Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

The Apprentice Audiologist will work closely with qualified audiologists and other staff as required, in order to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to undertake the role of Audiologist. During the training programme, and working under appropriate direction and supervision, the apprentice will be trained to carry out the duties of an audiologist:

Clinical Duties

Diagnostic duties

• To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from primary care and as referrals from ENT
• Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings
• Take medical histories of patients directly referred from primary care to exclude pathologies requiring a medical opinion
• Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
  • Accurately test adult’s hearing, and children over the age of 4 years, using pure tone audiometry, uncomfortable loudness levels, speech audiometry and other subjective tests
  • Assist senior colleagues in testing hearing of children younger than 4 years
  • Accurately perform objective tests of auditory function on children and adults, including tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emissions
  • Assist senior colleagues in advanced electrophysiological tests of hearing and balance
• Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols

Rehabilitation duties

• Take social histories and listening needs assessments in adults, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary management plans
• Take accurate aural impressions of adults and children
• Modify ear moulds using the range of laboratory equipment available
• Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:
  • Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results
  • Accurately fit digital hearing aids to adults using real ear/probe microphone measurements, and assist senior staff in fitting children and adults with learning difficulties
  • Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids and onward referral to other specialist services
• Provide counselling to patients and/or significant others regarding the nature and extent of any hearing deficit, and the options on how this could be managed
• Manage distressed or angry patients sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options
• Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems, with support from senior staff
• Ensure patients and/or significant others are fully aware of the use of any devices issued
• Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service
• Provide expert advice to other staff, including wards, health visitors and ENT

Other duties

• Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical records using the computerised patient management system and hospital records
• Provide written and verbal reports on patients to referrers and other members to the multi-disciplinary team
• Assist in keeping accurate activity statistics
• Prioritise own workload
• Take responsibility for own continual professional development
• Participate in continuous service improvement to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care
• Assist in stock and equipment management, including the carrying of equipment and stock to peripheral/ community clinics and for domiciliary services
• Ensure efficient use of resources
• Participate in departmental research and audit, and multi-centre trials
• Actively participate in departmental team meetings and training

Please see the attached JD & PS for further details