Band 5 Audiologist

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust; Ivy Chimneys; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in West Essex is recruiting an Audiologist to join our friendly team. We work across three sites in Epping, Harlow and Bishops Stortford and travel to all three sites is essential, with our department actively supporting training and student placements.

You will perform otoscopic examinations, assess hearing across adults and children, manage hearing aids fitting, and contribute to paediatric audiology clinics and home visits as required, with

Responsibilities

• Perform otoscopic examination of the ear canal to assess the condition of the external ear and eardrum.
• Recognise contra-indications to further treatment and refer to the appropriate professional when necessary.
• Assess the hearing of adults and children over the age of 5 using a range of specialised diagnostic tests, including: Pure Tone Audiometry, Acoustic Admittance Measurements, Acoustic Reflex Measurements and Speech Audiometry, Oto-Acoustic Emissions.
• Obtain aural impressions on adults and children for the purpose of ear moulds or custom made earplugs.
• Select appropriate hearing aids.
• Programme selected digital hearing aid using computerised system and fit hearing aid and mould to patient.
• Verify selection and fitting of hearing aid using Real Ear Measurements.
• Complete validated outcome measures to obtain a qualitative assessment of hearing disability and handicap using Glasgow Hearing Benefit Profile and Glasgow Hearing aid Difference profile or COSI.
• Using drill, buffer and grinding equipment, modify patient's ear moulds to facilitate comfort of fit and/or modify to change acoustic parameters.
• Regularly review patients progress with the hearing aid and analyse need for modification of hearing aid programme and/or further rehabilitation, advice and counselling.
• Fit custom made ear plugs for adults and children and instruct patients or their carers on effective use and maintenance.
• Provide a one-stop Hearing Aid Repair Service, using analytical and diagnostic skills to formulate individual solutions to non-routine hearing aid problems.
• Recognise when a medical history or test results require onward referral to Senior Audiologist or ENT Medical Staff.
• Analyse and interpret diagnostic test results to formulate an individual treatment plan.
• Undertake home visits to housebound patients to provide a full range of audiological services where access to patients in a domestic setting may be restricted.
• Undertake visits to in-patients who have been identified by ward staff as having hearing problems, providing the appropriate audiological services at the bedside.
• Assist with paediatric audiology and hearing aid clinics.
• Perform evening and weekend clinics as required (though we currently do not work evenings or weekends unless overtime is required).

Job description

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

An opportunity is available in the Audiology department at PAH for an Audiologist to come and work in our friendly team. We work across three

sites in Epping, Harlow and Bishops Stortford and travel to all three sites is essential.

We benefit from being a training department and currently have 2xSTPs, 1 BSc and 1 MSc Student.

We also run Paediatric Assessment and Rehabilitation and we encourage rotation through our Paediatric Service for all our staff to gain new skills,

where possible, depending on the needs of the service at the time.

Main duties of the job

Perform otoscopic examination of the ear canal to assess the condition of the external ear and eardrum. Recognise contra-indications

to further treatment (e.g. perforation, discharge, blood and/or excessive wax) and refer to the appropriate professional when necessary

e.g. ENT staff, GP Senior Audiologist, Nurse Practitioner etc

Assess the hearing of adults and children over the age of 5 using a range of specialised diagnostic tests, including: Pure Tone

Audiometry, Acoustic Admittance Measurements, Acoustic Reflex Measurements and Speech Audiometry, Oto-Acoustic Emissions.

Obtain aural impressions on adults and children for the purpose of ear moulds or custom made earplugs.

Select appropriate hearing aids

• Perform otoscopic examination of the ear canal to assess the condition of the external ear and eardrum. Recognise contra-indications to further treatment (e.g. perforation, discharge, blood and/or excessive wax) and refer to the appropriate professional when necessary e.g. ENT staff, GP Senior Audiologist, Nurse Practitioner etc
• Assess the hearing of adults and children over the age of 5 using a range of specialised diagnostic tests, including: Pure Tone Audiometry, Acoustic Admittance Measurements, Acoustic Reflex Measurements and Speech Audiometry, Oto-Acoustic Emissions.
• Obtain aural impressions on adults and children for the purpose of ear moulds or custom made earplugs.
• Select appropriate hearing aids using Patient Management System considering hearing aid specifications and outcome measures to suit individual patient needs.
• Programme selected digital hearing aid using computerised system and hearing aid software and fit hearing aid and mould to patient.
• Verify selection and fitting of hearing aid using Real Ear Measurements
• Complete validated outcome measures to obtain a qualitative assessment of hearing disability and handicap using Glasgow Hearing Benefit Profile and Glasgow Hearing aid Difference profile or COSI.
• Using drill, buffer and grinding equipment, modify patient's ear moulds to facilitate comfort of fit and/or modify to change acoustic parameters
• Regularly review patients progress with the hearing aid and analyse need for modification of hearing aid programme and/or further rehabilitation, advice and counselling
• Fit custom made ear plugs for adults and children and instruct patients or their carers on effective use and maintenance
• Provide a one-stop Hearing Aid Repair Service, using analytical and diagnostic skills to formulate individual solutions to non-routine hearing aid problems.
• Recognise when a medical history or test results require onward referral to Senior Audiologist or ENT Medical Staff
• Analyse and interpret diagnostic test results to formulate an individual treatment plan
• Undertake home visits to housebound patients to provide a full range of audiological services where access to patients in a domestic setting may be restricted
• Undertake visits to in-patients who have been identified by ward staff as having hearing problems, providing the appropriate audiological services at the bedside
• Assist with paediatric audiology and hearing aid clinics
• Perform evening and weekend clinics as required (though we currently do not work evenings or weekends unless overtime is required).