Senior Audiologist – Tinnitus And Hyperacusis Service

Royal Surrey Nhs Foundation Trust; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced audiologist to lead and develop tinnitus and hyperacusis services for adults and children. You will conduct advanced assessments, design rehabilitation plans, and work within a multidisciplinary team across hospital and outreach clinics.

The post involves outreach work, occasional domiciliary visits, and clinics across RSCH sites, with iterations of home video appointments.

Qualifications

• BSc or PTP in Audiology or equivalent senior-level experience.
• Certificate of Audiological Competence or equivalent HTS modules.
• Member of British Academy of Audiologists and registered health professional.
• Registration with AHCS or HCPC is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day clinical sessions and manage routine operation of Audiology clinics (tinnitus and hyperacusis) for adults and children, including outreach and domiciliary clinics.
• Deliver advanced audiological assessments and audiology services, including diagnostic tests and rehabilitation planning.
• Supervise students and junior staff; contribute to staff development and service improvement.
• Develop patient-centred, evidence-based therapy programmes for complex cases (tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss).
• Utilise and maintain hearing aid fitting and fine-tuning processes; stay updated with new technologies.
• Handle outreach clinic operational management and coordinate with clinical leads and head of service.

Education

BSc or PTP in Audiology

Certificate of Audiological Competence

Member of British Academy of Audiologists

UK registration with AHCS/HCPC

Job description

Job summary

Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic provides rehabilitative treatments for people experiencing tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia. Referrals for therapy are accepted from GPs, ENTs, audio-vestibular physicians, mental health professionals, paediatricians, and other relevant sources.

The post-holder will provide (1) various forms of evidence-based therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia, and (2) routine and specialist audiological rehabilitative services to adults with hearing impairment within the adult audiology team.

The post-holder will work closely with the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Team Lead in the development of the service. They will liaise with other specialities and professionals, working within a multi-disciplinary team.

The post-holder will be required to work across sites to cover clinics at Royal Surrey County Hospital, including its outreach sites and domiciliary visits. Access to a car is highly recommended. The post holder will also have the opportunity to regularly work from home offering video appointments.

Please note this role includes participation in a 7-day a week working rota to support the service. Core hours of service are 9am - 5pm. Flexible working patterns can be discussed at interview.

For further information contact Karen Lammaing, Head of Audiology, on 01483 571122 x2535 or email [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

• Be responsible for the day to day running and routine organisation and operation of Audiology clinics, primarily in the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Audiology service for both adults and children, including dedicated outreach clinics and domiciliary clinics.
• Work at an advanced clinical audiology level and undertake specialist tinnitus and hyperacusis audiological and psychometric assessments.
• Perform, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of tests related to hearing disorders, including advanced techniques.
• Provide a comprehensive range of expert diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services for patients, including determining care plans for individual patients and involving carers and families as appropriate.
• Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities relating to the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids with adults.
• Assist the Adult team leads in management duties.

Job responsibilities

• Provide clinical sessions and be responsible for the routine operation of clinical sessions, primarily in the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Audiology service for both adults and children.
• Support the financial management of the Audiology Service at RSFT, working as the designated lead audiologist when at an outreach clinic.
• Work according to the policies, protocols and procedures of the Audiology service and apply for advice and guidance from senior staff and the Head of Audiology services as necessary.
• Be responsible for the supervision and training of students and junior staff and participate in the development of audiology staff and service development.
• Formulate and deliver patient-centred and evidence-based therapy programmes for clients with complex needs, e.g. co-morbidities of hyperacusis, tinnitus, hearing impairment and psychological disturbances.
• Perform, assess, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of testing activities related to disorders of hearing, including advanced techniques, working with adults and school-age children and working as part of a team with younger children.
• Provide a comprehensive range of adult rehabilitation services for patients, including management of patients with severe to profound hearing loss, patients with near-normal hearing, patients with complex and special needs, and patients suitable for cochlear implantation. Support the development and maintenance of a user-friendly service.
• Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities associated with the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids. Update knowledge and awareness of recent developments in hearing aid technology on a regular basis and apply this information to the use of appropriate hearing aids.
• Be responsible for the careful and accurate recording of patient sessions and clinical observations on Audit base and other patient information systems, and for writing in patient notes in compliance with Trust policies.
• Have the judgemental skills needed in performing and choosing the tests required in supporting ENT clinics, complex and special needs clinics based on the patient history.
• Undertake advanced audiological techniques to assist consultant staff with the diagnosis and treatment of adult and paediatric patients.
• Use clinical and non-clinical resources efficiently and effectively, be responsible for the care, use and daily calibration of equipment, and report on any faults.
• Communicate complex information to patients and families with skill and sensitivity, explain audiological test results, and reassure patients and families.
• Be responsible for liaising and communicating with other support services.
• Offer counselling and support in emotive and sensitive situations, sympathetically handling the expectations, questions, frustrations and distress of patients.
• Deal with aggressive or confrontational patients and parents by calming the situation.
• Provide specialist advice, counselling and support to patients, parents and children to help minimise disability due to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems.
• Advise on assistive listening devices and other services for those with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems, referring to other agencies, specialised staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide specialist advice on technical issues and audiological support.
• Take responsibility for handling complaints and concerns arising from patients in outreach clinics or RSCH in collaboration with the Clinical Leads and the Head of Audiology Services.
• Participate in research and development as necessary, and in audit and monitoring performance to assure the quality of services.
• Update professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new technologies and audiological techniques, and ensure Continued Professional Development as required for professional registration.
• Be responsible for planning own time management and that of junior staff to ensure effective use of clinical time.
• Be responsible for undertaking monthly activity reports in the outreach clinics to monitor clinical activity and enable financial management.
• Comply at all times with the RSCH and outreach hospitals Health and Safety policies, following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
• Maintain and participate in clinical governance of the Audiology Services.
• Respect confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
• Take responsibility for the operational management of the Audiology service in an outreach hospital, managing and supervising junior staff working there.

Qualifications

Essential:

• A BSc or PTP in Audiology or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
• A certificate of Audiological Competence or equivalent HTS Modules.
• Member of British Academy of Audiologists.
• Be a member of an appropriate professional body (AHCS - Healthcare Scientist or HCPC - Clinical Scientist).

Desirable:

• Evidence of completion of specialist courses regarding Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy.

Knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Advanced current theoretical and practical knowledge of clinical Audiology and hearing aid technology.
• Experience of working as an independent practitioner for a range of Audiological diagnostic assessments and rehabilitative techniques and outcomes including paediatrics and adults, including diagnostic audiometry, tympanometry, speech audiometry, real ear measurement, impression taking, earmould modifications, fitting and rehabilitation, and paediatric testing (over 3 years).
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.
• Experience in specialised testing, including patient groups (complex, special needs, severe to profound loss, near-normal hearing and cochlear implant candidates), adult otology tests (speech testing, speech-in-noise testing, ABR, OAE, ASSR, TEN test), and vestibular assessment and rehabilitation.
• Experience in working with patients with tinnitus/hyperacusis and designing personalised treatment plans.

Desirable:

• Thorough and current knowledge of NHS policy, the present general management agenda for change, and the generic and specific operational working of the organisation.
• Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy, national guidance and CQC, and appreciation of the implications of this on engagement.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Surrey, Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XX, United Kingdom

Royal Surrey is an equal opportunities employer. Applicants are considered on merit regardless of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.