Job summary The post holder will independently carry out age appropriate behavioural and electrophysiological hearing testing and fit paediatric hearing aids to babies, children and young people (0-18 years) and work closely with the Head of Department coordinate/develop the Paediatric Audiology Service. The post holder will have an active role in the multi-disciplinary approach employed by the department and liaise closely with primary care, hospital colleagues, education and families. The post holder will have a designated project and responsibilities within the department and will take the lead role, alongside the Head of Service, in the implementation of change as the department works towards IQIPS accreditation. The post holder will assist the supervision of trainee Audiology BSc and MSc students, junior members of staff and health visitors and have an active role in the training of School nurses, medical students etc Main duties of the job To assist in the provision of a diagnostic service for the Paediatric Audiology Department, performing a full range of diagnostic audiological assessments on neonates, children and young people up to the age of 18 years old including children with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and additional disabilities or special needs. To provide aural habilitation for babies, children and young people, which includes providing counselling to distressed parents/guardians about their children's hearing loss and associated problems and make decisions about the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient in their care, seeking guidance of senior members of staff/Consultant Paediatrician where applicable. About us Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values Compassion Accountability Respect Integrity Courage We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals. Date posted 24 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum / Pro Rata Contract Bank Working pattern Part-time Reference number 265-7095674 Job locations Northampton General Hospital Northampton General Hospital Northampton NN1 5BD Job description Job responsibilities Key dutiesTo ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, using the most appropriate combinationof clinical tests, to assist in their further clinical and medical management.To provide routine and non-routine paediatric behavioural audiological assessments inconjunction with colleagues.To provide or assist in providing specialist assessment of severely learning disabled childrenand those with complex additional needs. Tests to include pure tone audiometry with boneconduction and masking, middle ear analysis, visual reinforcement audiometry, behaviouralobservation audiometry, distraction testing, play audiometry, speech audiometry and othertechniques including full range of objective measures.Analysing and explaining the results to the parents which may include breaking bad newsregarding a childs permanent hearing status.Management of babies, children and young people with hearing loss, being sensitive to thechild/parents needs, advising and helping child/parent to make decisions regarding futuremanagement and if necessary, arranging for hearing aids to be fitted.Ensuring excellent communication between all the professionals involved and the child/family.Ensuring complete documentation, reporting and correspondence together with any furthercare plan are made clear to the referrer, family, Paediatrician, HV etc.Actively monitor in conjunction with the Head of Service and the NHSP Local Coordinator ofNewborn Hearing Screen referrals and targeted follow ups and produce a monthly report onoutcomes of testing.Attend the weekly departmental clinical meeting and active participate in the discussionsaround the cases presented.Attend monthly Paediatric Audiology meetings and actively contribute to the discussions.To take comprehensive clinical histories from families and evaluate this with clinicalobservations and outcome of testing to formulate an individual action plan for each case aninitiate the appropriate onward referral and effectively correspond with primary care.To perform assessments, fitting (using real ear measurements) and evaluation of complexnon routine hearing aids and amplification devices.Record and document results on paper and electronically (Smart4Hearing & Audit basepatient management systems).Take aural impressions and modify ear moulds as required of babies, children and youngpeople.Instruct parents/carers/patients in hearing aid handling, expectations and care.Provide information on alternative sources of help and support (social services, education,voluntary organisations and hearing aid dispensers).Assessment of babies/children on their needs for non-standard hearing aids (e.g. cochlearimplants, CROS/BICROS, BAHD, vibrotactile).To maintain excellent links with other agencies and seek ways to strengthen these linksaccording to best practice.To cover community clinics and occasional home visits as the need arises.To actively promote the principles of a family friendly service by ensuring that parents andcarers are given clear and accurate information.To assist the head of service and Consultant Paediatrician with the local implementation ofnational priorities in relation to NHSP and Paediatric Audiology.Refer to/liaise with other health care professionals regarding individual patients (ENT,education, paediatrics), to ensure a holistic approach to the patient.To keep up to date with developments and ensure that appropriate changes are incorporatedinto patient care. To monitor national and international developments in the field of PaediatricAudiology, in conjunction with the Service Manager and to help develop departmental policiesto ensure that evidence-based practice is implemented.To maintain a CPD portfolio.Supervise trainee Audiology BSc and MSc students, junior members of staff, health visitors,and administration staff. Job description Job responsibilities Key dutiesTo ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, using the most appropriate combinationof clinical tests, to assist in their further clinical and medical management.To provide routine and non-routine paediatric behavioural audiological assessments inconjunction with colleagues.To provide or assist in providing specialist assessment of severely learning disabled childrenand those with complex additional needs. Tests to include pure tone audiometry with boneconduction and masking, middle ear analysis, visual reinforcement audiometry, behaviouralobservation audiometry, distraction testing, play audiometry, speech audiometry and othertechniques including full range of objective measures.Analysing and explaining the results to the parents which may include breaking bad newsregarding a childs permanent hearing status.Management of babies, children and young people with hearing loss, being sensitive to thechild/parents needs, advising and helping child/parent to make decisions regarding futuremanagement and if necessary, arranging for hearing aids to be fitted.Ensuring excellent communication between all the professionals involved and the child/family.Ensuring complete documentation, reporting and correspondence together with any furthercare plan are made clear to the referrer, family, Paediatrician, HV etc.Actively monitor in conjunction with the Head of Service and the NHSP Local Coordinator ofNewborn Hearing Screen referrals and targeted follow ups and produce a monthly report onoutcomes of testing.Attend the weekly departmental clinical meeting and active participate in the discussionsaround the cases presented.Attend monthly Paediatric Audiology meetings and actively contribute to the discussions.To take comprehensive clinical histories from families and evaluate this with clinicalobservations and outcome of testing to formulate an individual action plan for each case aninitiate the appropriate onward referral and effectively correspond with primary care.To perform assessments, fitting (using real ear measurements) and evaluation of complexnon routine hearing aids and amplification devices.Record and document results on paper and electronically (Smart4Hearing & Audit basepatient management systems).Take aural impressions and modify ear moulds as required of babies, children and youngpeople.Instruct parents/carers/patients in hearing aid handling, expectations and care.Provide information on alternative sources of help and support (social services, education,voluntary organisations and hearing aid dispensers).Assessment of babies/children on their needs for non-standard hearing aids (e.g. cochlearimplants, CROS/BICROS, BAHD, vibrotactile).To maintain excellent links with other agencies and seek ways to strengthen these linksaccording to best practice.To cover community clinics and occasional home visits as the need arises.To actively promote the principles of a family friendly service by ensuring that parents andcarers are given clear and accurate information.To assist the head of service and Consultant Paediatrician with the local implementation ofnational priorities in relation to NHSP and Paediatric Audiology.Refer to/liaise with other health care professionals regarding individual patients (ENT,education, paediatrics), to ensure a holistic approach to the patient.To keep up to date with developments and ensure that appropriate changes are incorporatedinto patient care. To monitor national and international developments in the field of PaediatricAudiology, in conjunction with the Service Manager and to help develop departmental policiesto ensure that evidence-based practice is implemented.To maintain a CPD portfolio.Supervise trainee Audiology BSc and MSc students, junior members of staff, health visitors,and administration staff. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to BSc level or equivalent level of education, training or experience. Registered or applying for RCCP/AHCS or HCPC registration. Experience Essential Qualified practitioner with NHS clinical experience as a band 5 or 6. Good knowledge of deafness in children and the impact it has on the child/family. Good knowledge and understanding of children's Safeguarding. Desirable Recent knowledge/involvement/training in the IQIPS accreditation process Skills Essential Experience /Knowledge of testing children's hearing using age appropriate techniques Ability to work calmly and methodically when under pressure from a busy and varied caseload. Have a specific interest and passion for working in a Paediatric service. Be able to relate to a wide range of babies/children and demonstrate sensitivity and show empathy Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes Essential Demonstrates the ability to interrogate hearing assessment results and formulate the best management plan for that child based on testing, history, and presentation. Able to work well within a team and independently. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to BSc level or equivalent level of education, training or experience. Registered or applying for RCCP/AHCS or HCPC registration. Experience Essential Qualified practitioner with NHS clinical experience as a band 5 or 6. Good knowledge of deafness in children and the impact it has on the child/family. Good knowledge and understanding of children's Safeguarding. Desirable Recent knowledge/involvement/training in the IQIPS accreditation process Skills Essential Experience /Knowledge of testing children's hearing using age appropriate techniques Ability to work calmly and methodically when under pressure from a busy and varied caseload. Have a specific interest and passion for working in a Paediatric service. Be able to relate to a wide range of babies/children and demonstrate sensitivity and show empathy Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes Essential Demonstrates the ability to interrogate hearing assessment results and formulate the best management plan for that child based on testing, history, and presentation. Able to work well within a team and independently. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital Address Northampton General Hospital Northampton General Hospital Northampton NN1 5BD Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)