Job Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 12 month position of Senior Audiologist (Grade 10) in the Audiology Department, at Jersey General Hospital.

Senior Audiologists have extensive clinical experience and are responsible for performing a wide range of advanced scientific, clinical, and technical assessments and procedures, on patients referred to the Audiology Department, with a variety of audiological conditions and balance disorders, ensuring high quality evidence-based care is consistently delivered. They are involved in providing rehabilitation to more complex patients. They will also provide assistance to less experienced staff, supervise students, and train others in their area of expertise.

For more information, please contact Ruzvana Zavier - r.zavier@health.gov.je 

Job Purpose

Senior Audiologists have extensive clinical experience and are responsible for performing a wide range of advanced scientific, clinical, and technical assessments and procedures, on patients referred to the Audiology Department, with a variety of audiological conditions and balance disorders, ensuring high quality evidence-based care is consistently delivered. They are involved in providing rehabilitation to more complex patients. They will also provide assistance to less experienced staff, supervise students, and train others in their area of expertise.

Statutory Responsibilities

Active engagement, participation and compliance with any other statutory responsibilities applicable to the role, as amended from time to time. This role is politically restricted. The jobholder is not permitted to undertake political activity involving standing for election to the States or as a Parish Constable, or publicly supporting someone who is standing for election or playing a public part in any political manner.

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

1. Independently manage pre-screening questions and otoscopy, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, ULLs, speech testing and ear impressions on adult and paediatric patients, depending on speciality. As well as develop and deliver an individual management plan of care, in consultation with patients and relevant others (significant other), based on individual patient needs/wishes and good practice.

2. Support Ear, Nose and Throat clinics providing accurate diagnostic hearing tests, tympanometry and OAEs for patients aged 3+, using BSA protocols.

3. Fit, verify, follow up and review hearing aids for patients who are aged 18 and over, who may have complex needs. If trained in paediatric assessments and hearing aid fittings and with the agreement of the Paediatric Audiologist and/or Chief Audiologist can fit, verify, and review hearing aids and take impressions for all the paediatric demographic.

4. Manage repairs for patients aged 3 and over. Take ear impressions and fit ear moulds for patients aged 7 months and over.

5. Participate in formal departmental audit, outcome measures, patient satisfaction questionnaires and such-like and analyse consequent data to improve departmental processes and the effectiveness of interventions.

6. Perform a range of complex clinical investigations, procedures and/or processes to deliver patient care according to an agreed Individual Management Plan (IMP). Examples are diagnostic tympanometry; diagnostic reflexes; reflex decay; diagnostic OAEs; speech audiometry; advanced speech testing. Manage cases of sudden hearing loss, onset of tinnitus/dizziness and infection.

7. Develop interventions and rehabilitation programmes based upon autonomous clinical opinion. This includes adults auditory, tinnitus, balance assessments, and paediatric assessments. They will be involved in complex medical history taking and motivational counselling, in addition to undertaking cerumen removal (if qualified).

8. Perform a range of other clinical investigations, as and when required, to deliver patient care such as diagnostic acoustic reflex testing, reflex decay interpretation, speech audiometry and newborn hearing screening. On a weekly basis they may also undertake home visits for assessments/hearing rehabilitation and visit schools, offering Audiological expertise.

9. Participate in departmental and technical meetings, attend appropriate courses and conferences on-island and off-island, participate in annual performance review and appraisal to continually improve and develop, in line with personal and departmental objectives.

10. Provide training, support and mentorship to less experienced staff, trainee audiologists and students. This will include signing-off students competence in their individual record of clinical practice (IRCP) as well as training other healthcare professionals to understand the basic communication needs of Deaf and hard of hearing people via ‘Link Worker Scheme’.

11. Act as an advocate for patients providing them with information and directing them to the relevant support services where appropriate. As well as be responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of patients within their care and contact, whilst being aware of and complying with all relevant policies and procedures.

12. Manage, advise and support audiology staff through direct line management and clinical supervision to ensure that staff receive the support they need to deliver their roles to the best of their abilities. As well as ensure HR policies, procedures and documentation are completed, including absence management and performance management.

13. Exhibit professional behaviour and attitude, being a positive role model for colleagues, patients, and their families. Act in a manner which illustrates respect for privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.

Qualifications

BSc in Audiology/ MSc in Audiology/GDip Audiology/PGDip Audiology/ BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) or equivalent.

Registration with RCCP/AHCS and/or HCPC / Registration with BAA and/or BSA.

Master’s degree in Audiology

BSL Level one.

Deaf Awareness Certificate.

Knowledge

Competent in conducting audiological testing and rehabilitation using BSA protocols for patients with complex needs.

Clinical expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge and experience.

Significant specialist knowledge acquired over several years.

Maintain professional development by continued studies, including attendance at relevant courses and conferences and networking.

Technical Work Based Skills

The ability to communicate with deafened adults and have deaf awareness.

Computer and keyboard skills.

Manipulation of tools/drill/grinder to adjust ear moulds and to perform repairs.

Connection and programming of various hearing aids including incorporating real-ear measurements.

Competent in taking ear impressions to make ear moulds for patients

General skills / attributes

Effective communication skills to explain results. 

Understand client needs and jointly develop an individual management plan

Experience

Proven competence via the BSc or MSc practical placement plus significant hospital based placement.

Experience in a specialist field with proven competence allowing for some autonomous working.

Experience in Paediatric Audiology and Vestibular assessments is desirable

Personal Attributes

Appointees to this role will be required to adhere to and perform their duties in line with the standards identified in the States of Jersey tier 5 core accountabilities attributes and behaviour indicators.