Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic Audiologist with further specialist training to join our Paediatric Audiology team in a senior role. There will be opportunity to participate in the Adult Audiology service too.
Bedfordshire Hospitals Audiology service is an Adult and Paediatric Service based on two Hospital sites, Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable Hospital. You will contribute to delivering a high-quality, patient-centred assessment and (re)habilitation service for our population of babies, children and young adults. The post holder will participate in the service’s training programme, including preceptorship and mentoring.
Recruitment & Retention Premium (RRP) of 10% is applied to this role.
Joining NHS offers many benefits:
1. Commitment to further training and development including MSc modules, HTS modules, and higher specialist training.
2. Access to NHS training and development programmes delivered by the NHS Leadership Academy.
3. Access to NHS service-specific regional and national networks.
4. Supportive, learning and nurturing environment of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
5. Personal and professional rewards of working with a caseload of complex and challenging patients.
6. Opportunities to shape future service developments.
7. Supported CPD programme.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work autonomously at a senior level, participating in the provision of a comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative Audiology for both adults and children, including complex cases.
The post is predominantly weighted towards the Paediatric Service and will require an advanced and specialised diagnostic and rehabilitative skill set and knowledge base, working with a caseload aged newborn to young adult. The post holder will participate in the department’s training programme for students and junior staff, including preceptorship and mentoring.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
a.Work as an independent practitioner providing specialist clinical services directly to patients, to include:
i.The assessment and rehabilitation of children (newborn to young adult) +/- adults.
ii.Creation of individual rehabilitation plans selected from a range of possible options, engaging the patient/family as an active partner in the decision-making process guided by a flexible, inclusive and responsive approach based on patient/family need.
iii.Responsibility for and management of patients with complex and/or special and additional needs, including cases referred by other members of the team due to conflicting results or incomplete information.
b.Promote clinical excellence as a specialist practitioner, maintaining a high level of specialist expertise in routine and non-routine testing and rehabilitation methods, to include expertise in a range of techniques, procedures and technologies. The latter will involve keeping up to date with new or emerging technologies and knowledge.
c.Undertake domiciliary visits at home and on hospital wards as required.
d.To contribute to policy development, review and implementation including participation in the production and revision of policy documents, operating procedures and training materials.
e.Participate in maintenance and collation of departmental statistics.
f.Maintaining Departmental and Hospital records including use of the Patient Management.
g.System, stock control systems, and equipment calibration and service records.
h.Participate in the Department’s professional, clinical and statutory training, including the training of students, junior staff and colleagues from related disciplines. To participate in the department’s preceptorship and mentoring program as required.
i.Participate in audit and research and development opportunities as they arise.
j.To undertake the requirements to maintain professional registration including maintaining CPD records in a format required by the regulatory professional body.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. MSc Audiology or
9. STP (Audiology) or
10. BSc/PTP + Paediatric-relevant HTS modules
Desirable criteria
11. Registration with HCPC as a Clinical Scientist (or equivalent experience with willingness to undertake further training)
12. BAA membership
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Experience in training and clinical supervision of staff and students, including training at specialist level.
14. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
15. Excellent clinical skills, including undertaking, interpreting, reporting on, advising on, and formulating care plans (where several options may exist) based on specialist tests and knowledge
16. Ability to prioritise workload and adapt to interruptions
17. Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
18. Ability to communicate effectively with the hearing impaired, their families and care-givers
19. Ability to manage barriers to understanding
20. Ability to assimilate and convey highly complex and sensitive information using communication skills appropriate for communication situation (patients, families, colleagues, teaching situations, etc.)
21. Ability to impart difficult news about emotive topics, including counselling upset and distressed patients and families Requires developed motivational, empathetic, re-assurance and counselling skills
Desirable criteria
22. Audiology-related counselling course/training
23. Breaking Bad News training course
Knowledge
Essential criteria
24. Frequent exposure to uncontained body fluids
25. Computer skills, including management of PMS, report writing, programming hearing aids, use of excel and statistical packages, preparation of training materials.
26. Physical skills: highly developed physical skills requiring a high degree of precision (to undertake probe mic placements and aural impression taking in neonates, babies and children.) Ability to work in restricted positions.
27. Clear knowledge of confidentiality issues and obligations
28. Good time management
29. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
30. Ability to use own initiative
31. Motivated and flexible
32. Medical fitness
PERSONAL SKILLS
Essential criteria
33. Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable
34. Open/Reflective/Warm
35. Enthusiastic and self-aware
36. Creative and Flexible
37. Team focussed
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.