We are looking for a paediatric audiologist to join our dynamic team. The post-holder will provide routine paediatric assessments (in Tier 2 clinics) and participate in paediatric hearing aid fitting and review appointments (in Tier 3 clinics).
The post-holder will be required to work across sites to cover clinics at Royal Surrey County Hospital, including its outreach sites and domiciliary visits. Access to a car is highly recommended.
The post holder should have experience in providing the audiological assessment and/or habilitation of children and young people aged 0-18 years.
Within our department, there will be various opportunities for career development and training. Participation and completion of the Paediatric Assessment/Rehabilitation Modules of the BAA Higher Training Scheme is actively encouraged. Staff members are also supported to attend external specialist training courses.
All staff members benefit from a wide range of in-house educational and professional development opportunities - these comprise of clinical training in specialist areas; monthly team meetings, and monthly case study presentations. Audiologists are also encouraged to participate in ongoing research projects undertaken within the service.
Please note this role may involve 7-day a week working to support the service. Core hours of service are 9am - 5pm. Flexible working patterns can be discussed at interview.
The post holder will be responsible for the provision of clinical audiology services, training and service development, in close working with the Team Leads of the Paediatric Service, the Clinical Lead of Paediatric Audiology and the Head of Department.
This will cover the maintenance of demonstrably high professional standards in respect of:
The post holder will:
1. Be responsible for the day to day running and routine organisation and operation of Paediatric Diagnostic and Rehabilitation clinics. This includes dedicated outreach clinics and Paediatric domiciliary clinics.
2. Perform, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of tests related to hearing disorders, including advanced techniques.
3. Provide a comprehensive range of expert diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services for paediatric patients of all ages, including determining care plans for individual patients and involving carers and families as appropriate.
4. Undertake comprehensive range of technical activities relating to the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids with children.
5. Assist the Paediatric team leads in management duties.
6. Participate in the department’s rotational scheme providing services at different locations and domiciliary visits, to maintain a wide experience in a variety of clinics. This may also include covering adult audiology clinics as per service requirement.
7. Undertake clinical supervision and training of junior staff and trainees.
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.
We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients’ homes across Guildford and Waverley.
We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.
To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
1. Provide clinical sessions and be responsible for the routine operation of clinical sessions and support the financial management of the Audiology Service at RSFT, working as the designated lead audiologist when at an outreach clinic.
2. Work according to the policies, protocols and procedures of the Audiology service and will apply for advice and guidance from the Clinical lead for Paediatric Services and the Head of Audiology services as necessary.
3. Be responsible for the supervision and training of students and junior staff and participate in the development of audiology staff and service development.
4. Work as part of a team with younger children and school age children. Perform, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of tests that assess disorders of hearing system.
5. Support the development and maintenance of a family-friendly and user-friendly paediatric service.
6. Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities associated with the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids. Update knowledge and awareness of recent developments in hearing aid technology on a regular basis; and have the skill to apply this information to the use and application of appropriate hearing aids.
7. Be responsible for the careful and accurate recording of patient sessions and clinical observations on Audit base and other patient information systems. Be involved in archiving paper based data onto computer systems and writing in patient notes in compliance with Trust policies.
8. Have the judgemental skills needed in performing and choosing the tests required in supporting ENT clinics, complex and special needs clinics based on the patient history.
9. Undertake advanced audiological techniques to assist consultant staff with the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients.
10. Use clinical and non-clinical resources efficiently and effectively. Be responsible for the care, use and daily calibration of equipment, reporting on any faults and acting on faults reported by junior staff so that repair and maintenance of equipment can be maintained at a high standard.
11. Be required to communicate complex information to patients and families with skill and sensitivity. Be able to explain audiological test results (including complex technical information), and reassure parents and families. The post holder should be able adapt their communication style to ensure that the patient/family are able to understand them; and be prepared to break bad news to families who have considerable hearing difficulties and use alternative modes of communication.
12. Be required to offer counselling and support in emotive and sensitive situations; sympathetically handling the expectations, questions, frustrations and distress of patients and of parents of hearing impaired babies and children.
13. Liaise with the Sensory Support Teachers and other support services within Surrey and Hampshire.
14. Be able to deal with aggressive or confrontational patients/parents by calming the situation.
15. Provide specialist advice counselling and support to patients, parents and children to help minimise disability due to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems. Be able to advise reluctant hearing aid users of the potential benefits of using amplification.
16. Advise on assistive listening devices and other services for those with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems referring to other agencies, specialised staff and volunteers as appropriate.
17. Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide specialist advice on technical issues and audiological support.
18. Implement good working practices in compliance with the Trust’s Human Resources policies.
19. Take responsibility for handling complaints and any concerns arising from patients in outreach clinics or RSCH in collaboration with the Clinical Lead for Paediatric services and Head of Audiology Services.
20. Have computer keyboard skills and the knowledge to be able to use the departmental IT systems including the patient management system.
21. Participate in research and development as may be necessary, and in audit and monitoring performance in order to assure the quality of services and strive for continued improvement in service delivery.
22. Implement new procedures and make recommendations proposing changes to working practice in own area of work in liaison with the senior team with the aim of improving the patient’s experience and the service.
23. Update their own professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new technologies and audiological techniques and be responsible for ensuring Continued Professional Development as required for professional registration.
24. Be responsible for planning own time management and that of junior staff to ensure effective use of clinical time.
25. Be responsible for undertaking monthly activity reports in the outreach clinics to monitor clinical activity and enable financial management.
26. Maintain good and effective communication with all staff and the general public through the management framework of the department.
27. Comply at all times with the RSCH and outreach hospitals’ Health and Safety policies in particular following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the Trust’s Incident Reporting system.
28. Co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
29. Maintain and participate in clinical governance of the Audiology Services.
30. Respect confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
31. Actively support and assist colleagues across the Trust to achieve their personal and RSFT objectives and the post holder will receive similar support.
32. Take responsibility for the operational management of the Audiology service in an outreach Hospital.
33. The post holder will be responsible for managing and supervising junior staff working in the outreach hospital.
