Paediatric Audiologist (new graduates considered - training provided)

NHS; Watford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Paediatric Audiologist (new graduates considered - training provided)

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, well-motivated and competent Paediatric Audiologist to join the Paediatric Audiology service at Hertfordshire Community Trust on a permanent basis.

For candidates without paediatric audiology experience, we can accept applicants at a band 5 as a development role on the basis that you will be trained in house and progress to a band 6 once competent with paediatric audiology assessments and hearing aid management (6 months+). We welcome applications from those audiologists interested in developing their career in paediatrics.

The Paediatric Audiology service provides second and third tier services to children and young people living within the West Hertfordshire area. There are three sites from which clinics are held and the post holder will be expected to cover clinics at all three sites as needed, therefore a full valid driving license and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Lead children's hearing assessment clinics (6 months+)
• Provide hearing aid management to children of all ages
• Communicate effectively with service users and other members of the team
• Engage in audits and clinical governance tasks to ensure the department is continuously improving
• Assist the Audiology Service Lead in the day to day management of the service
• Take on operational responsibilities (with guidance) within the department

About us

Thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff. We put our patients, their families and carers at the center of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities. Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision. We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages. We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible.

In return, we can offer you:

• Support from a well-led department
• Professional development and external training opportunities
• 5% on top of basic salary high cost allowance supplement (subject to a minimum payment of £1,066 and a maximum payment of £1,845 per annum pro rata)
• Generous contributory pension
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays per annum pro rata
• Special Leave for family and personal reasons
• NHS Car Lease Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Employee Assistance Programme
• NHS Discounts

Job responsibilities

Please view attached job description for full responsibilities.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake the full range of diagnostic, technical and (re)habilitative audiological procedures for children. This will include thorough history taking, otoscopy, pure tone audiometry, VRA, performance audiometry, tympanometry and speech testing in accordance with BSA and departmental standards and protocols. This may also include electrophysiological assessment (diagnostic ABR, ASSR and otoacoustic emissions testing) on babies referred from Newborn Hearing Screening Programme under guidance of the Senior audiologists.
• Participate in departmental peer review and meetings regarding Newborn Hearing assessments. Where applicable, submit results of electrophysiological assessment to the East of England peer review system and be able to discuss test strategy and results with reviewers if required.
• Provide comprehensive management programmes including counselling and advice for children with hearing disorders and associated conditions. Provide support and advice for relatives/carers.
• Under the guidance of senior clinical Audiologists, support in the delivery of the Childrens hearing aid service. This includes taking impressions for ear moulds, processing repairs of faulty hearing aids, programming and fitting of hearing aids to older children and follow up of their care, assisting senior audiologists with hearing aid fittings and review appointments for young children and babies.
• The post holder will work flexibly across all locations within the Trust to meet the needs of the service.
• Ensure the clinical area is clean and tidy, clinical equipment is properly maintained and stock is managed appropriately, taking corrective action as necessary.
• The post holder has a responsibility to ensure that clinical equipment is calibrated daily and that the annual calibration date has not expired. Taking corrective action or escalating issues to the medical devices lead as necessary.
• Provide support and supervision of junior Audiology staff and audiology assistants

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of normal child development
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Empathy for working with vulnerable families / carers
• Physical skills, requiring precision, to test young children and the ability to use all the audiological equipment with care and control.
• Good organisational skills in particular the ability to prioritise work when under pressure
• Clinical analytical skills in the interpretation of complex clinical audiological data
• Evidence of management and leadership skills

Personal Qualities

• Professional appearance
• Exemplar telephone manner
• Adaptable to meet service needs
• Good team player
• Regular attendance & good time keeping in the workplace
• Ability to share knowledge and engage others in projects

Other Requirements

• Willingness to uphold the Trust's values
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheets and Access databases

Qualifications and Training

• Paediatric Audiology expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience - understanding of subject matter through additional training inhouse or externally.
• Expertise in paediatric audiology with BSC in Audiology or equivalent qualification.
• RCCP/ HCPC (State registration)
• STP, HTS in paediatrics, CAC, or equivalent experiential

Experience and Knowledge

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the ear and balance systems
• Competent and has post qualifications experience in performing paediatric audiology assessments including history taking, performing ageappropriate hearing tests (audiometry, performance testing, VRA, tympanometry, stapedial reflexes, OAEs), ear examination, debriefing the parent/carer and agreeing an individual management plan
• Experience in paediatric hearing aid work including performing RECDs with hearing aid fittings and reviews for children over 5 years of age.
• Experience of participation in clinical audit and service development
• Experience of teaching and training undergraduates and colleagues in Audiology

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.

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours