Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical duties:

• To act as designated lead in all diagnostic activity as agreed with the Head of Service, to ensure a high quality service within the Audiology Department
• Responsible for overseeing the outcome data for specific department audits and support the clinical lead in the audit programme.
•  Shared responsibility with Audiology leads for the routine aspects of the work within the audiology and hearing aid department, which will include hearing and vestibular diagnostic assessment, Tinnitus assessments and hearing aid services to adult patients.
• Responsible for the dissemination and use of clinical protocols for all clinical pathways within the Audiology service, proposing and implementing change where identified and necessary in line with current evidence based practice. To monitor and manage staff adherence to protocols. To support the other Audiology leads in the management and improvement of local protocols.
• Ensure the referral pathways are adhered to within the service to meet national targets
• Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and assist in providing reports as appropriate.
• Ensure that safeguarding process for children and vulnerable adults are managed throughout the service, including access to training and local policies where appropriate.
• Responsible for the assessment, differential diagnosis, formulation of treatment plans, writing assessment reports, providing appropriate intervention and evaluation of treatment outcomes for each individual patient.
• Routine and complex assessment of hearing, balance and tinnitus disorders and interpretation of test results. Adapt assessment procedures and manage the most complex patients.
• Able to provide a comprehensive diagnostic and hearing aid service to a large and diverse population including patients with severe to profound hearing loss, complex needs and intellectual disabilities.
• Expert knowledge of the function and characteristics of the complete range of hearing aid systems is expected together with a high level of expertise in fitting these instruments to the adult population.
• Take a case history from patient, parents or carers and to be able to interpret the information to guide patient individual management plan.
• Comprehensive rehabilitation techniques, including counselling distressed patients / carers about hearing loss and associated problems.
• Assessing suitability for hearing aids including CROS/BICROS devices and carrying out appropriate intervention or referring to a CI team.
• Ensure that all patients are assessed accurately, and by the most suitable combination of clinical tests and procedures, to enable further clinical and medical decisions to be made regarding each patient’s management. Make autonomous decisions on 
  appropriate assessment and rehabilitation techniques used with patients.
• Perform otoscopy and take aural impressions on adults & children of all ages according to BSA recommended procedures, selection of appropriate ear mould, and modification.
• Ensure that daily calibration and safety checks are carried out on equipment.
• Ensure clinical rooms are prepared and stocked for use.
• Demonstrate skills in conflict resolution and competent negotiation skills when dealing with difficult or challenging situations or members of the public, including the discussion of cases with other clinical staff.
• Able to justify the choice of clinical intervention where expert opinions may differ using knowledge and experience.
• Provide a high level of expertise in the assessment and management and treatment of patients, ensuring that accurate clinical records are maintained.
• Act as a key worker for patients such as during the transition from paediatric to adult clinics.
• Initiate, undertake and manage clinical Audits, in line with departmental audit plan.
• Implement and deliver training and development schemes within the department for staff and students / apprentices. 
• Contribute to the induction, training and assessment of students / apprentices and new staff, both within or external to the Trust.
• Provide clinical supervision in Audiological techniques, and mentoring, advice and guidance to junior staff and students / apprentices and to ensure that a clear supervision structure is in place across the service.
• Liaise with the wider Audiology team to encourage shared learning, common protocols and pathways.
• Performing micro suction on Audiology patient group.
•  Monitor compliance and Quality of services provided by ensuring that the Peer Review system are maintained, updated and audited to facilitate high quality services.
• Undertake domiciliary visits if required.
• Provide audiological services at outreach clinics.
• Knowledge of, and experience with tinnitus rehabilitation and programming of tinnitus sound masker devices.
• Knowledge of, and experience in carrying out ABR testing.
• Knowledge of, and experience in carrying out balance testing.
• Knowledge of, and experience in carrying out speech testing.

Please refer to the job description for the main duties and responsibilities. This post includes clinical as well as managerial duties.