Newborn Hearing Screener

Royal Berkshire Nhs Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS trust in Berkshire seeks a fully qualified Hearing Screener to provide newborn hearing screening. Responsibilities include conducting tests, delivering results, and managing operational tasks within a dynamic team. Applicants should have strong communication skills and previous healthcare experience. This role includes flexible shifts across a 7-day service. Competitive benefits include annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

NHS pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Fully qualified or experienced newborn hearing screener.
• 6 months experience in the healthcare sector.
• External Competency Assessment in Newborn Hearing Screening completed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct newborn hearing screening tests and deliver results to families.
• Support managerial tasks and operational management.
• Engage in service development discussions and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Experience with newborn screening

Strong computer skills

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Education

GCSE grade C or equivalent in English and Maths

NVQ level 3 or Health Screeners Diploma in Audiology

Tools

S4H (Smart for Hearing) platform

Job description

Overview

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together to deliver its vision: "Working together to provide outstanding care for our community." Royal Berkshire Hospital has been rated 'Good' by the CQC after improvements. We value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust and encourage you to highlight your achievements and strengths in relation to the job description and person specification. While AI-generated responses are discouraged, human detail and relevance are important for suitability. We offer learning and development for all employees, whether clinical or non-clinical.

Based within the Maternity Unit at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, the Newborn Hearing Screening team provides comprehensive hearing screening to all babies born or resident across Berkshire. The service identifies babies who may have a hearing loss so they can be referred for further testing and early intervention where appropriate. This national programme involves explaining and conducting screening tests, delivering results sensitively to families, accurately entering data into the National Screening database, and liaising with healthcare professionals to ensure timely follow-up and care.

Role and responsibilities

As a fully qualified and experienced Hearing Screener, you will have direct contact with babies and parents and participate in ongoing professional development, including annual computer-based e-learning and clinical competency assessments. You will contribute to the collection of activity data and support local audits. You will engage in discussions and meetings on service development and assist in implementing changes in practice to improve service delivery. You will support the Band 6 Local Screening Manager with operational management, oversee failsafe processes, and contribute to ensuring the programme consistently meets national standards and performance targets.

Responsibilities

• Explain and conduct newborn hearing screening tests; deliver results sensitively to families; accurately enter data into the National Screening database; liaise with healthcare professionals to ensure timely follow-up and care.
• Engage in discussions and meetings on service development and assist in implementing changes in practice to improve service delivery.
• Contribute to data collection and support local audits.
• Support the Band 6 Local Screening Manager with operational management and oversee failsafe processes to ensure the programme meets national standards and performance targets.
• Work across busy postnatal wards and outpatient clinics; adapt to covering shifts as required.

Requirements and qualifications

• Fully qualified or experienced newborn hearing screener; able to work autonomously and study independently.
• GCSE grade C or equivalent in English and Maths; strong computer skills; knowledge of the S4H (Smart for Hearing) platform.
• External Competency Assessment (ECA) in Newborn Hearing Screening completed and either fully qualified or actively progressing towards qualification within an agreed timeframe.
• 6 months experience in the health care sector (within the previous 5 years).
• Desirable: Leadership experience; relevant childcare qualifications; NVQ level 3 or Health Screeners Diploma in Newborn Hearing Screening or equivalent in Audiology; basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the auditory system.

Service delivery and working patterns
This is a 7 day per week service (364 days per year). Shift patterns are dependent on service needs; service cover requires some weekend and bank holiday work. You may be required to travel to outreach clinics in the Berkshire area; a full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Hours are typically 7.5 hour shifts (e.g., 08:00–16:00).

Additional information

We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Not all roles are eligible for sponsorship; review the government website for eligible roles and requirements.

Benefits and about the Trust

• Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on work-life balance
• Annual leave: 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays; increasing with service length
• NHS pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Money Advice Service
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
• On-site nursery (RBH)
• Educational library services
• Cycle to work scheme; secure cycle storage
• Bus to work scheme; good rail and bus links
• Health Service discounts

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health of its staff, patients and the wider community by providing a smoke-free environment.