Highly Specialised Vestibular Practitioner in Audiology

Job summary
The Adult Audiology service in East Lancashire is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our busy team. Our work covers sites across East Lancashire in both hospital and community based clinics, and we are committed to providing the highest standard of care to patients in our Area,

The highly specialised practitioner is a practicing healthcare professional who contributes towards and develops the provision of a comprehensive Audiology Service. The post holder will undertake clinical work at a highly specialist level daily, while working with the department lead.

They will deliver expertise in the highly complex specialist assessment and diagnosis of hearing and balance problems. They will be responsible for some areas of development for the Audiology service.

Main duties of the job
Your role will include the below duties, with further information available within the Person Specification and Job Description:

• The post holder will lead teams in Adult Hearing Aid Services This will involve specialist knowledge over several disciplines, that has been acquired over time.
• Provide a high level of audiological rehabilitation and counselling. This will include complex adult hearing clinics, and adult side lead for paediatric transition clinics.
• Be responsible for monitoring activity, capacity and demand for complex cases including potential waiting lists and raising any concerns with service lead.
• Will undertake prioritising and triaging referrals to appropriate staff, ensuring necessary resources are available using the IT based booking and waiting list patient management system in keeping with both the 6 and 18 week pathways. They will be responsible for highlighting and addressing any referrals that may need to be expedited such as sudden hearing losses which can result in permanent hearing loss.

About us
East Lancashire is a diverse area, and our staff group reflects this, each bringing different skills to the team.

We are made up of Audiology Practitioners, Audiologists and Clinical Scientists, with strong multidisciplinary links.

Job responsibilities
You will be working alongside the Clinical and Professional Lead for Audiology and the rest of the team to provide a Safe, Personal and Effective service.

Your role will include:

• Undertaking diagnostic behavioural and objective audiological assessments.
• Taking earmould impressions.
• Managing hearing aid users of all ages, including undertaking initial hearing aid fitting, validation, verification and modification as required.
• Working under the supervision of the Clinical and Professional Lead for Audiology.
• Leading in complex assessment clinics alongside audiologists for assessments are not possible or where conflicting results may be obtained on testing.
• Line managing the Assistant Audiology Practitioners.
• Providing training in audiology to BSc Audiology placement students, audiology practitioners and assistant audiology practitioners, junior medical staff and other professional groups.

Qualifications
Essential

• MSc in Audiology, with CAC/STP & registered as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC OR BSC in Audiology or equivalent & registered as a Healthcare Scientist with the AHCS
• CPD portfolio up to date and maintained

Desirable

• Basic management qualification
• Clinical Educator training
• Introductory counselling course/certificate

Knowledge
Essential

• Post registration experience working in audiology
• Fitting, verifying and evaluating NHS hearing aids
• Performing a range of diagnostic tests
• Experience in audit and/or research

Desirable

• Experience of service development

Skills
Essential

• Computer literate
• Excellent written and oral interpersonal skills
• Ability to diffuse conflict situations
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations

Desirable

• BSL qualification

Previous Experience
Essential

• Training of junior staff and/or students
• Line management experience

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.

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).