Assistant Technical officer/Audiology apprentice

Job Summary

This is a very exciting new opportunity to study for a BSc in Audiology whilst working in an audiology department as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) in the recently formed countywide collaboration.

You will join the adult Audiology service at Northampton General Hospital as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)/Audiology apprentice. This position gives you the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship in audiology, to eventually qualify as an Audiologist. This is a full-time position with time to attend lectures, complete assignments, and complete in-service training/assessments. The qualification is completed over a 5-year period: you will be working and studying alongside the role of Assistant Technical Officer in Audiology.

You will be trained to perform basic hearing aid repairs, advise and provide guidance to patients regarding their hearing. You will be coordinating the maintenance and calibration of the test environment and maintain adequate stock levels for clinics to take place.

Main duties of the job

Part of this role will involve assisting reception by seeing patients with enquiries regarding accessories, hearing aid use, simple repairs, supply of hearing aid consumables, and troubleshooting issues with devices before a formal repair appointment is requested.

As the apprenticeship progresses, the successful candidate will be trained to complete basic audiometry (Hearing tests), hearing aid fittings, history taking, and the other roles associated with that of an audiologist under supervision.

About Us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Date posted

16 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

265-6906688

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD

Job Description

Job responsibilities

GENERAL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To perform basic hearing aid repairs and maintenance.
2. Offer advice to patients and their families regarding deafness and amplification.
3. To support audiologists in clinic where required.
4. To work as part of the team by meeting and greeting patients when they arrive in the department. Work closely with Department manager to record, monitor and audit hearing aid repairs, consumables, and the postal service.
5. Coordinate the maintenance and calibration of the test environment and maintain adequate stock levels for clinics to take place.
6. Maintain stock for the department using the trust ordering system.
7. Update the Patient Management system (Auditbase) to enable accurate patient records.
8. Be actively involved in service development and improvement that directly affects patient care.
9. Be aware of Safeguarding issues and adhere to local procedures.
10. Liaise with other hospital departments, GPs, and other health care agencies when required.
11. Provide cross-cover within the team during busy times.
12. As the apprenticeship progresses, this job description will extend to include:
13. Basic hearing assessments (PTA), tympanometry, and Otoacoustic Emission testing.
14. Impression taking - the making of new ear moulds.
15. Detailed History taking and a good understanding of red flags and referral pathways.
16. Non-complex hearing aid fittings.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Direct experience working in a role dealing with the public
• An awareness of the impact of hearing loss on patients and their families.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a busy health-based setting

Essential

Education, Training & Qualifications

• NVQ3 or equivalent, or equivalent level of education, training or experience

Desirable

• Level 1 or equivalent British Sign Language

Essential

Skills & Abilities

• Good IT skills and attention to detail
• Able to communicate clearly at all times.
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload in a busy environment under own initiative and know when to escalate a situation appropriately
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a wider team.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential

• Good understanding of working as part of a team
• Calm and sensitive to any situation
• Able to relate well with patients and their families and colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to focus on a task with multiple interruptions
• Excellent interpersonal skills - can demonstrate sensitivity and ability to show empathy

Desirable

• Understanding of the importance of safeguarding

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Additional information

Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD
Employer's website: Northampton General Hospital