practicing healthcare practitioner

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Burnley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Burnley is seeking a qualified Audiology Practitioner to manage a comprehensive Audiology Service. The role involves performing diagnostic assessments, programming hearing aids, and providing patient care in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Applicants must be registered with the AHCS and RCCP, possess strong communication skills, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a diverse environment. The position offers opportunities for professional development and is aligned with NHS standards.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

NHS pension scheme

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• Registered with the AHCS and the RCCP.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist Audiology Manager in daily clinical work.
• Perform diagnostic assessments of hearing for adults and children.
• Programme hearing aids and provide patient instructions.
• Audit patient satisfaction and hearing aid benefits.
• Manage hearing aid repairs and maintenance.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Oral communication

Ability to prioritize workload

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Education

Registered with the AHCS and the RCCP

Tools

Computer software for hearing aids

Hearing aid programming tools

Job description

Overview

A practising healthcare practitioner who contributes towards provision of a comprehensive Audiology Service. Assists the Audiology Manager in the daily clinical work of the department and is responsible for managing their own workload without direct supervision. In addition to audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting and re‑evaluation clinics, adult audiology provide specialist vestibular clinics and a hearing therapy service. We work closely with colleagues in ENT and Paediatric Audiology. Applicants must have the ability to prioritise their time and work schedule effectively, be flexible, have excellent written and oral communication, ability to meet deadlines and be a team player within a multidisciplinary team, with knowledge and acceptance of diverse populations.

The Audiology Practitioner must be registered with the AHCS and the RCCP. They perform and analyse diagnostic assessments of hearing on adults and children over 5 years of age, using air conduction headphones, bone conduction vibrators, tympanometry and an otoscope to identify ear conditions. They use assessment results to select and programme appropriate hearing aids using specific computer software and hardware tools, and verify programming using subjective and objective real‑ear measurement techniques.

They instruct patients on effective use of aids, communicate realistic expectations, provide basic directive counselling and empathic support, formulate individualised care plans and use effective communication and persuasion when motivation is low or barriers such as hearing loss, visual impairment, dementia, stroke/aphasia or language differences exist. Responsibilities also include hearing aid repairs and follow‑ups, taking ear impressions, maintaining accurate and efficient patient records on paper and electronic systems, and recording clinical test results onto an electronic patient database and hospital patient management system.

Responsibilities

1. Assist the Audiology Manager in the provision of specific clinical work on a daily basis, ensuring an efficient and effective service within clinical governance guidelines and professional standards without direct supervision.
2. Perform and analyse diagnostic assessments of hearing on adults and children over 5 years of age, using air‑conduction headphones, bone conduction vibrators, tympanometry, and an otoscope to identify ear conditions and make appropriate referrals.
3. Select, verify and programme hearing aids using subjective (free‑field and verbal assessment) and objective (real‑ear measurement) techniques, and make adjustments as required.
4. Instruct patients on effective use of hearing aids, communicate realistic expectations, provide basic counselling and empathic skills, and formulate individualised care plans.
5. Audit the benefit of hearing‑aid use and patient satisfaction using national benefit profiles and questionnaires, and utilise outcome measures for further rehabilitation.
6. Participate in open‑access hearing‑aid repair sessions and manage maintenance, replacement of faulty hearing aids, battery supply and re‑tubing of earmoulds.
7. Modify earmoulds for patients using appropriate equipment, ensuring comfortable and acoustically viable fit for all types of hearing aids.
8. Take accurate and safe ear impressions for adults and children over 5 years of age, following BSA‑recommended procedures.
9. Assist in specialist areas such as vestibular clinics, group instruction sessions, and supervision/training of assistant professionals and students.
10. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills when dealing with staff, patients, relatives and the public in person, on the telephone and in writing.
11. Perform administrative duties, including accurate record keeping on paper and computer databases, and maintain technical service records and stock control functions.

Qualifications & Eligibility

Registered with the AHCS and the RCCP. Ability to communicate, prioritise workload and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Strong written and oral communication skills and tolerance for diverse populations are required.

Additional Information

Salary advertised is for full‑time hours; for posts less than 37.5 hours per week the salary will be pro‑rata. New entrants to the NHS will commence at the first pay point of the relevant band. The vacancy may close before the closing date if sufficient applications are received. Applications should be monitored for email updates.

Disclosures and Barring Scheme (DBS) may be required for controlled or regulated activity. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure is £55.38 and a Standard Disclosure is £27.38. This cost does not apply to Volunteer posts.

Equal Opportunity

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of staff and operates a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of BAME communities.