Associate Audiologist

Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Audiology Associate to join our friendly and forward-thinking countywide Audiology team. Based primarily at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the successful candidate will become part of a well-established NHS service providing care across Worcestershire, including Kidderminster, Redditch, Evesham and other locations as required.

Worcestershire County Audiology provides a comprehensive range of adult and paediatric hearing and balance services and works closely with ENT,and other healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. The service is committed to innovation, continuous improvement and ensuring patients receive timely access to assessment, treatment and support.

We are proud of our supportive team culture and place a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, learning and development. This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience within a large and diverse Audiology service, working alongside experienced clinicians in a collaborative environment.

Applicants should hold a relevant qualification in Audiology, Healthcare Science or a related healthcare field, or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience gained within an audiology service. We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a positive and professional approach, and a commitment to delivering high standards of patient care while contributing to the ongoing development of the service.

Main duties of the job
The Audiology Associate will play a key role in supporting ENT services across Worcestershire, undertaking routine diagnostic assessments and providing accurate, timely audiological information to support patient assessment, diagnosis and management. Working within establishedguidelinesand competency frameworks, the postholder will contribute to efficient clinic delivery and help ensure patients receive a high-quality service.

In addition to supporting ENT clinics, the postholder will undertake a range of routine audiology activities under direct or indirect supervision from a registered Audiologist. This may include elements of the Direct Access Hearing Aid Pathway (DAHAP), hearing aid follow-up appointments, routine diagnostic testing and other delegated clinical duties appropriate to experience and competence.

The successful candidate will maintain accurate clinical records, work closely with audiology, ENT and administrative colleagues, and contribute to a positive patient experience.

Sponsorship for Migrant Workers
Due to Immigration Rules, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities
The Audiology Associate will support the delivery of Audiology and ENT services across Worcestershire County Audiology, working within agreed competency frameworks, departmental protocols and clinical guidelines to provide safe, effective and patient-centred care.

The postholder will undertake routine audiological activity including pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, hearing aid maintenance and repair, hearing aid troubleshooting, hearing aid performance checks and routine follow-up activity. Diagnostic testing will be undertaken primarily to support ENT clinics, ensuring accurate and timely results are available to support patient assessment, diagnosis and management. The postholder will recognise the limits of their competence and escalate unexpected findings, clinical concerns or requests for further management to a senior audiologist, ENT clinician or other appropriate member of staff.

The role includes taking routine case histories, performing otoscopy and aural impressions where trained and competency assessed, fitting and modifying earmoulds, advising patients on hearing aid use and maintenance, issuing batteries and consumables, and maintaining accurate clinical records in line with Trust, departmental and professional standards. The postholder will also undertake daily equipment checks, ensure clinic rooms are prepared and stocked appropriately, maintain hearing aid and consumable stock levels, and support the efficient day-to-day running of clinics.

The successful candidate will communicate effectively with patients, carers and colleagues, adapting communication methods to meet individual needs, including those with significant hearing loss, communication difficulties or language barriers. They will work closely with Audiology, ENT, administrative and wider multidisciplinary teams to support safe and efficient patient pathways.

The postholder will organise their own workload within agreed protocols whilst accessing senior clinical advice and supervision as required. They will work flexibly across service locations and may contribute to delegated clinical activity within adult, paediatric and community pathways where appropriately trained, competency assessed and supervised.

The role includes contributing to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and health and safety activities. Worcestershire County Audiology is currently working towards IQIPS accreditation and the successful candidate will have opportunities to participate in accreditation activities, service development projects and quality improvement initiatives that support the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred services.

The postholder will participate in mandatory training, appraisal, continuing professional development, departmental meetings and peer review activities. They may also assist with the training, induction and support of students, trainees and less experienced colleagues under the direction of senior staff. The postholder is expected to work in accordance with Trust values, professional standards, departmental procedures and relevant national guidance at all times.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Able to identify and overcome barriers to all communication with patients of all ages, including those with additional needs such as profound deafness, learning disabilities or where patients are reliant on sign or language interpreters
• Able to adapt communication to meet the needs of the situation, including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations
• Ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including times where co-operation is not guaranteed
• Listens, Values and respects the views of others (good communication/ interpersonal skills)
• Punctual and smart appearance

Other Job Requirements
Essential

• Access to car, daily.
• Current driving licence.
• Flexibility to work and place of work in general.
• Being prepared to work at outreach clinics.
• Due to the nature of our work, all posts are deemed to require Enhanced Disclosure Clearance.
• Cleared by Occupational Health.
• Eligible to work in the UK

Qualifications
Essential

• Level 5 Foundation degree in Audiology (or equivalent)
• AHCS/HCPC registered (Healthcare Science Associate- audiology) or application in progress.

Desirable

• Membership of BAA, BSA or other professional body

Experience
Essential

• Competence in routine audiology tests and rehabilitation procedures
• Comprehensive rehabilitation techniques, including counselling distressed patients / carers about hearing loss and associated problems
• Experience with children or feel confident to work with children
• Experience with Audiology specific IT systems

Desirable

• Voluntary work
• Experience of Microsoft office/Teams
• Evidence of ongoing personal development

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Good organisational/prioritisation skills
• Ability to work with high level of autonomy in clinical and non-clinical situations including assessment, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management of patients and their families.
• Ability to work calmly and methodically when under pressure from a busy and varied caseload, demonstrating good prioritisation and organisational skills
• Ability to maintain concentration in order to obtain accurate results throughout busy clinics applying information to the management of patients
• Able to work alone and as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience with Oticon hearing aids
• Experience with audits

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.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is an inclusive employer and is committed to equal opportunities.