We are looking for a leader in paediatric audiology to join our team in this beautiful part of the country.
We are IQIPS accredited, and the successful candidate will play a key role in helping us to maintain this, and further develop our service into the future. The service will be expanding in 2025 as a large part of the adult element moves to the new Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre, so there will be a need to ensure strong leadership as we transform into a service with two main bases, as well as providing services across our geographical patch.
You will have significant clinical expertise in paediatric audiology, with experience at a senior level within the UK. We offer a stable, friendly and highly motivated team who are keen to progress.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
1. Paediatric team leader
2, Provides expert clinical service in diagnostics and habiliation of infants and children with hearing loss and tinnitus
3. Undertakes clinical supervision and training of trainee staff
4. Provides leadership, governance and strategic direction for paediatric audiology services
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Duties
Diagnostic duties
* To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from national screening programmes, primary care and secondary ENT
* Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings
* Take medical histories of patients directly referred from national screening programmes, primary care or non-otological specialties to exclude pathologies requiring an otological opinion
* Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when there should be variation from these:
o Accurately test hearing of children of all ages, and adults on occasion, including those with highly complex needs
o Use the full breadth of subjective and objective tests available, including behavioural, electro-acoustic and electrophysiological tests as required according to the age, ability and clinical needs of the individual
* Provide expert analysis of test results and second opinions to support audiology staff and medical staff of all grades.
* Take leading role in approved regional or national peer review programmes to quality assure diagnostic testing
* Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols
Habilitation Duties
* Take social histories and listening needs assessments people of all ages and including the most complex cases, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary management plans
* Take accurate aural impressions of neonates, infants, children and on occasion adults
* Modify ear moulds using the range of laboratory equipment available
* Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when there should be variation from these to:
o Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results
o Accurately fit digital hearing aids to patients of all ages using real ear/probe microphone measurements
o Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids and onward referral to other specialist services
* Provide counselling to patients and their families and/or significant others regarding the nature and extent of any hearing impairment, and the options on how this could be managed
* Manage distressed or angry patients and their families sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options
* Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems
* Ensure patients and/or significant others are fully aware of the use of any devices issued
* Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service
* Provide a basic hyperacusis and tinnitus management service for children.
* Provide expert clinical advice to other staff, including education professionals, wards, health visitors and ENT
* Take leading role in approved regional or national peer review programmes to quality assure habilitation of complex cases
* Ensure timely onward referral to specialist services when required, such as cochlear implants or Deaf CAMHS
Other Clinical Duties
* Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings
* Provide education, training and supervision to audiology staff of all grades
* Provide education and training to other staff groups, including medical and nursing staff
* Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical records using the computerised patient management system and hospital records
* Provide written and verbal reports on patients to referrers and other members to the multi-disciplinary team
* Take responsibility for own continual professional development
* Prioritise own workload
Management, Leadership and Governance Duties
* Lead the paediatric elements of UKAS accreditation to ensure a safe and effective paediatric audiology service
* With the leadership team, manage complaints, incidents and non-conformities
* With the support of the Head of Service, provide leadership and drive service development within paediatric audiology to ensure continuous service improvement to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care
* Support and implement service development in other areas of the service.
* With the support of leadership team, responsible for the development and maintenance of clinical protocols in paediatric audiology
* Responsible for ensuring the paediatric hearing aid stock is sufficient for the service needs
* Provide specialist input into local procurement decisions on hearing aids and audiological equipment
* Ensure staff have appropriate appraisals and development plans, and plan training for staff in paediatric audiology.
* Work closely with other providers, such as through the Childrens Hearing Services Working Group and related bodies.
* Work within the Trust management systems to ensure smooth service delivery, such as through attendance at service line and governance meetings.
* Deputise for the Head of Service as necessary
* Responsible for the maintenance of the permanent childhood hearing impairment database and other service statistics
* Take part in research and development, including input into the design of clinical trials and presentation of the results.
COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
* Daily interaction with Head of Service, audiology and appointments staff
* The Cluster Manager and Service Line Director
* Medical, HCS, AHP and nursing staff
* Patients, families and carers
* Education and social care staff
* Regional paediatric audiology teams
* UKAS accreditation team
OTHER
All Job Holders are required to THIS PAGE MUST BE INCLUDED IN ALL JOB DESCRIPTIONS
* Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
* Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
* Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
* Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
* Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
* Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
* Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
* Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
* Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
* Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
* Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
* Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
* Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
All Managers are responsible for
* Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.
* Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.
Note
This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* MSc in audiological science or equivalent accredited learning
* STP/CAC or equivalent accredited post-graduate training
* Registration either as a clinical scientist (audiology) or as a clinical physiologist (audiology)
Desirable
* Qualification in management or equivalent accredited training
Knowledge and experience
Essential
* Demonstrable experience of quality assurance in paediatric audiology within UK setting
* Highly specialised proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in paediatric audiology, including habilitation of deaf infants and children
* Previous demonstrable experience of staff management, training and development
Desirable
* Previous demonstrable experience of line management
Aptidude and abilities
Essential
* Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
* Works in a calm and organised manner and mixes in well as part of cohesive team
Desirable
* Proven track record in service development or clinical research
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address
Audiology, Level 7
Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
216-CB-S6249018
#J-18808-Ljbffr