Job summary This post is only open for applications for individuals employed within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System. Organisations within scope are so follows: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board Southern Health Foundation Trust Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust University Hospital Southampton Solent NHS Trust South Central Ambulance Service Isle of Wight NHS Trust Hampshire Hospitals Band 3 -£11,554 - £12,323 pro-rata per annum Part-time -18 hours per week The Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Newborn Hearing Screening Service is seeking a competent, motivated and reliable individual to work as a dedicated newborn hearing screener. This role reports directly to the Local NHSP Manager within the Audiology department. Working in a team undertaking the screening of babies in the first few days or weeks of their life, we are seeking a reliable individual with good communication skills who is at ease working with new mothers and very young babies. You should be passionate about delivering a family friendly and professional experience for parents and babies during the screening process. This post will involve direct handling of newborn babies so experience of handling babies is essential. This role will be based at Queen Alexandra Hospital, with potential for travel to clinics in Portsmouth, Gosport, Petersfield and Newport, Isle of Wight. Main duties of the job You will work as part of a team altering working patterns to accommodate the changing needs of the service, across 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with regular weekends and Bank Holidays. Flexibility is essential. The role involves the hearing screening of newborn babies using specialised equipment, and this includes collecting accurate clinical test records and undertaking data entry using computer and administrative skills. Therefore, it is essential that you have good working IT knowledge, excellent verbal and written communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail and confidentiality. The role also requires the ability to prioritise workload with constantly changing demands. As a Newborn hearing screener, you will be committed to delivering a high quality of care to meet NHSEngland quality assurance standards, local policies and procedures, to ensure the service reaches key performance indicator deadlines. If you do not already have experience in Newborn Hearing Screening it is a requirement of this post that candidates undertake relevant e-learning, external competency assessment and a work based level 3 Health Screening diploma. The Level 3 Diploma for health screeners (Newborn Hearing) qualification is a national qualification for all screening staff working within the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP). Please familiarise yourself with the full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert. About us Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff. Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. Date posted 04 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £11,554 to £12,323 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number REF1336T Job locations Southwick Hill Road Cosham PO6 3LY Job description Job responsibilities To perform the role competently without direct supervision. Liaise with medical personnel and review pertinent notes to assess whether it is appropriate to approach families. Accurately identify which babies require hearing screening and select the tests required for individual baby at the time of screen based on national protocols. To undertake routine NHSP screening tests in line with policy and to seek advice from the NHSP Local Manager or Deputy when required. Prioritise and organise workload and work in a flexible manner to ensure that the maximum number of babies are completed as inpatients. Explain the hearing screen and the test procedure to families addressing all queries raised; ensuring that families are able to make fully informed decisions and to give valid informed consent. At times, tact and persuasive skills are required to overcome barriers to understanding. It may be necessary to ascertain whether interpreters are required and to arrange appropriate interpreting facilities. To ensure that a calm, sensitive and empathetic approach is taken when dealing with new parents in potentially emotional circumstances. To maintain a professional approach to Newborn Hearing Screening when exposed to unpleasant conditions which inevitably arise when working with families shortly after the delivery of a new baby. To maintain the mental effort required to undertake numerous routine tests and procedures within a shift. At times, individual routine tests can be lengthy and may require concentration and physical effort to work in a restricted position for a prolonged period of time. Effectively and sensitively inform family of results in an honest and accurate manner as per NHSP protocol. This potentially includes imparting negative test results and then discussing the possible causes of this, the necessity for further testing and making the required referral to Audiology. Inform other relevant professionals orally and in writing of screening results and any other action required. Through parental interview, and liaison with other professionals, identify factors which may influence the requirement for targeted follow up. To accurately record clinical data obtained during the screen onto a complex National Database. Data entry contributes to Key Performance Indicator figures and nationally available records. On occasions, it may be necessary to input the screen results for other staff. Maintain and calibrate complex medical equipment and report any faults to the NHSP Local Manager or Deputy. Assess and maintain consumable stock and literature availability. To undertake local and national training to ensure a good understanding of routine NHSP test procedures and accompanying theoretical knowledge. To participate in training to strive to increase personal knowledge and to allow for equipment updates and technical advance and changes to national and local policies. If asked, to comment on proposed changes to local policy to facilitate service development. To assist the NHSP Local Manager with data collection for the purpose of audit. To demonstrate own duties to other healthcare professionals or new/less experienced staff. To participate in the training of new staff by means of supervision. To analyse situations and make judgements as to whether clearly defined protocols have been adhered to. To inform the Local NHSP Manager of any errors or process failures. To take professional responsibility for reporting concerns which fall outside the remit of a newborn hearing screener to appropriate Maternity staff. Attend meetings as designated by the NHSP Local Manager. Any other duties requested by the manager in the general scope of the post. Job description Job responsibilities To perform the role competently without direct supervision. Liaise with medical personnel and review pertinent notes to assess whether it is appropriate to approach families. Accurately identify which babies require hearing screening and select the tests required for individual baby at the time of screen based on national protocols. To undertake routine NHSP screening tests in line with policy and to seek advice from the NHSP Local Manager or Deputy when required. Prioritise and organise workload and work in a flexible manner to ensure that the maximum number of babies are completed as inpatients. Explain the hearing screen and the test procedure to families addressing all queries raised; ensuring that families are able to make fully informed decisions and to give valid informed consent. At times, tact and persuasive skills are required to overcome barriers to understanding. It may be necessary to ascertain whether interpreters are required and to arrange appropriate interpreting facilities. To ensure that a calm, sensitive and empathetic approach is taken when dealing with new parents in potentially emotional circumstances. To maintain a professional approach to Newborn Hearing Screening when exposed to unpleasant conditions which inevitably arise when working with families shortly after the delivery of a new baby. To maintain the mental effort required to undertake numerous routine tests and procedures within a shift. At times, individual routine tests can be lengthy and may require concentration and physical effort to work in a restricted position for a prolonged period of time. Effectively and sensitively inform family of results in an honest and accurate manner as per NHSP protocol. This potentially includes imparting negative test results and then discussing the possible causes of this, the necessity for further testing and making the required referral to Audiology. Inform other relevant professionals orally and in writing of screening results and any other action required. Through parental interview, and liaison with other professionals, identify factors which may influence the requirement for targeted follow up. To accurately record clinical data obtained during the screen onto a complex National Database. Data entry contributes to Key Performance Indicator figures and nationally available records. On occasions, it may be necessary to input the screen results for other staff. Maintain and calibrate complex medical equipment and report any faults to the NHSP Local Manager or Deputy. Assess and maintain consumable stock and literature availability. To undertake local and national training to ensure a good understanding of routine NHSP test procedures and accompanying theoretical knowledge. To participate in training to strive to increase personal knowledge and to allow for equipment updates and technical advance and changes to national and local policies. If asked, to comment on proposed changes to local policy to facilitate service development. To assist the NHSP Local Manager with data collection for the purpose of audit. To demonstrate own duties to other healthcare professionals or new/less experienced staff. To participate in the training of new staff by means of supervision. To analyse situations and make judgements as to whether clearly defined protocols have been adhered to. To inform the Local NHSP Manager of any errors or process failures. To take professional responsibility for reporting concerns which fall outside the remit of a newborn hearing screener to appropriate Maternity staff. Attend meetings as designated by the NHSP Local Manager. Any other duties requested by the manager in the general scope of the post. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent. Care Certificate. If you do not already have this qualification you will be required to complete it alongside your regular hours. Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners (Newborn Hearing). If you do not already have this qualification you will be required to complete it alongside your regular hours Experience Essential Experience in a demanding setting Skills and Knowledge Essential Excellent communication abilities, both spoken and written Proven record of working with people Computer literacy, with the ability to use a variety of hardware and software Awareness of the importance of prompt timekeeping and good attendance at the workplace Commitment to personal development Ability to work autonomously and under pressure Ability to manage time effectively, using initiative and paying attention to detail Desirable Knowledge and understanding of newborn screening Healthcare background Handling of newborn babies Knowledge of safeguarding procedures Experience of patient management systems Experience of multi-disciplinary team working Evidence of listening, communication and counselling skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential Maths and English GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent. Care Certificate. If you do not already have this qualification you will be required to complete it alongside your regular hours. Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners (Newborn Hearing). If you do not already have this qualification you will be required to complete it alongside your regular hours Experience Essential Experience in a demanding setting Skills and Knowledge Essential Excellent communication abilities, both spoken and written Proven record of working with people Computer literacy, with the ability to use a variety of hardware and software Awareness of the importance of prompt timekeeping and good attendance at the workplace Commitment to personal development Ability to work autonomously and under pressure Ability to manage time effectively, using initiative and paying attention to detail Desirable Knowledge and understanding of newborn screening Healthcare background Handling of newborn babies Knowledge of safeguarding procedures Experience of patient management systems Experience of multi-disciplinary team working Evidence of listening, communication and counselling skills 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. Employer details Employer name Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Address Southwick Hill Road Cosham PO6 3LY Employer's website https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)