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, e.g. Pure Tone Audiometry and Impedance test. Specialised Audiometric tests e.g. Otoacoustic emissions. Behavioural audiometric tests of hearing for children e.g. 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, e.g. 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 e.g., impressions. Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness when imparting bad news e.g. sudden hearing loss or deterioration of existing hearing loss.. 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).