Deputy Clinical Lead - Audiology

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder will work closely with the Head of Audiology and Clinical Leads to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care. This role involves mainly working within the Adult Hearing Service carrying out routine and complex audiological assessment and rehabilitation.
• The postholder will take primary responsibility for leading one or more clinical areas of practice.
• There is line managerial responsibility for more junior members of the department.
• The post holder will play a key role in maintaining governance within their area, and continual service improvement.
• The post holder will work as an independent advanced clinical audiologist routinely undertaking the following tasks in close collaboration with the senior leadership team as appropriate:
  o Responsible for line management of members of the Audiology team , to include appraisals, personal and career development, sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance matters, performance management and health and safety.
• Take primary responsibility for leading one or more clinical areas of practice as agreed with the Head of Service / Clinical Lead.
• Support the Senior Leadership Team to provide a seamless, unified high-quality audiology service.
• Assist in ensuring that professional and clinical standards are maintained.
• With other staff at this level, provide first-line management of the clinic on a day-today basis, ensuring staffing and patients are appropriately accounted for.
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures applicable to the service.
• Undertake full audiological assessment of patients, to include complex and nonroutine cases such as those with multiple disabilities and severe communication difficulties.
• Analyse test results and other assessment data to determine differential diagnosis, the need for medical opinion and/or to decide on treatment options.
• Develop, arrange and implement individual treatment plans for patients in both highly complex and routine cases.
• For routine and complex cases select, programme and evaluate hearing aids for patients to include the provision of specialist audiological and related services.
• Liaise with a large multidisciplinary team of professionals within the department and wider service structure to ensure that each patient receives a high quality and well-co-ordinated service which satisfies the Patient Charter Standards, national professional standards and the Children’s Act.
• Record clinical observations and test results, maintaining database entries of clinical findings.
• Prepare audiological reports containing findings on assessment and review, with recommendations and advice based on clinical observations, assessment and knowledge for other professional colleagues and patients.
• Act as a point of contact for less experienced staff, in particular for complex and non-routine cases.
• Support new staff during a preceptorship period, and ongoing support/ mentorship of staff within the service to develop their skills and experience,
• Lead, support and actively participate in service change programmes in line with local and national service development.
• Coordinate and participate actively in service monitoring, evaluation and audit.
• Support and lead in areas of research, audit and development within the department, becoming actively involved at a level considered appropriate by the Trust and within their role.
• Responsible for maintaining CPD to maintain registration.
• The post holder will undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required.