Job summary
Employer heading
Trainee Audiologist (Senior Assistant Audiologist)
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Have you ever thought of training to become and Audiologist or are you already undertaking training and wish to join the NHS?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Audiology Department at Torbay Hospital in the beautiful location of South Devon. You will join the Department as a Senior Assistant Audiologist but there will be opportunity to undertake further training to qualify as a hearing aid Audiologist and potentially as a fully qualified Audiologist in the future.
The Department delivers an Audiology service across 8 localities and domiciliary visits for those patients who cannot attend hospital appointments.
The ideal candidate will be reliable, motivated and enthusiastic. In order to undertake further qualifications, you must have 5 GCSE’s including Maths, English and one science subject Grade 4 (c) or above and a minimum of 48 UCAS points from at least one of the following: A levels, T levels, BTEC , Access to higher education diploma, NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
You must be able to attend training courses away from home.
Main duties of the job
The SATO works alongside and assists the audiologists in a wide range of clinical and administration duties. This includes delivering a hearing aid repair service via drop in, postal and booked face to face appointments. They will also assist the Audiologists in the paediatric clinics and learning disability clinics.
The Senior Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of administrative and clerical duties within the department, including stock control (sending, receiving and ordering), ear mould processing, dealing with phone calls for patients wishing to book appointments or requesting advice.
Whilst undertaking the roles of the Assistant Audiologist, training and education will also be undertaken. This will require attendance at an institute of further education, self-study and practical Audiology training given by the Audiologists.
Working for our organisation
TSDFT catchment area covers 300 square miles from South Dartmoor to the length of coastline which stretches from the mouth of the River Exe (Dawlish), past the Teign and Dart estuaries (beyond Dartmouth). Torbay Hospital serves a resident population of approaching 300,000 people, plus about 100,000 visitors at any one time during the summer holiday season. The Audiology Service serves the population of Torbay and South Devon with a throughput of approximately 30,000 patients per annum. Patients are at the heart of everything we do, and this is reflected in the Audiology Departments ethos.
We are based at Torbay Hospital and run audiology clinics across 8 localities in the South Devon area. We offer domiciliary visits for those patients who cannot attend the hospital. We were awarded the UKAS IQIPS accreditation in 2014 and have continued to successfully maintain this year on year.
The Department has around 30 members of staff working across a range of grades, roles and specialisms. These specialisms include direct access hearing assessment clinic for adults, hearing assessment clinics for neonates and paediatrics, direct access tinnitus clinics, specialist adult rehabilitation services including hearing therapy, bone anchored hearing devices, vestibular assessments and a learning disability service.
We we can offer is the opportunity to undertake further qualifications to eventually become a qualified Audiologist.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Forms of communication may include:
Internal:
External:
Communication with patients/carers who may have varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound.
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Analytical and judgement |
· Will triage referrals from other disciplines including GP, Audiology, ENT and Physiotherapy and communicate to the booking teams what appointment is needed · Will analyse and interpret information gathered from patient and referral, to identify areas where assistance is required. |
Planning and organisation |
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Physical skills |
· Good manual dexterity for dealing with small component parts in hearing aids · Coordination and sensory skills used daily for precise fitting and adjustment to high tech digital hearing aids, insertion of probe tubes into a patient’s ear, and taking aural impressions · Computer keyboard skills to ensure accurate electronic patient record keeping and perform Audiological tests. · Ability to be able to travel to various hospital and clinics around the Torbay and South Devon Area. |
Patient and client care |
· To deal with requests for advice regarding hearing aid issues over the phone or by telecare |
Policy and service development |
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Finance, equipment and other resources |
· All staff have a responsibility to ensure equipment is in good working order and ensure daily, weekly and monthly checks/calibration are undertaken, reporting where necessary. · All staff have a responsibility to ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively. · All staff have a responsibility to ensure effective and conservative use of resources. · All staff have a responsibility to ensure low stock items are identified and added to the ordering spread sheet. |
People management and training |
· To assist in the training and supervision of new members of staff and students.
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Information technology and administrative duties |
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Responsibility for development |
· To attend a recognised institute of further education to undertake the foundation degree in Audiology (potentially via the apprenticeship route). · To ensure time is managed to allow for self-study. · To participate fully in training opportunities. |
Freedom to act |
· Assist in the day to day running of the Department · Prioritise and manage own workload on a day-to-day basis. |
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 5 GCSE’s including Maths and English and one science subject Grade 4 (c) or above.
- Minimum of 48 UCAS points from at least one of the following: A levels, T levels, BTEC, Access to higher education diploma, NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Already undertaking Audiology Course
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Competent in using IT
- Experience in working with the general public
- Excellent communication skills written and verbal
Desirable criteria
- Experience of dealing with hearing loss
Skills
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in an NHS setting
- Evidence of organised methodical approach to work
- Evidence of being able to undertake study as well as working
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Claire Rockett
- Job title
- Head of Audiology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01803 655125
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