Senior Audiologist (Complex Adults)

 Key Result Areas:

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

Clinical

General

The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the audiological care of patients allocated to them.  For every patient contact the post holder will comply with the Trust’s Infection Control Procedures to minimise the risk of cross infection with particular reference to the handling, cleaning and disinfection of ear canal impressions, earmoulds and equipment. 

To provide excellent service to clients, outlining options in a family-friendly, supportive atmosphere, working empathetically with the client to overcome fears and anxieties about solutions to their communication difficulties.

Diagnostic Audiology

ENT clinics are held at Warwick Hospital, Stratford upon Avon Hospital and Ellen Badger Hospital.  The post holder will work autonomously to British Society of Audiology Standards to provide accurate assessments for patients of all ages.  The post holder will be responsible for providing accurate reports to General Practitioners, ENT Consultants and other professionals and advise where appropriate onward referrals and/or further audiological investigations.  

Discussing diagnostic results with patients informing them about their hearing loss in an empathetic manner to motivate them to make informed choices about rehabilitation options to assist with their communication difficulties 

Recognise conditions that require medical treatment and refer to medical practitioner as necessary.

Provide instruction to clients to enable them to respond appropriately to routine hearing tests.

Undertake a full range of audiological procedures in line with national and departmental protocols and procedures but working safely outside the procedure when clinically necessary.

Ability to work under pressure choosing the most appropriate diagnostic tests to enable an accurate diagnosis to be made

Tests on young children as part of Ear, Nose and Throat clinics 

Adult Rehabilitation

At clinics held at Warwick, Stratford upon Avon and Ellen Badger Hospitals the post holder will work autonomously and where necessary alone to provide Hearing Assessments, Hearing Aid Fittings, Hearing Aid Reassessments, Follow ups and Hearing Aid Repairs for adult patients.

Hearing Assessments and Reassessments to be conducted using BSA recommended Procedures via programmable audiological testing equipment.  Assessments of patient’s disability and handicap will be assessed using interview and counselling techniques using a variety of questionnaires/formal outcome tools.  The post holder must confidently discuss their findings and agree a care plan with the patient.  If appropriate impressions of the patient’s ears can be taken for earmoulds.  Appropriate reports and onward referrals must be completed 

The fittings of digital hearing aid devices including RITE and CROS systems must be undertaken using appropriate prescription targets, using Real Ear Measurements.  Instruction to patients on the use, acclimatisation and hearing strategies to ensure the needs of the patients and abilities are met.

Hearing Aid Follow Ups are essential to provide the patient with the opportunity to discuss challenges faced and experiences gained and identify potential changes to their hearing aids to maximise their hearing experience and should include outcome measures. 

Hearing Aid Repair Service is offered as a Walk in Clinic at Warwick Hospital.  All other outreach sites offer booked appointments.  The Walk in Clinics can be extremely busy, and the post holder will be required to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.  Where necessary reprogramming hearing aids, impression taking, necessary counselling and hearing aid maintenance will be undertaken.  The post holder must use initiative to develop care plans and make decision regarding onward referrals or additional supportive appointments outside the scope of a hearing aid repair.

Undertake assessments/rehabilitation within patient’s homes and ensure that all clinical equipment is handled with care particularly when being transported for domiciliary visits.

Ability to prescribe commercial hearing aids for income generation purposes

Complex Clinic Management

Aural rehabilitation on patients with additional special needs other than hearing loss.  This will include Severe and Profound Hearing Loss, Sudden Hearing loss, evidence of abnormally severe recruitment, dual sensory loss, non-organic and or non-organic overlay, learning disabilities and patients with cognitive problems i.e. dementia.

Assess and manage patients at the initial appointment, taking an extensive history and producing short and long-term rehabilitation plans for patient treatmenT 

Able to undertake diagnostic tests which would benefit individual patients in their agreed course of management

Counsel patient, relatives and carers on implications of the hearing loss (tinnitus and hyperacusis) and persuading them of best plan, motivation and acknowledgement of loss and change in their lives as a result from having these symptoms 

Routine use of outcome measures to develop, change and monitor long term rehabilitation plan and progress within the plan in light of information gained

Identify the need for appropriate onward referral to other professionals (e.g. Tinnitus Group / Psychology) and other agencies (Social Services, AoHL)

Producing clinical reports for the referrer on each patient

To undertake evaluation and management of tinnitus as per local protocols completing the above processes with each patient.

Administration

Read new referrals, accepting those that fit departmental criteria and redirecting those that do not to appropriate alternative departments such as ENT.

To support the department in meeting its waiting list targets for complex adult clinics

Service development

Assist in the future development within the Adult Audiology services that enable greater access to services for patients.

Support delegated responsibilities for the service’s IQIPS preparation and assessments across the adult service

Lead on the service developments to meet the IQIPS standards for the complex adult service 

To occasionally participate in research and development as required by the Audiology Department or ENT colleagues

Training, supervision, research and professional development

Provide clinical supervision for students, work experience and colleagues from other disciplines on agreed clinics

To strive to increase knowledge relevant to Audiology and administration in your role.

To participate in appropriate training and development activities as required developing and maintaining competency in your role.

Participate in the personal annual review process and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

To undertake peer reviews on Band 3 – 6 staff members, students and locums when requested 

Communications and Working Relationships:

To recognise the importance of personal contribution to the team and the wider professional network.

To inform and liaise with senior colleagues on all aspects of Audiology and administration related to your role.

To establish a working rapport with other team members and to contribute to team meetings.  The post holder is required to work as part of a team.  Assigned workloads identify booked appointments, however it is essential to review colleague’s workloads and assist when possible to maximise capacity and efficiency.

Ensure departmental and/or national policies and procedures are implemented in your area and to be pro-active in suggesting improvements for the service as a whole.

Having a good understanding of the needs of the hard of hearing and Deaf patients so that clear communication is possible in a friendly and helpful manner always.

At all times, be aware when communicating of the need for confidentiality, privacy and dignity.

Measurable Result areas:

Ensure accurate documentation occurs within patient records & produce reports on Audiometric differential diagnosis.

Ability to interpret audiological results and deliver rehabilitative options to patients and carers.

Ensure British Society of Audiology recommended procedures and protocols are adhered to. 

Ability to prioritise workload and organise own/others workload ensuring efficient and effective working is maximised within the team/service.

Participate in promoting innovative practice within the department.

Review, as delegated by senior colleagues, policies and protocols to ensure best and up to date practice is maintained.

Patient feedback on the tinnitus services, including completion of outcome measures, satisfaction surveys, mystery patient reports and audits 

Development of the service against IQIPS standards as agreed with the Adult Audiology Services Manager 

Contribute to specific service developments, investigative projects and audit tasks. To obtain, manipulate and utilise information. To involve gathering (from variety of sources at local through to national level), collating, critically appraising, and formally presenting information. Providing outcomes in format indicated (e.g. written report, or a formal presentation to colleagues)

Provision of education and training packages for students and Audiology staff relating to new services, techniques, technologies and practices, as agreed with the Adult Audiology Services Manager.