Job summary
The Audiology Service at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust is seeking an enthusiastic individual for the post of band 6 Audiologist to join our existing team of 31 staff which include qualified Audiologists, Associate Audiologists, Assistant Technical Officers, Newborn Hearing Screeners and Clerical Support. Our service covers three hospital sites and two out-reach clinics delivering a high-quality comprehensive hearing and balance diagnostic and rehabilitation service to adults, paediatrics and young children.
You will need to have a good understanding of Audiology with an interest in adult Audiology and vestibular assessment. The post will require you to work closely with senior colleagues and other team members to contribute both scientifically and managerially to the provision of our existing Audiology service.
Ideally you will have a first degree in Audiology or equivalent (BAA parts I and II and HNC/BTEC in MPPM) and have substantial experience as a band 5 audiologist. Study at a higher level would be advantageous to the role.
The post holder will be trust-wide and will be required to undertake clinics at both Pontefract and Pinderfields Hospital. You should also have an interest in clinical education and training as our service is closely involved with the training of students on the B.Sc Healthcare Science Audiology programmes, and with the development of staff through national apprenticeship schemes
Main duties of the job
Working autonomously, you will be required to undertake a wide range of hearing and balance assessments and undertake aural rehabilitation for patients referred to the Audiology service. The post holder will be required to utilise a high level of clinical skill and decision making and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals.
You will be required to undertake diagnostic assessments and aural rehabilitation for both adults and children with a focus on adult diagnostics and vestibular assessment, including patients with tinnitus and complex hearing needs. Professional development and supervision will be expected and supported within this advanced role.
About us
We provide care and support to over a million people in
Wakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across our
three hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront of
innovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of our
workforce.
We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectful
and maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make Mid
Yorkshire the best place to work and receive care.
We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasm
irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity and
gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation,
or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support to
someone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of the
LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currently
under-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications from
members of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure all
applicants are treated fairly and consistently.
We are proud of our staff networks - who offer valuable
guidance and feedback from those with lived experience.
We have a clear vision and you could be part of this! If
you share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of our
patients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working autonomously devise, undertake, interpret,
and report on basic and advanced audiological and diagnostic investigations on
a variety of client groups. To achieve diagnosis and care plan development
ensuring optimum patient communication and so facilitating increased social
integration.
1.1.1
Patient Assessment
Working autonomously be responsible for the audiological
care and management of patients referred from a variety of professional
groups (i.e. ENT consultants and other consultants within and outside of the
Trust, paediatric consultants primary care professionals, school nurses,
health visitors, speech and language therapists, education services, social
services and parents).
Using a holistic approach devise appropriate testing
strategies based on the subjective and objective clinical assessment of
patients from a variety of client groups, ranging from very young children to
the elderly population.
Modify diagnostic assessments to be age and developmentally
appropriate without compromising the rigour of the assessment.
Undertake a range of scientific and technically advanced
audiological assessments on patients with complex or additional needs to
achieve diagnosis and inform prognosis.
1.1.2
Clinical Reasoning
Demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise the
clinical findings from a full range of assessments (hearing and balance) applying
theory and principles to justify recommendations of outcome.
Report on diagnostic outcomes with recommended treatment
options progressing to an individualised rehabilitative care plan.
1.1.3
Aural Rehabilitation
Develop and implement effective individual aural
rehabilitation strategies to optimise patient communication abilities, enhancing
the potential for social integration and improve well-being to a variety of
client groups. These will include adults, paediatrics and neonates, of which
some may have additional needs and or barriers to understanding e.g. learning
disabilities and additional health needs.
Provide and receive complex and sensitive information regarding
hearing and prognosis in a sympathetic yet professional manner to patients/parents/guardians
and/or relatives, using appropriate motivation and communication skills to
ensure an optimum outcome.
Use appropriate prescription formulae to select and fit appropriate
NHS and custom hearing instruments and assistive listening devices to adults
and paediatrics, working to BSA protocols and BAA quality standards.
Use a variety of software and programs to verify selected
prescription formulae and hearing instruments.
Perform real ear measures on adults and paediatrics ensuring
accurate placement of the fine probe tube to BSA protocol whilst maintaining
patient comfort at all times using observation and reassurance.
Using good infection control techniques, take accurate
aural impressions on adults, paediatrics and young children, ensuring good
meatal depth by accurate and safe placement of the otostop in keeping with
professional standards.
Use medical, physical, social and audiological assessments
to select the appropriate ear mould
configuration and material e.g. allergies, manual dexterity, hearing loss and
prescription.
Electro acoustically verify instrument specification to
ensure optimum performance where appropriate.
Evaluate the effectiveness of aural rehabilitation
strategies adapting as necessary and progressing to an agreed care plan that
ensures optimum maintenance of communication.
Refer and coordinate with other relevant professional
agencies across health, education and social teams to ensure an integrated
holistic approach to patient care.
1.1.4
Documentation
Keep full and accurate clinical records (electronic and
manual) that is consistent with recognised professional and Trust standards.
Record evidence of clinical reasoning that justify
clinical decisions and outcomes.
Make full use of the departmental electronic patient
management systems where appropriate.
Share relevant information with other professionals to
facilitate a coordinated multidisciplinary approach maintaining patient
confidentiality.
1.1.5
Teaching/Advising
Teach and advise patients and carers to encourage and
facilitate informed choice in a manner sensitive to their communication
abilities including client groups with additional communication difficulties,
complex/special needs, cultures and ethnic minorities.
Facilitate and encourage parents and carers to be full and
active key members of the rehabilitation team allowing participation in decision
making to achieve an optimum outcome.
Teach and advise colleagues, trainees, undergraduates and other
disciplines aspects of Audiology as required including agencies outside the
organisation e.g. education, social services and carers.
Work collaboratively with universities and other providers
in clinical education for the Audiology PTP and apprenticeship training.
1.1.6
Clinical Standards
Using critical analysis keep abreast
of new developments recommending changes to professional/clinical practice
where appropriate.
Assess the clinical risk
involved in new practices ensuring adequate safeguards for patients and
practitioners.
Evaluate clinical standards to
ensure safe and effective practice.
Implement professional and departmental protocols and
procedures within own area of work.
Contribute to the development of and undertake clinical
audit and research and development, to evaluate the effectiveness of patient care
incorporating the lessons learned through the audit cycle.
1.1.7
Additional Clinical
Responsibilities
Plan and provide supportive rehabilitation for newly
diagnosed and existing hearing impaired children, providing audiological
support to education services and contributing to multi-disciplinary meetings.
To make judgements on the specialist needs of childrens
rehabilitation providing the appropriate hearing aids and other assistive technical
aids.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Awareness
Essential
- Knowledge of all direct referral systems to Audiology Services.
- Wide knowledge of NHS referral routes, policies and structures
- Confidentiality policies and procedures
Desirable
- Range of testing techniques to identify site of lesion testing.
Experience
Essential
- Significant theoretical and practical experience as an Audiologist in a clinical setting post qualification.
- Knowledge of MHAS/MCHAS DSP fitting strategies and protocols. Experience of dealing and managing complex hearing losses and prescription of a range of hearing instruments.
- Knowledge and skills in undertaking hearing assessments and rehabilitation in adults with hearing problems, tinnitus and balance problems.
- Ability to collate test results, report writing and offer recommendations for patient management.
Desirable
- Experience in training and assessing students.
- Advanced skills in audio/vestibular assessment and rehabilitation with
- adults and paediatrics.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Counselling skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative and make complex clinical decisions comparing a range of options.
- Computer literate
- Ability to exert moderate physical effort.
Desirable
- Supervisory and mentorship skills with junior staff and students.
- Reflective practitioner.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Audiology or BAA parts 1 & 2 with HNC in MPPM.
-
- State registered healthcare scientist/clinical scientist with the AHCS or HCPC.
Desirable
- Clinical Educators qualification.
- Study to higher level in Adult Audiology.
- CPD Portfolio.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Good time management and presentable appearance.
- Flexibility to cope with the needs of a service.
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.
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 .
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 .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Address
Pinderfields Hospital
Aberford Road
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF1 4DG