We would welcome job share applications for this role.
We're looking for an ambitious individual to be part of our Paediatric Audiology team, taking the next steps in developing great community services and ensuring that everything we do is based around our aim of quality first and foremost.
This job is an excellent opportunity for an audiologist with an interest in Paediatrics wanting to gain more knowledge and progress to a senior Paediatric position. The service is being delivered from dedicated and purpose-built Paediatric audiology suites in Warrington.
The applicant must have good knowledge of Paediatric Audiology Hearing Assessments. Experience must have been obtained from working within the NHS. The applicant is expected to be progressing within their career and aspiring to increase their skills and expertise in the field.
The successful candidate will have a BSc and/or MSc in Audiology (or equivalent) and will have RCCP registration with relevant post-qualification experience.
This is a great opportunity to join an excellent department fully equipped with the latest equipment.
The work is community-based; therefore, it is essential that the successful candidate is able to travel between our 2 sites to meet the requirements of the role.
We are a friendly, forward-thinking department. We actively encourage and support further educational development, attendance at courses/conferences.
Main duties of the job
Job Purpose
To be a member of a multidisciplinary team providing a comprehensive and integrated community Paediatric Audiology service for babies, children, and young adults.
To develop paediatric audiology skills progressing from a band 5 paediatric audiologist to a band 6 senior paediatric audiologist on achievement of competencies.
Work both as a team and autonomously to manage own clinics and individual workload.
Complete specialist work which includes:
1. Comprehensive testing and diagnostic assessments of hearing.
2. In-depth knowledge of paediatric test protocols and assessment techniques.
3. Manage hearing loss in infants and children.
4. Carry out basic hearing aid maintenance including retubing/impressions.
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 our NHS services in your local community.
They help us deliver our mission to improve local health and promote wellbeing in the communities we serve.
After all, values are about people and they were created in partnership with our staff to reflect what they felt was important to them.
Here at Bridgewater, our shared values flow through the organisation.
P- Person-centred - We are passionate about individual needs and promote 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 relationships based on trust, openness, honesty, and respect.
P- Professional - We support our people, so everyone has the right skills and training to deliver outstanding patient care.
L- Locally Lead - We are always learning about our communities and show great pride in being a local provider of health and care.
E- Efficient - We use our resources wisely to provide sustainable 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.
As part of an audiology team, carry out daily clinical work, managing own clinics and individual workload.
Complete specialist work which includes comprehensive testing and diagnostic assessments of hearing, in-depth knowledge of paediatric test protocols, and assessment techniques.
Be responsible for the supervision and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students on audiology courses.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Perform diagnostic assessment of the hearing of children and analyse the results.
2. Perform pure tone audiometry, using air conduction and bone conduction.
3. Test pre-school children via Distraction testing, Visual reinforcement, audiometry - VRA, Performance testing, Manchester picture testing, Speech testing, Testing of middle ear function using tympanometry, OAE's.
4. Complete audiological testing of babies that are referred following their Newborn hearing screen, using Otoacoustic emissions - OAEs to detect cochlear function.
5. Carry out Otoscopy following BSA recommended procedures. Be able to identify normal and abnormal ears. Identifies any contraindications for any further procedures e.g., tympanometry and impressions.
6. To arrange and advise referral to other professionals for treatment and management when required e.g., referral to ENT nurse or GP for treatment of an infection.
7. Take accurate and safe impressions of the ear following BSA recommended procedures for impression taking. Perform Otoscopy to identify any contraindications.
8. Carry out routine maintenance and calibration checks on audiological equipment, reporting faults and arranging for repair when necessary.
9. Works as an independent practitioner when carrying out hearing tests in clinic.
10. Maintains accurate recording of results and updates patient records. Write reports to allied hearing professionals when required.
11. Performs correct and valid use of diagnostic and assessment equipment and specialised audiological computer software. Updates national S4H database with results of hearing tests following referral from neonatal hearing screening team.
Communication
To communicate effectively and courteously with patients, colleagues, public and members of the Directorate and Trust.
Maintain departmental records, including provision of patient reports as necessary.
To work and communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary Audiology team.
Ability to explain to children what they are required to do when performing hearing tests, 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, carers and children of all ages. Able to communicate complex technical information in a meaningful manner. Adapting instructions and tests to children of different ages and special needs.
Demonstrates reassurance and persuasive skills to gain a child's confidence for invasive procedures e.g., impressions.
Demonstrates 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.
Maintains strict confidentiality at all times.
Maintains professional standards and protocols without supervision.
Works in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and complies with Trust policies and audiological protocols.
Ensures 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.
To maintain registration with the RCCP.
Takes part in both professional and departmental meetings.
Information and Data Responsibilities
To maintain thorough data and record-keeping of patient sessions. Ensure appropriate archiving of data onto computer record systems.
Maintain systems to monitor documentation including recording and storing all relevant information ensuring it is securely held and can be accessed easily.
Training
Carries out training and supervision of degree students. Assesses student's clinical competencies both practically and verbally and signs off achieved targets.
Designs learning targets for and with the student to help them to fulfil their learning objectives.
Complete tutorial sessions with the students.
Responsible for maintaining own workload, prioritising referrals and planning work for junior staff. Plans day-to-day duties and routine clinics. Ensures reviews and follow-up appointments are booked within recommended time periods.
Demonstrates flexibility to meet the needs of special needs children, and interchange test procedures based on the needs of the child.
Demonstrates flexibility to complete urgent referrals and provide hearing aid replacement/repairs on a non-appointment basis.
Organises testing in outreach clinics and schools, ensuring all necessary portable equipment is available.
Collaborates with Clinical Lead and Clinical Manager to ensure an efficient and effective Audiology department.
Monitors stock and liaises with the team if replacements are needed.
This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the post-holder to meet the changing needs of the organisation.
Person Specification
Job Specific Requirements
Essential
* BSc Audiology, MSc Audiology or equivalent e.g. BTEC in MPPM, BAAT Parts 1 and 2 and HNC MPPM
* Registered with RCCP
* The ability to travel independently across the Trust
* The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Flexibility over location/pattern of work
* Able to travel to peripheral clinics throughout Warrington and to travel across the wider Trust footprint to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
* British Sign language level one - BSL
Additional Questions
Essential
* Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship?
* If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship:
Qualifications
Essential
* BSc Audiology, MSc Audiology or equivalent e.g. BTEC in MPPM, BAAT Parts 1 and 2 and HNC MPPM
* Registered with RCCP
Experience
Essential
* NHS experience to include at least one year's practice in a paediatric audiology department carrying out paediatric tests and assessments.
* Experience in managing infants and children with hearing loss.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Excellent team player.
* Experience in audit.
* Excellent IT skills.
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Flexible approach to work with a positive attitude.
* Able to work under pressure.
* Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
Desirable
* Experience in audits and introduction of service developments.
* Experience of training and development of junior members of staff, and BSc and MSc university students on clinical placement.
* British Sign language level one - BSL.
* ECDL qualification.
Employer details
Employer name
Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Child Development Centre
Sandy Lane
Orford
Warrington
WA2 9HY
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
C9835-WC24-076c #J-18808-Ljbffr