Vestibular and Paediatric Audiologist

MFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) seeks a Band 7 Vestibular and Paediatric audiologist to join the Balance service across Manchester Royal Infirmary, Withington Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.

You will assess and manage adults and children, perform specialist vestibular tests, contribute to paediatric audiology, and participate in MDTs, training and development within a forward‑looking NHS setting.

Qualifications

• M-level academic qualification in Audiology/Clinical Science or equivalent.
• Advanced vestibular assessment/rehabilitation qualification or STP with vestibular competencies.
• HCPC registration as an audiologist (or RCCP/AHCS).
• Additional paediatric audiology qualification/HTS or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete patient journey from initial balance assessment to discharge or review.
• Perform and interpret balance tests (VNG/calorics/vHIT/SVINT) with specialised equipment.
• Perform vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials testing.
• Write patient reports and make management recommendations.
• Counsel patients in vestibular rehabilitation and formulate individual management plans.
• Refer patients for MRI as required.
• Attend Balance MDT meetings and deputise for balance leads.
• Provide specialised assessment for hearing losses (adults/children) including paediatric rehabilitation.

Skills

Vestibular assessment

Paediatric audiology

HCPC registration

Paediatric audiology qualification

Education

M-level Audiology/Clinical Science

HTS Vestibular qualification

HCPC registration

Paediatric audiology HTS qualification

Job description

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Band 7 Vestibular and Paediatric audiologist

Full time - 37.5 hrs/week

This is a fantastic opportunity to combine your skills in vestibular audiology with other specialist audiology work. You will work within the Audiology services across Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) where clinics take place at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Withington Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital. You will work within Audiology as part of the Manchester balance service and will have an interest in balance assessment and rehabilitation for patients of all ages. Whilst the main area of work will be in balance, the varied nature of the audiology work that is available at MFT, allows additional interests to be explored with a current need within our paediatric audiology services at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Additional training and support will be given where required. MFT Audiology provides a number of specialist regional and supra-regional services including the Manchester Balance Service, specialist and complex audiology and all types of auditory implants for adults and children. Our service attracts complex cases from throughout the region and through our close relationship with ENT.

The department has educational and research links to the University of Manchester. Successful candidates should have a recognised M level postgraduate training equivalent to BAA HTS in vestibular assessment/rehabilitation or have STP training.

Main duties of the job

Be responsible for complete patient journey from initial assessment to discharge or ongoing review/monitoring in all areas of the balance service.

Perform and interpret diagnostic tests of balance using videonystagmography, calorics, Video head impulse testing, skull vibration induced nystagmus test (SVINT) including specialist equipment which may include rotational chair testing and posturography using the Equitest system.

Perform and interpret evoked potential testing in relation to assessment of the balance system such as vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Write patient reports and make recommendations for further management.

Counsel patients in the techniques of vestibular rehabilitation to formulate an individual management plan and review outcomes such objective and subjective measures.

Refer patients for diagnostic scans (MRI) as required.

Attend Balance MDT meetings and deputise for the balance clinical leads as required.

Training and education

Provide highly specialised assessment, advice and information for patients (adults and/or children) with hearing losses – including complex hearing losses.

A proportion of the role will involve paediatric hearing assessment and rehabilitation, including behavioural testing, hearing-aid fitting and verification, counselling families and multidisciplinary working

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - its an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Relevant M-level academic qualification in Audiology/Clinical Science or equivalent
• Advanced clinical qualification/competence in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation equivalent to BAA HTS Vestibular, or completion of STP with appropriate vestibular competencies
• Registration with HCPC or RCCP/AHCS other appropriate professional register as an audiologist or clinical scientist
• Additional advanced paediatric audiology qualification/HTS or equivalent

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of vestibular assessment, differential diagnosis and rehabilitation in adults
• Detailed knowledge of common peripheral, central and non-vestibular causes of dizziness and appropriate onward pathways
• Knowledge of paediatric hearing assessment and hearing rehabilitation
• VEMPs, SVINT, rotatory chair and posturography
• Management of complex paediatric cases
• Knowledge of bone conduction hearing devices

Experience

• Significant postqualification experience in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation
• Demonstrable ability to independently assess a patient with dizziness, rapidly obtain a focused history, perform targeted basic/bedside testing and formulate an appropriate working diagnosis and management plan without routine direct support from senior audiology or ENT staff
• Knowledge and understanding of professional policies and procedures in balance
• Post qualification experience with paediatric hearing assessment and hearing aid fittingren
• Experience making autonomous onwardmanagement decisions, including when to request MRI, arrange further vestibular testing or elevate/refer to ENT, neurology or other specialties
• Experience of vestibular assessment using a range of techniques, including vHIT, VNG/oculomotor and positional assessment, caloric testing and BPPV assessment/management
• Experience of vestibular rehabilitation, counselling and monitoring outcomes
• Significant postqualification experience working in busy paediatric audiology clinics
• Experience of routine paediatric hearing assessment using a range of age-appropriate clinical techniques
• Experience of hearing-aid fitting/verification and paediatric hearing rehabilitation
• Experience of first-contact vestibular practice or an equivalent autonomous diagnostic pathway
• Experience of VEMPs, SVINT, rotatory chair testing and/or posturography
• Experience managing complex paediatric cases
• Experience of triaging balance referrals
• Experience of leading service developments or audit
• Experience training and developing junior staff or students
• Experience of presentation at meetings/conferences and/or publication of research
• Database management and Microsoft Excel

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name David Jay Job title Clinical lead for Balance service Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 0161 276 8647 Additional information

Keri Abbott Paediatric clinical lead RMCH

[e-mail]