Job summary
Are you passionate about improving the education, training and support for staff within newborn hearing screening? Are you keen and motivated to develop others using a variety of learning strategies?
If so, then we would like to hear from you.
We are looking for an experienced hearing screener with a high level of competence to take the lead on our in house education and training programme for Newborn Hearing Screening.
You will combine your passion for excellence with your clinical expertise to support staff on their journey from the External Competency Assessment ECA through to completion of the Health Screener Diploma (HSD).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead on the in house education and training programme within Newborn Hearing Screening across the Trust.
The post holder will be responsible for influencing the quality of the clinical learning environment by providing support, educational input and development activities for new and existing newborn hearing screeners.
This will also entail developing training materials for the Health Screener Diploma and fully preparing and mentoring learners through completion of the External Competency Assessment (ECA) and the Level 3 Health Screener Diploma (HSD).
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
To offer parents of all eligible babies the Newborn Hearing Screen whilst ensuring maximum number of inpatient babies receive a hearing screen by working flexibly where necessary.
To maintain confidentiality of the babies and their families at all times.
To answer any concerns parents may have prior to the screen being undertaken and communicate results in a sensitive and timely manner.
To ensure the hearing screening programme is carried out as per national and local protocols.
To demonstrate a high level of competence in screening practice.
To promote the principles of a family friendly service by ensuring that parents and carers are given clear and accurate information regarding the hearing screening programme at all times.
To establish and maintain effective methods of communication to ensure that screening outcomes are delivered correctly to the parents, primary care teams, other Newborn Hearing Screening Teams where appropriate and Audiology Services where follow-up is indicated.
To ensure all administrative and clinical information including test results are accurately recorded on the record sheets, the screening equipment databases and in the S4H database.
To maintain sufficient supplies of consumables and any other stock/non-stock items required by the programme and make sure that the working environment is clean and tidy.
To ensure equipment is safe, clean, set up, checked and that documentation is kept up-to-date in accordance with local protocols reporting any equipment faults immediately to the Programme Manager / Operational Lead.
To investigate complaints, as delegated by the Programme Manager / Operational Lead. This may involve handling sensitive interpersonal situation.
To sit in on working groups to contribute to future strategies and development of the service.
To support the monitoring of compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements.
Training / Education Responsibilities
To lead on the delivery of the Health Screener Diploma (HSD) and External Competency Assessment (ECA) for all new hearing screeners across the Trust within national timeframes.
To be the trainer and mentor to all new NHSP staff, providing initial training on screening devices, intermediate software and national database.
To develop and oversee a local training programme for screeners that meets national recommendations.
To ensure learners are appropriately supervised and assessed and have an effective learning experience.
To monitor compliance with Trust Mandatory training for NHSP Staff across the Trusts Hospitals site, providing the Programme Manager with regular reports on non-compliance and relevant action plans.
To provide support and guidance for NHSP Staff across the Trusts Hospitals sites with Trust mandatory training, alerting staff to new communication and/or requirements including addressing and resolving matters of non-compliance and / or inaccuracy of records.
To develop and share users friendly guides to facilitate NHSP staff access to e-learning platforms and training tools and records.
To assist in setting objectives and reviewing performance of staff, identifying individual training and development needs and promote continued personal and professional development.
To assist in delivering presentations at screening training programmes for midwives, health care assistants, paediatricians and NICU staff.
To assess and ensure the specialist education and training needs required for self and others are identified and implemented.
Research and Development Responsibilities
To assist the Programme Manager in the implementation of upgrades and developments of the national database including the evaluation of new screening devices across the Trusts hospital sites, delivering relevant training to all users.
To carry out administrative functions and data quality checks including failsafe as delegated by the Operational Lead.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification or relevant experience
2. Evidence of ongoing study and personal / professional development
3. Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) Clinical Competence Workshop with associated Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) / External Competency Assessment (ECA)
Desirable
4. Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement or working towards gaining qualification
Experience
Essential
5. Significant experience of working as a Newborn Hearing Screener
6. Experience in the delivery of NHSP Education and Training
7. Effective time management with an ability to prioritise workloads
Desirable
8. Evidence of mentorship, supervision and co-ordination of staff
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
9. Highly competent in the screening of newborns
10. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
11. Ability to work on own initiative / autonomy
12. High level of attention to detail
13. Knowledge of NHSP Pathways and Protocols
Desirable
14. Ability to design and deliver training programmes
Personal Qualities
Essential
15. Ability to reflect on and critically appraise the performance of self and others
16. Able to manage stress in time pressured working environment