Audiologist

CHS Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Wisconsin seeks an Audiologist to evaluate and manage hearing care for pediatric patients, prescribe and fit hearing aids, and support families through rehabilitation. You will perform pediatric audiology assessments, interpret results, and coordinate with physicians, speech pathologists, and educators to ensure optimal outcomes.

A clinical AuD is required, with experience in pediatrics preferred.

Qualifications

• AuD or equivalent clinical doctorate in audiology.
• Experience with pediatric audiology and hearing aid fitting.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate pediatric patients' hearing level using a variety of tests.
• Prescribe and dispense hearing aids and train families.
• Maintain clinical records and progress notes.
• Collaborate with physicians, speech pathologists, and educators.
• Mentor students and participate in research in pediatric audiology.

Skills

Pediatric audiology

Hearing aid fitting

Clinical evaluation

Interpersonal communication

Documentation & record keeping

Education

AuD (Doctorate of Audiology)

Tools

Impedance testing

Otoacoustic emissions

Auditory brainstem response

Automated steady-state testing

Job description

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day,

Job Summary

Evaluates patients' referred to the Audiology Program. In doing so, determines patient's hearing level, determines most likely site of damage to auditory system, anticipates degree of disability resulting from hearing loss, predicts potential benefits from hearing aid use and/or special training, and prescribes and dispenses hearing aids for hearing impaired patients. Counsels and instructs patients/families in rehabilitative needs, monitors patient's progress and maintains clinical records according to established procedures.

Essential Functions

• Developmental: Understands and satisfies the needs of the neonatal, pediatric, adolescent and/or adult patient in regards to their growth and development process.
• Evaluation: Evaluates patient's hearing level by administering a wide variety of audiological tests designed for the pediatric population. Reviews patient records, interviews patient/family to obtain case history, consults with physicians, speech pathologists and other relevant clinical professionals in order to evaluate patient condition according to standard procedures. Determines likely site of auditory system damage, anticipates degree of auditory disability and predicts the potential benefits of hearing aid use and/or special training. Competencies include: Newborn hearing screening, Impedance Testing, Otoacoustic Emissions, Auditory Brainstem response testing, automated steady state response testing, Behavioral Assessment, and auditory processing evaluations.
• Case Management: Counsels and instructs parents and patients in the areas of auditory disabilities, treatment needs, and the long term effects of the hearing disorder. Monitors and follows all children referred to Audiology to ensure that the appropriate medical and educational services are received. Connects families with state and national organizations related to hearing loss. Performs cerumen management.
• Selection and Fitting of Amplification Devices and Accessories: Prescribes, selects and dispenses the appropriate hearing aid and trains the patient and family in its use. Regularly adjusts hearing aids to ensure proper functioning and to assist patients with adjustment difficulties. Trains audiology colleagues regarding changes in technology. In order to do this, is assigned a specific hearing aid company/companies.
• Documentation: Maintains written records of initial status, such as audiological evaluation reports, and prepares summaries of hearing and hearing aid orientation progress, patient, physician and other professional correspondence. On an ongoing basis develops protocols, databases, and student/new employee handbooks.
• Collaboration: Attends patient review conferences, clinics, in-service, education classes and meetings as necessary in order to gather and exchange patient treatment information. Mentors audiology/speech pathology students with various levels of education. Leads and participates in research related to pediatric audiology or otolaryngology.
• Accountability/Productivity: Maintains productivity to support department goals.
• Professional Development: Provides in-service training and community lectures (regarding auditory development and disorders) upon request of supervisor. Attends conferences for continuing education to keep informed of developments in the field and regarding the needs of the department. Supervises university graduate students during their practicum experience by monitoring their performance and instructing them as necessary.
• Cost Containment: Monitors accuracy of audiological testing equipment and calibrates same regularly.
• Personal/Development Goals: Recognizes needs for improvement in clinical areas and core competencies.

Experience

• 1+ years experience in a pediatric medical setting to provide experience with hearing aid fitting, special testing methods for children, infants and multiply handicapped and to gain knowledge regarding the special needs of children in the difficult-to-test pediatric population, i.e. cleft palate, Down syndrome, VCF, NICU, developmentally delayed, and the like

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, sociology, acoustics and phonetics, Auditory rehabilitation, cochlear implants, cerumen management, auditory processing, hearing aid technology and clinical pediatric audiology skills as acquired through completion of a clinical doctorate of audiology (AuD) degree.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with patient and families in providing treatment and with physicians, speech-language pathologists and other closely related clinical professionals in order to gather and exchange patient information.
• Analytical skills necessary to administer and evaluate standardized audiological tests, evaluate audiometric results, develop treatment plans and monitor patient progress.
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to fifty percent of work time when evaluating and observing patients, maintaining patient documentation and calibrating equipment and adjusting hearing aids.
• Ability to walk and stand for up to ten percent of work time when preparing work area and setting up equipment.

Licenses and Certifications

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council required
• License Audiologist (156) - State of Wisconsin required

Patient Care Responsibility

Provides care appropriate to patient population and as described in applicable policies and procedures.

Required for All Jobs

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job. Employment is at-will. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Children’s Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law.

Certifications/Licenses

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council
• License Audiologist (156) - State of Wisconsin

Dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children

We are the region's only independent healthcare system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and their families a wide range of care and support - everything from routine care for ear aches or sore throats to life saving advances and treatment options. Our academic partner, The Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well-respected doctors to our team. Together we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best. Learn more about our affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the power of academic medicine.