Bank - Band 6 Audiologist

Posting date:	30 April 2025
Salary:	£25.68 to £38.52 per hour
Additional salary information:	£25.68 - £38.52 an hour
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	30 May 2025
Location:	London, W2 1NY
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	C9290-25-0505

Summary

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Clinical Diagnostic Assessment 1.1 To ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, and by the most suitable combination of clinical tests, to enable further clinical and medical decisions to be made regarding each patients management within the Trust. 1.2 To perform routine and non-routine adult auditory behavioural assessments. This will include pure tone audiometry with bone conduction and masking, uncomfortable loudness level tests, admittance tests and other techniques. 1.3 To perform other advanced test procedures which include: (a) Objective test procedures including oto-acoustic emission (OAE). (b) Advanced tests of middle ear function including high frequency tympanometry, ipsilateral and contra lateral reflexes and stapedial reflex decay. (c) To perform and report on, (initially with support) assessments of vestibular function to include videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), video head impulse test (vHIT) and caloric. 1.4 To recommend further investigations as required and devise a care plan, liaising with GPs, ENT and other associated Healthcare professionals, as appropriate. 1.5 To develop theoretical & practical knowledge of other forms of audiological testing including vestibular diagnostics. 1.6 To compile results and reports accurately and save and upload them appropriately in departmental and hospital records (e.g. AuditBase and Cerner). 1.7 To carry out direct referral assessments from GP referrals including history taking from patients, evaluation of results and decision making regarding patient management. To develop a personalised individual management plan (IMP) in conjunction with the patient. 1.8 To accurately and sensitively relay information to patients and significant others about test results and treatment plans using effective communication methods. 1.9 To assist in the management of satellite ENT and Rehabilitation clinics. 1.10 To go on domiciliary visits and visit community centres as required. 2. Aural Rehabilitation 2.1 To ensure that each patient has access to the relevant counselling, rehabilitation, and external support that they require in relation to their hearing loss. Procedures to include: (a) To maintain a good clinical judgement in assessing when hearing aids are appropriate and which types for adults. The fitting and follow-up appointments would include hearing aid selection, verification of the fitting using real ear measures (REMs), fitting prescription formulas and validated questionnaires and outcome measures. (b) Evaluation of the hearing aids using speech testing, aided threshold testing and subjective evaluation from the patient and/or significant others. (c) The need for other assistive listening devices. (d) Being responsible for referring on to other professionals e.g. Hearing Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, middle ear and cochlear implant teams and ENT Medical staff as necessary. 2.2 To provide aural rehabilitation of patients, including those with additional special needs other than hearing loss. To undertake tinnitus assessment clinics following training. 2.3 To take aural impressions on all ages, according to the British Society of Audiology recommended procedures. 2.4 To undertake hearing aid maintenance and repairs including modification of ear moulds. 2.5 To be able to communicate efficiently and accurately in difficult situations (i.e. when someone has a hearing loss) and be able to adapt using different communication skills in order to provide sensitive support to social, cultural or emotional barriers to understand the working or to accept the hearing aid. 2.6 To counsel distressed patients on hearing loss or associated problems. The ability to talk sensitively about other problems the patient may have e.g. bereavement. 2.7 To have the ability to accurately and sensitively relay information to patients about their test results in particular regarding any barriers to understanding the tests or to the degree of anxiety caused by each procedure. 2.8 To have the ability to make further decisions regarding the rehabilitation of the individual patient. 2.9 To maintain accurate records of outcome measures using computer databases. 2.10 To liaise with consultants in ENT and other associated healthcare professionals in ensure a holistic approach to the patient. 2.11 To use skills of persuasion when patients are reluctant hearing aid users. The ability to deal with difficult patients if appropriate. 2.12 To carry out virtual work where face to face or telephone appointments are not suitable, this would include video consultations and postal repairs. 3. Supervisory and Educational Responsibilities 3.1 To participate in mandatory staff training sessions. 3.2 To participate in teaching , training and lecturing to other staff groups 3.3 To supervise the work of trainee, junior and assistant audiologists and provide guidance and support in audiological techniques to trainees studying for professional examinations. 3.4 To provide training and support for non-audiological staff as and when required. 3.5 To participate in departmental research and audit. 3.6 To assist with the provision of Community training events and Education and Career advice seminars. 3.7 To promote the General Audiology Service to the ENT Department and external departments or organisations providing teaching and training of all groups of staff. 4. Management & Administrative Responsibilities 4.1 To be involved in the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) accreditation process. This would include writing Standard Operating Procedures and the preparation for and maintenance of the accreditation process 4.2 To assist in the day-to-day running of the department e.g. allocation of staff to clinics/ stock control. 4.3 To deputise in the absence of the senior specialist audiologists or clinical leads. 4.4 To have special responsibility for the management of a particular aspect of the service e.g. Health & Safety, management of the departmental website on the Trust Intranet site, induction of locum audiologists, domiciliary service, tinnitus assessment and rehab , yearly calibration or the commercial audiology service 4.5 To ensure that the administrative responsibilities of the department are fulfilled. To include using AuditBase and other Trust information systems (e.g. Cerner) which will involve close liaison with the medical staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. 4.6 To produce reports of patient treatment for distribution to GPs, referring consultants and associated professionals. 4.7 To maintain data records using computerised system. To participate in obtaining information necessary for contract procurement, quality assurance as resource management including patient statistics. This will require knowledge of using Trust computer information systems. 4.8 To be responsible for newly diagnosed patient appointments, ensuring that departmental protocol has been followed. 4.9 To be responsible for ordering and ensuring stock supplies are monitored in liaison with the Service Delivery Manager. 4.10 To ensure that audiological equipment including audiometers, tympanometers, OAE machine and other equipment are maintained, calibrated (stage 1 checks) and in good working order, with particular reference to health and safety regulations and quality assurance. 4.11 To deal with queries daily both in writing and by telephone in a professional and timely manner and within the guidelines of patient confidentiality. Queries maybe from other members of staff, outside agencies, patients, families or other carers. This may include distressed or angry contacts. 4.12 To help to establish and implement departmental protocols. 4.13 To be responsible for not wasting resources by careful use and good judgement of the equipment. 4.14 To participate in and attend departmental team meetings. 4.15 To ensure that all patients are seen in compliance with Trust policies in an environment that upkeeps the highest levels of health and safety. On a daily basis this involves an active awareness of good hygiene, especially in the use of clinical equipment used for otoscopy and earmould impressions. Also involved is maintaining an awareness of fire safety and emergency procedures, an ensuring that the department fulfils all general health and safety protocols. 4.16 Any other duties that may be discussed and agreed with the line manager. 5. General Responsibilities and Professional Development 1.1 To participate in the annual personal development review (PDR). 1.2 To follow departmental protocols and be responsible for suggesting improvements to working practices in conjunction with the Clinical Leads. 1.3 To ensure that all Trust Policies and procedures are adhered to. 1.4 To disseminate acquired course knowledge to other team members. 1.5 To ensure that all patients are in a professional and confidential environment. This is done by maintaining sensitive use and storing of all patients notes and records, and by being aware of issues regarding confidentiality when interacting with both staff members and members of the public. 1.6 To maintain a programme of continuing professional development to include keeping up to date on new research and ideas by reviewing relevant research papers and attending refresher courses and study days. To cooperate with medical and scientific staff in research programmes. To keep up to date with core skills on LEARN. 1.7 The post holder must comply with the HCPC or RCCP Code of Professional Conduct.