality of life of people with hearing loss and related conditions.
Our multi-disciplinary team of qualified, professional and experienced staff and dedicated volunteers are committed to our values:
Inclusivity - we believe in making our services available and accessible to anyone who needs them. We believe in staff having the ownership of the services we provide and be empowered to proactively make improvements in their areas of work.
Integrity - we believe in treating people with respect, being open, honest and trustworthy. We believe in transparency, accountability, recognising our limitations and in strict adherence to confidentiality.
Responsiveness - we believe in a safe, timely, effective, efficient and flexible modus operandi. We believe in responding promptly to the changes in need of our service users, as well as the changes required within the organisation to ensure we maintain a high-quality provision.
Resourcefulness - we believe in finding effective solutions to solve problems, in assessing the need to enable us to find a way to help. We believe in planning in accordance with resources available, working as a team and in a collaborative way with other organisations.
Free car parking on site.
Job responsibilities
1. To deliver Adult Audiology Service, ensuring that all patients are assessed accurately, and by the most suitable combination of clinical assessments, to include:
* Taking of clinical histories from patients or their carers
* Clinical interview to assess hearing and communication needs
* Full otoscopy
* Audiometric testing, including measurements of pure-tone air and bone conduction thresholds including masking
* Assessment of current activity restrictions and participatory limitations - using a formal validated self-report instrument The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP)
* Assessment of loudness discomfort levels
* Integration of assessment findings with service user expectations
* Development of a personalised care plan
1. To provide and fit a range of digital hearing aids, where clinically appropriate and agreed with the patient, including aural impression taking, fitting and adjustments where appropriate.
2. To provide appropriate hearing rehabilitation, for example service user information and how to access services such as hearing support.
3. To provide Information on and signposting to any relevant communication/social support services.
4. To record results on to patient management system and report writing to referring clinicians within the commissioning body set timescales.
5. To carry out follow-up appointment to assess whether needs have been met.
6. To assist with the development and delivery of the service in line with organisational business and service development plans, meeting the agreed targets and key performance indicators.
7. To support the Head of Clinical Services with ensuring that the service is compliant with the applicable National Standards (i.e. NICE, BAA), works towards and achieves the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) Accreditation Standards and is delivered in line with organisational policies, procedures and protocols.
8. To have the ability to make decisions about the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient in their care. This includes those with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and additional disabilities or special needs.
9. To provide support with the scheduling of clinic dates, locations and staffing required to run the clinics.
10. To assist the Head of Clinical Services and the Operations Manager with liaising with Hearing Aids suppliers and with keeping control of hearing aids stock and consumables, as and when necessary.
11. In conjunction with the Operations Manager, to provide the aftercare service for up to five years, including advice, maintenance and review at fifth year.
12. To demonstrate excellent communication skills with report writing and recording of notes on the patient management system.
13. To maintain patient safety through consistent compliance with organisational policies for hand hygiene, infection control and reporting of notifiable conditions.
14. To work closely with senior management, interdisciplinary teams and other stakeholders in order to develop, implement and evaluate services, activities and functions.
15. In conjunction with colleagues, to undertake marketing and development activities for the service.
16. To provide timely information to the Head of Clinical Services and/or Chief Executive in readiness for inclusion into management reports for the Board, commissioners, stakeholders and in support of organisational income generation programme, as required.
17. To support the team with the production of publications and marketing materials for all services.
18. To be available to assist in other areas of the Charity's work as needs arise.
Person Specification
Experience
* Minimum of 6 months clinical experience post-qualification
* Appropriate experience in testing, assessing, prescribing, fitting digital hearing aids and providing aftercare
* Experience of organising and prioritising own workload
* Experience of working as part of a team
* Experience of supporting patients with complex needs e.g. Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, Challenging behaviours
* Experience of implementing national quality standards
Qualifications
* BSc in Audiology or the equivalent professional qualification (ONC/HNC BTEC in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurements with a Professional Qualification in Audiology (BAAT Part I and II)
* Or
* Foundation Degree (FDSc) in Hearing Aid Audiology
* Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist in Audiology
Skills and knowledge
* Ability to use audiology databases, audiometric equipment & hearing aid manufacturers' software
* Ability to perform audiological assessments including: full history taking, use of questionnaires, Pure Tone Audiometry and Tympanometry. diagnosis of a range of hearing conditions relating to adults.
* Ability to independently undertake routine hearing aid selection, fitting and verification of hearing aids.
* Competent IT skills e.g. word processing, email, databases
* Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating factual information to patients / carers
* Knowledge and understanding of general responsibilities related to patient information and record keeping
* Evidence of the ability to formulate treatment plans and record outcome measures for routine patients
* Understanding of the principles of governance
* Evidence of professional development and knowledge
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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