Job summary
We are seeking a well-motivated and proactive Audiologist to join our friendly team. The role will entail providing an Audiological Service for both adult and paediatric patients, covering Audiology and ENT clinics.
Main duties of the job
You will be a member of a team of Audiologists, providing comprehensive Audiological Services. The post holder will be primarily based at Warrington Hospital, however will also be expected to participate in peripheral clinics throughout the Warrington/Runcorn/Widnes regions. Therefore, a full UK driving licence, with access to your own car is essential. The post holder must be a strong team player, possessing excellent communication and organisational skills.
About us
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.
Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.
Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.
A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.
Our workforce of nearly 5,000 across both sites comprises more than 50 nationalities. We strive to be an equal, diverse and inclusive employer, which is recognised as a pioneer in its equality, diversity and inclusion work. The Trust is proud to have achieved numerous external accreditations and is working towards achieving the Anti-Racist Organisation Framework, recognising the importance of anti-racism in all that we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Routine diagnostic pure tone audiometry, including masking
Routine diagnostic acoustic admittance measurements
Selection, fitting and programming of digital and analogue hearing aids, in line with MHAS and departmental protocols
Taking of aural impressions and fitting ear moulds
To assess the benefit derived from hearing aids, using subjective and objective measures, including informal methods, appropriate questionnaires and insertion gain measurements
To use clinical judgement after interpreting results, to refer to appropriate medical and local support services as necessary
To record accurate results of testing in hospital and departmental records as appropriate, including: providing patient reports as necessary and ensuring that these are filed appropriately and use of Patient Management System.
Responsible for calibration of audiological equipment, on a day-to-day basis
Provides support to Clinical Educator, for training of BSc & MSc students from local universities.
Communication
To communicate effectively and courteously with patients, colleagues, public and members of the Directorate Trust.
Maintain hospital and departmental records, including provision of patient reports computer based and paper based, copy records as necessary.
To work and communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary Audiology Team
To be aware of the needs of the patient when testing, taking into account their special needs, learning difficulties, hearing impairment, when patients first language is not English
May need to use persuasion and reassurance, to ensure full understanding and to accomplish a good test response.
To liaise with senior members of Audiology, regarding the audiological test results when necessary, to ensure the effectiveness of routine services.
Able to deal with upset or angry patients, where persuasive skills are required to encourage patients to follow a specific course of action.
Dealing with occasional aggressive or unclean patients.
Receive and deal with patients enquiries, via phone call/in person, ensuring they are handled sensitively and in an appropriate professional manner.
Physical Skills
Good hand to eye coordination, dexterity and sensory skills.
Provide accurate professional advice to hearing aid repair clinics, toinclude:
Repair/replace patients hearing aids.
Otoscopic examination of patients ears, for wax etc.
Make accurate safe ear mould impressions.
Modification of patients ear moulds, using electrical equipment.
Re-tube hearing aid ear moulds.
To perform fine-tuning to hearing aids.
Calibration of audiological testing equipment: audiometer, tympanometer and general hearing aid fitting equipment.
Ability to respond to changes in patient test results, and ensure all patient documentation is kept up to date.
Safe use of expensive equipment. Observes personal duty of care, using clinical or clerical equipment.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
1. BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) or equivalent
2. Including training/experience within an NHS Audiology Department
Professional Registration
Essential
3. Registered (or working towards registration) with the RCCP/AHCS
Experience
Essential
4. Experience of working with both adults and children