Job overview
We have an opportunity for a full time Paediatric Audiologist to join our team of Audiologists, Clinical Scientists, Assistant Audiology Practitioners
and Medics in East Lancashire. The service is based in Burnley and holds clinics across the Pennine Lancashire area. We are closely linked with
the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme at Lancashire Women’s and Newborn Centre, and are part of an active multidisciplinary network, the
East Lancashire Children’s Hearing Services Working Group.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be carrying out routine hearing assessments on children aged six months and older working with an Assistant Practitioner, or more senior colleague for complex assessments. They will work within the wider multidisciplinary team and with children’s families to formulate and implement management plans when hearing loss is confirmed. There will be responsibility for leading appointments to fit hearing aids to children with permanent and temporary hearing loss, and for reviewing these patients, carrying out real ear measurements and aided and unaided speech testing. A basic knowledge of tinnitus counselling/hearing therapy is expected. Experience in electrophysiological assessments would be desirable, but is not essential.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a good understanding of current, relevant professional guidance and recommended procedures, be able to work autonomously and have a recent CPD record. Knowledge of clinical governance and safeguarding processes is essential. The ability and flexibility to travel to community clinics, sometimes during the working day, is necessary. The successful candidate will hold professional registration with the AHCS as a Healthcare Scientist or HCPC as a Clinical Scientist, and will be able to provide evidence of working within a multidisciplinary team.
Working for your organisation
The Paediatric Audiology service in East Lancashire is based in Burnley, and holds regular clinics at clinical sites in Bacup and Blackburn, as well as in Children's Centres and Family Hubs where we provide counselling and hearing aid care in a less formal environment. Our catchment encompasses many rural villages, and we work closely with other professionals such as Health Visitors and Teachers of the Hearing impaired to support families to attend appointments and best support their child's development.
We are a small team, and as such work well together, maintaining regular communication even when working across multiple sites. Our clerical
team based in Burnley provide comprehensive support to clinicians and families, and together we aim to provide a high quality, family friendly
service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Taking audiology history from families, carrying out audiology assessments and explaining the results of these
Keeping accurate and complete electronic patient records
Communicating information within the multidisciplinary team using written and verbal methods
Taking ear mould impressions and fitting/verifying hearing aid fittings
Understanding NHS referral pathways and making onward referrals, for example for cochlear implant assessment, when indicated and with the consent of the family
Supporting senior staff with service development and research
Supervising students on placement and junior staff
Attending training relevant to the role and disseminating information to colleagues
Working autonomously and managing own workload
Person specification
Qualifications & training
Essential criteria
* BSc Hons Audiology OR MSc Audiology OR Equivalent Audiology qualification (e.g. BAAT)
* Professional registration with AHCS/HCPC
* Up to date CPD portfolio
Desirable criteria
* Basic counselling certificate
* Clinical Educator training
* 'Sharing the News' course completion
Experience
Essential criteria
* Post registration experience working in paediatric audiology
* Fitting, verifying and evaluating NHS hearing aids
* Performing a range of diagnostic tests
* Training of students/junior staff
Desirable criteria
* Fitting bone conduction hearing aids
* Performing electrophysiological assessments
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
* Advanced knowledge of specialist fields
* Knowledge of NHS referral pathways
* Experience of tinnitus counselling
* Computer literate
* Ability to work autonomously
* Knowledge of information governance
* Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
Desirable criteria
* BSL qualification
* Communication or conflict management training
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
* Full driving licence & car access
* Flexible to service needs