Audiologist in Norwich

Hear for Norfolk is dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages with all degrees of hearing loss and hearing related conditions. This is achieved by providing a range of holistic and accessible services: hearing assessments and fitting of hearing aids, hearing aids maintenance, otoscopy screening, aural care using microsuction, emotional support, information, advice, and training. Our service users identify us as the key provider of healthcare services for people with hearing loss.

We are seeking a qualified, experienced and registered Audiologist with a passion for quality and patient-centric care to join our forward-thinking charity and help develop further our Audiology Service. If you are a caring individual, enthusiastic and motivated about providing the best care to our patients then this could be the opportunity for you. We are looking for a conscientious, hard working, professional and motivated individual. Working hours can be arranged to suit the applicant/s. The number of hours is flexible, so we envisage that some applicants may offer to work for us one or two days per week, and retain some of their existing NHS job, for example. We are looking to recruit to a full-time equivalent position, however the 37.5 hours per week can be covered by more than one person. Training and clinical supervision will be provided.

Main duties of the job:

• To deliver Audiology Service, ensuring that all patients are assessed accurately, and by the most suitable combination of clinical assessments, to include:

• Taking of clinical histories from patients or their carers
• Clinical interview to assess hearing and communication needs
• Full otoscopy
• Audiometric testing, including measurements of pure-tone air and bone conduction thresholds including masking
• Assessment of current activity restrictions and participatory limitations - using a formal validated self-report instrument The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) and Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI)
• Assessment of loudness discomfort levels
• Integration of assessment findings with service user expectations
• Development of a personalised care plan

Person Specification:

Qualifications

• Essential: BSc in Audiology or the equivalent professional qualification (ONC/HNC BTEC in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurements with a Professional Qualification in Audiology (BAAT Part I and II) or Foundation Degree (FDSc) in Hearing Aid Audiology. Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist in Audiology or registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) voluntary register as an Audiologist. Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties.
• Desirable: Evidence of continuing personal development (CPD).

Knowledge, Skills & Personal attributes

• Essential: Knowledge and understanding of general responsibilities related to patient information and record keeping. Evidence of the ability to formulate treatment plans and record outcome measures for routine patients. Evidence of professional development and knowledge. Ability to use audiology databases, audiometric equipment & hearing aid manufacturers' software. Ability to perform audiological assessments including: full history taking, use of questionnaires, Pure Tone Audiometry and Tympanometry, diagnosis of a range of hearing conditions. Ability to independently undertake routine hearing aid selection, fitting and verification of hearing aids. Competent IT skills e.g. word processing, email, databases. Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating factual information to patients/carers. Displays care, compassion, sensitivity and responsiveness to other people's feelings and needs. Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate appreciating the value of diversity in the workplace. Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation and with patients and their carers. Commitment to improving clinical practice and the delivery of evidence-based patient focused care. Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload. A positive and flexible attitude to change and development in the service. Able to respond to the changing needs of the patient in an appropriate and timely manner. Highly motivated and reliable. Demonstrates values consistent with those of the charity. Has a high level of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct.
• Desirable: Understanding of the principles of governance. Knowledge of using standard patient management systems.

Experience

• Essential: Minimum of 6 months clinical experience post-qualification. Appropriate experience in testing, assessing, prescribing, fitting digital hearing aids and providing aftercare. Experience of organising and prioritising own workload. Experience of working as part of a team.
• Desirable: Experience of supporting patients with complex needs e.g. Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, Challenging behaviours. Experience of implementing national quality standards.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer name: Norfolk Deaf Association (NDA) operating as Hear for Norfolk

Address: 14 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich NR7 0TA