Specialist Audiologist / Clinical Scientist

Job overview

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.

We currently have 1 x STP with 1 due to start in September.

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

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.

• Detailed job description and main 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 aspectsof own work.

Decide priorities for own work, balance patient related and professional demands inconsultation 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 (this would be to a graduate standard and involve working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification).
• 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 timelymanner.
• Contribute to the day to day running of audiology clinics, ensuring all required resources areavailable to ensure the smooth running of the clinic; to include the rota/scheduling of appointments, arranging availability of suitable accommodation and/ or equipment, transfer of relevant case records, ear moulds and hearing aids.
• 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, includingassisting in maintaining stock levels, records and stocktaking.
• To have responsibility for team performance and ensuring a high standard of care is provided.

Tomonitor 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 i. e DM01 and NHSP NH2, whilst also supporting with waiting list management strategies and waiting list validation.

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. Use the audiology patient management system

• 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 in particular whenimparting potentially distressing information to patients and families.
• 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.
• Participate in the designing, writing and production of audiology resources.
• To form and maintain effective communication links with all members of the team and other colleagues.
• Negotiate with a range of different clinical specialists where opinions may conflict.
• To write clear and concise reports e. g. Guidelines, SOP, departmental policies.
• To maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively.
• To recognise barriers to change and be familiar with different types of communication e. g. verbal and non-verbal.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive audiology records and management plans in line with own professional body standards of practice, AHCS/HCPC standards and the trusts records management policy.
• Attendance and participation in Multidisciplinary Team meetings and governance or steering groups as required.

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; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques, to provide an accurate assessment of their hearing.
• 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 using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of technology.
• Where appropriate, engage others in the treatment process through information giving and training
• Communicate with patients in an empathic and sensitive way and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to assessment and management.
• 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.
• Seek second opinions where necessary.
• Make onward referrals when appropriate.
• Ensure smooth transition to adult audiology services for paediatric patients.
• To cover other clinical areas, where service need required. as defined by AHCS/HCPC/BAA.
• To identify and report any incidents or risk using the appropriate processes.
• To contribute to any plans for management of incidents or mitigation of risks as required.
• 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. This might include training for healthcare professionals within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Plan and organize the service delivery including adjusting clinic rotas.
• Plan annual leave and cover to maintain adequate staffing levels.
• Maintain a flexible approach to the role and develop it according to need.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation

• Keep the Audiology Team and Team Leaders up-to-date on issues regarding service provision, matters of clinical which may impact upon the service. importance
• Advise the Service Lead or operational lead of any shortfall in client care to facilitate planning in order to enhance service delivery.
• Implement policies within own work role
• Contribute to the discussion of local policies and procedures as required.
• Comment, if required, on proposed changes to working procedures and practices in audiology.
• To develop, monitor and evaluate evidence based guidelines / standards of good practice in the specialist area and participate in Trust wide implementation.
• To interpret national guidelines relating to the specialist area and communicate findings with relevant members of MDT.

Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership

• To be involved in the recruitment and induction of new staff where required.
• To carry out 1-1 meetings and annual appraisals for members of the audiology team.
• To monitor sickness and absence in line with trust procedures and record on Health Roster.
• Complete return to work interviews with staff where applicable.
• To monitor mandatory training compliance within the audiology team.
• Monitoring and allocating work load / distribution, ensuring manageable and skill-mixes and appropriate caseload.
• Oversee annual and study leave requests and cover within the audiology team.
• Complete risk assessments for staff where required.
• Advise Managers as to likely changes and requirements relating to developments within clinical area.
• Lead on the development of new services within clinical area.
• Lead on the development of competencies for band 6, band 5 and Audiology assistants.
• To provide preceptorship to new graduates and return to practice staff.
• Clinical supervision and support of Band 6 Audiologists, Band 5 Audiologists and audiology Assistants.
• Share knowledge and expertise with departmental colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate their development and enhance coordinated patient care.
• Participate in team meetings.
• To be responsible for maintaining and developing own competence to practice, through CPD activities and maintain portfolio reflecting professional development.
• Work as an active and supportive member of the audiology service
• Maintain registration as a healthcare scientist - audiologist/Clinical Scientist with the Academy for Healthcare Science or Health and Care Professions Council.
• To participate fully in own appraisal, development and the appraisal process.

Responsibilities for Teaching and Training

• Participate in the training of student audiologists on clinical placements.
• To be involved in the planning of student timetables.
• Assist with induction of new audiology staff.
• To develop, deliver and evaluate training and education as required to staff and patients.
• Ensure the professional development of members of the team including specialist band 6 audiologists, band 5 audiologists and students.
• To take a lead role in developing and delivering specialist training to others in area of clinical expertise.
• To supervise and support other members of the Audiology team in the completion of professional competency frameworks, for example HTS supervision.
• Develop and implement competency requirements in areas in specialist areas.
• Participate in CPD activities and the sharing of clinical skills and knowledge with peers.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training sessions required for the post in line with Trust policy.
• Responsibilities for data and information resources
• Collect data for team statistics and audits as required.
• To monitor activity and performance of the audiology service
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records to facilitate a high standard of patient care and comply with trust standards and legal requirements.
• To prepare timely and accurate reports for referrers to the service.
• To devise individual care plans for patients.
• To prepare patient resources/leaflets using Word, Power Point and seek approval from
• Communication Department.
• To maintain patient contact information in line with trust or departmental systems.
• Research, Development and Audit
• To maintain the departmental audit calendar.
• To identify and allocate projects within the team and service.
• To initiate and lead projects or audits within specialist areas.
• To critically appraise and implement research into practice where appropriate.
• Apply and disseminate research findings.
• To monitor and evaluate whether local/national standards are being met and make the recommendation for change.
• Physical Skills and Effort
• Daily use of PC/Visual Display equipment.
• Demonstrate specialist skills with a high degree of precision for assessments.
• To maintain intense concentration and physical effort in all aspects of patient/client management for prolonged periods.
• To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
• To ensure good knowledge of and adherence to Trust policies and procedures relevant to role.
• Driving to and from outreach clinics and visits to homes if necessary.
• Physical effort for moving portable equipment between work rooms and outreach clinics
• Good vision, manual dexterity and finger strength required for hearing aid repairs and fine manipulation of tools.
• Clear strong voice required for communicating with hard of hearing patients
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