Audiologist

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Key duties

To ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, using the most appropriate combination of clinical tests, to assist in their further clinical and medical management.

To Help the head of audiology maintain and develop audit and CPD resources for the department and use this as a mechanism through which it can monitor its performance insurance quality and strive for continuous improvement in service delivery.

To keep well versed with the latest developments in audiology to inform and ensure their continued personal development and that of the department.

To take forward the modernization of the service and develop initiative patient focused models of care.

To always comply with the Northampton General Hospital health and safety policies by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the trust risk incident reporting system.

To always respect patient confidentiality and not divulge patient information and less sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

Clinical

To undertake regular clinical sessions to maintain a high clinical profile professional competence authority and credibility.

To professionally lead and actively participate in the work of specific specialised disciplines in the department appropriate to the skills and experience of the post holder.

To provide specialist advice to patients, professionals, and professional services on all matters pertaining to adult audiology and clinical services.

To be professionally responsible for test results in the writing of test reports

To be responsible for the clinical decisions as to the viability of which diagnostic tests to undertake.

To work closely with the paediatric audiology service so adults and paediatric audiology services are aligned.

In compliance with the departmental policies be responsible for referring patients to other professionals where appropriate.

To audit clinical effectiveness and maintain a programme of development.

Communication

To be able to take a complete audio vestibular case history from a patient and or carers and be able to interpret the information to guide treatment planning and discussions with multi professional team members.

To be able to communicate complex and often sensitive or emotive information (such as diagnosis of hearing loss) in an effective and accurate way in difficult situations to patients and their relatives or carers and be able to adapt using different communication skills in every situation seeking advice from the line manager when necessary.

This may include the use of communication skills including empathy persuasion motivation negotiation training reassurance to ensure the best outcome for the patient.

To be able to communicate effectively with patients with additional communication needs including profoundly deaf people knows who rely on sign language or language interpreters.

To counsel distressed patients and their relative stroke carers on hearing loss or associated problems including those with cognitive impairment or illnesses that may lead to anxiety aggressive behaviour or suicidal ideations. The ability to talk sensitively about other problems the patient may have if appropriate e.g bereavement.

To be able to adapt communication to patients based on their clinical diagnosis and the stage of treatment this may include pre and or post operative patients and patients with long term potentially rare conditions.

To maintain good patient report including being sensitive to the patient or carers communication needs.

To liaise with the consultants in ENT/other audiologists and other associated healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to the patient.

To be able to justify the choice of clinical intervention where expert opinions may differ using highly specialist knowledge and experience.

To act as an expert resource and advisor in the area of audiology to other professionals, patients and carers.

To ensure that each patient has access to the relevant counselling rehabilitation and external support that they require in relation to their hearing loss.

To provide support and motivation to patients so that they may complete the assessment and rehabilitation process to the best of their ability.

To be able to communicate effectively with patients to ensure that appointments are managed within appropriate timeframes to reduce delays to the clinics.

To demonstrate effective skills in conflict resolution and competent negotiation skills when dealing with difficult or challenging situations including the discussion of complex cases with other clinical staff.

To undertake joint consultations with other professionals including speech and language therapists and teachers of the deaf.

To work constructively and flexibly with people from other cultures and backgrounds being particularly alert to special vulnerabilities e.g. refugee status, war related post-traumatic stress disorders.