Specialist Audiologist / Clinical Scientist in Chelmsford

Working across 3 sites in Epping, Harlow, Bishops Stortford to deliver advanced audiology care to patients. Audiology at Princess Alexandra Hospital is a training service providing paediatric and adult diagnostic services. We are a friendly team of around 20 staff and students. You will provide care for an advanced caseload, likely including electrophysiological testing for newborns. You should have either qualified as a Clinical Scientist or be working towards equivalence with one if not more Higher Training Scheme Modules complete.

Main duties of the job

• To act as a clinical expert and autonomous practitioner in specialist clinical area.
• To provide highly specialist care to paediatric and adult audiology patients with complex needs.
• Manage a delegated caseload within specialist area.
• To assess, plan and implement patient centered, evidence based interventions.
• To provide evidence-based care, education and information to patients, carers and health care professionals in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• The role includes leading and developing a team of audiologists to provide high quality clinical care.
• Provide line management and supervision to Band 5/6 audiologists, audiology assistants and administrators.
• Contribute to the training and development of audiologists and audiology assistants.
• To support the head of audiology with operational and strategic planning, deputizing, as required.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job responsibilities

• To support the implementation of clinical guidelines and patient pathways within audiology.
• Provide a highly specialist audiology service for patients of all ages using evidence based, patient centered principles to assess, implement and evaluate interventions.
• To perform advanced clinical assessments, rehabilitation and habilitation on deaf and hard of hearing patients.
• Act as an independent practitioner and be professionally accountable and responsible for aspects of own work.
• Decide priorities for own work, balance patient related and professional demands in consultation with the head of audiology and senior audiologists.
• To contribute to service development within paediatric and adult audiology.
• To contribute to identifying service needs and support service improvements.
• To support the implementation of service changes and pathway improvements.
• To provide line management for team members, including recruitment and selection, induction, monitoring sickness and absence, performance and development reviews, one to one meetings and clinical supervision.
• To be a source of clinical expertise for the team providing supervision and mentorship.
• To work alongside ENT consultants, Teachers of the Deaf and paediatricians to provide a high quality audiology service.
• Provision of expert advice on the management of patients referred to audiology due to additional complex clinical needs.
• To attend MDT meetings and safeguarding meetings as needed.
• Supervise, educate and assess the performance of students.
• To provide training, support and supervision to audiologists in paediatric and adult audiology.
• Provide relevant training to other healthcare professionals.
• Develop and implement pathways, resources and teaching materials for use by audiologists and other professions.
• Collect all the necessary data to meet local requirements for service monitoring.
• Work in conjunction with colleagues on development and implementation of local policies based on national guidance.
• To identify and undertake clinical audit.
• Maintain professional competence and expertise, keeping up to date with current research, working practices and models of working.
• Comply with professional guidelines and the AHCS/HCPC professional requirements.
• Participate in personal and professional development through objective setting and regular job review.
• As required to offer support to other clinical areas to ensure all patients are seen in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the day to day running of audiology clinics, ensuring all required resources are available to ensure the smooth running of the clinic.
• To deputise in the absence of the head of Audiology.
• To exercise proper care in the use of all clinical, office and general stocks and supplies.
• To have responsibility for team performance and ensuring a high standard of care is provided.
• To monitor and audit clinical work across the team to ensure this meets national standards for safe and effective care.
• To ensure the service meets diagnostic delivery targets.

Diagnostic Paediatric Audiology:

• To perform a variety of paediatric audiology assessments including but not limited to: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing, Visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA), tympanometry, Acoustic Reflex Thresholds (ARTs) and otoacoustics emissions testing, in line with national guidance.

Diagnostic Adult Audiology:

• To perform a variety of diagnostic assessments on adult patients including but not limited to: Pure Tone Audiometry, Tympanometry, Acoustic Reflex thresholds, Otoacoustic emissions testing in line with national guidelines.

Rehabilitation/Habilitation:

• Perform hearing aid fittings and reviews to patients of all ages in line with national guidelines.

Communications:

• Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and their carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
• To always maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of the patient and their carers.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conference when appropriate.
• Provide clear, accurate written advice in medical notes and provide clear, accurate information for onward referrals.
• To demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive audiology records and management plans in line with own professional body standards of practice.

Responsibility for Patient Care:

• Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• To ensure patient care is delivered in a consistent and evidence-based manner across the audiology service.
• Interpret and record a detailed case history from patients, medical notes and other healthcare professionals.
• Liaise with patients, family, carers, friends and other professionals as appropriate.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multiple pathologies.
• To make highly specialist multi-factorial clinical decisions following assessment of complex cases.
• Formulate and deliver effective amplification strategies based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and monitor.
• Debrief the patients/carers on the results of audiology assessments.
• Keep accurate clinical records and submit timely written reports where appropriate.
• Make onward referrals when appropriate.
• Ensure smooth transition to adult audiology services for paediatric patients.

Planning and organising:

• Effectively manage own clinical caseload balancing clinical work, non-clinical work, administration tasks and professional activities on a daily basis.
• Be responsible for the effective management of patient caseloads within the team.
• Prioritise patients according to clinical need and departmental guidelines.
• Be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of junior staff within audiology.
• Plan and organize training for carers and other health professionals where required.
• Plan and organize the service delivery including adjusting clinic rotas.
• Maintain a flexible approach to the role and develop it according to need.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Clinical Scientist Qualification or Higher Training Scheme Module, CPD Portfolio, M-Level qualifications, AHCS/HCPC Registration.
• Desirable: Leadership / management / budget qualifications.

Experience

• Essential: Auditory Brainstem Response Testing, Visual Reinforcement Audiometry, Standard Diagnostic Audiological Assessment and techniques, Adult and paediatric habilitation, Practical experience of performing a wide range of audiological tests with adults and paediatrics, Experience of supervising junior staff, Experience undertaking ABR testing, Experience of fitting paediatric hearing aids.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.