Trainee Audiology Associate Practitioner

Job Overview

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 2 YEARS DUE TO FUNDING.

If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.

This Is a 2 Year Fixed Term Training Post.

An exciting opportunity exists to enter the NHS Audiology career pathway as an Associate Practitioner in Audiology. This would particularly suit science graduates and others who wish to apply science in the direct in a healthcare role.

Individual posts will be based at Wrexham, Bodelwyddan and Bangor, within supportive Audiology departments familiar with training provision at this level.

Individuals will complete a Certificate of Higher Education in Basic Audiological Practice through block release at Swansea University. However, the majority of training will be delivered in the clinical setting, supporting a range of clinical activities but primarily caring for adult patients at the base hospital. It is anticipated that employment prospects in Wales will be promising for those completing the training scheme.

Career pathways have been developed to facilitate next step progression to roles as Audiologists for those individuals with the aptitude and commitment to do so. Further information about Audiology and the training scheme is available in the accompanying document.

Successful applicants will be expected to apply for posts in Audiology services within Wales at the end of the 2 year fixed term post.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve performing hearing assessments and assist with developing the individual care/management plans of patients with hearing loss. The overall clinical objective will be to intervene to meet the social and communication needs of patients.

The post holder will be expected to routinely demonstrate clinical judgement on a range of presenting clinical facts or scenarios, requiring analysis and comparison/selection of management options. Aside from formal training provision, clinical supervision and mentoring will be accessible during the normal schedule of the working day.

The post holder will also be required to use scientific/analytical skills within a role supporting audit and development activity within the service.

The post holder will complete an 18 month Audiology course and associated in-post training programme that will build upon their existing generic scientific knowledge and skills. They will work to locally and nationally agreed protocols. The course will provide experience in interventions with routine/non-complex hearing pathologies/disabilities for patients of all ages, but with a particular focuson developing skills in hearing testing, fitting of hearing aids and other elements of adult rehabilitation.

The post holder will work closely with the training co-ordinator/officer and more senior members of staff, supervisors and mentors to follow the curriculum for the Audiology Training Programme.

Working for our organisation

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

This post is to be based at Glan Clwyd Hospital. If you wish to be considered for the training posts at the other hospital sites, please apply for those separately.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

Person specification

Qualifications And Knowledge

Essential criteria

• 2 A level science qualifications or equivilent + scientific knowledge to at least foundation degreee, Higher National Diploma, Diploma in Higher Education or equivilent level of knowledge in a science subject
• Ability to Absorb and apply new information

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of scientific expereince e.g. in the form of degree or equivilent evidence of scientific and academic capability

Experience

Essential criteria

• Applied scientific projects, gathering data, analysis and report production

Desirable criteria

• Experience in customer focussed environment
• Experience in dealing with people
• Experience caring for others

Aptitude And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate with hearing impaired people of all ages and their families
• Digitally literate

Desirable criteria

• Deaf aware

Communication

Essential Criteria

• Able to use computer and telephone
• Clear speech to enable communication with hearing impaired people

Other

Essential criteria

• Flexibility
• Ability to prioritise own tasks and workload
• Empathy
• Able to travel between clinic sites

Desirable criteria

• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances