Job summary
- Main area
- Audiology Apprentice/Assistant Technical Officer in Audiology
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent: Apprenticeship role - 5 year apprenticeship based at Northampton Adult audiology department with designated time to attend study sessions, complete assignments and to complete in service training.
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (5 days a week - Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 265-6906688
- Employer
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Northampton General Hospital
- Town
- Northampton
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 per annum / pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/04/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Technical officer/Audiology apprentice
Band 3
Job overview
This is a very exciting new opportunity to study for a BSc in Audiology whilst working in an audiology department as an Assistant technical officer (ATO) in the recently formed countywide collaboration.
You will join the adult Audiology service, at Northampton General Hospital, as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)/Audiology apprentice. This position gives you the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship in audiology, to eventually qualify as an Audiologist. This is a full time position with time to attend lectures, complete assignments and complete in service training/assessments. The qualification is completed over a 5 year period: you will be working and studying along side the role of Assistant Technical Officer in Audiology
You will be trained to perform basic hearing aid repairs, advise and provide guidance to patients regarding their hearing.
You will be coordinating the maintenance and calibration of the test environment and maintain adequate stock levels for clinics to take place.
Main duties of the job
Part of this role will involve assisting reception by seeing patients with enquiries regarding accessories, hearing aid use, simple repairs, supply of hearing aid consumables and trouble shooting issues with devices before a formal repair appointment is requested.
As the apprenticeship progresses the successful candidate will be trained to complete basic audiometry (Hearing tests), hearing aid fittings, History taking and the other roles associated with that of an audiologist under supervision.
You will be trained to perform basic hearing aid repairs, advise and provide guidance to patients regarding their hearing.
You will be coordinating the maintenance and calibration of the test environment and maintain adequate stock levels for clinics to take place.
Part of this role will involve assisting reception by seeing patients with enquiries regarding accessories, hearing aid use, simple repairs, supply of hearing aid consumables and trouble shooting issues with devices before a formal repair appointment is requested.
As the apprenticeship progresses the successful candidate will be trained to complete basic audiometry (Hearing tests), hearing aid fittings, History taking and the other roles associated with an audiologist.
Working for our organisation
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
GENERAL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform basic hearing aid repairs and maintenance.
Offer advice to patients and their families regarding deafness and amplification.
To support audiologists in clinic where required.
To work as part of the team by meeting and greeting patients when they arrive in the department.
Work closely with Department manager to record, monitor and audit
hearing aid repairs, consumables and the postal service.
Coordinate the maintenance and calibration of the test environment and maintain adequate stock levels for clinics to take place.
Maintain stock for the department using the trust ordering system.
Update the Patient Management system (Auditbase) , to enable accurate patient records.
Be actively involved in service development and improvement that
directly affects patient care.
Be aware of Safeguarding issues and adhere to local procedures.
Liaise with other hospital departments, GPs and other health care agencies when required.
Provide cross-cover within team during busy times.
As the apprenticeship progresses, this job description will extend to include:
Basic hearing assessments (PTA), tympanometry and Otoacoustic Emission testing
Impression taking - the making of new ear moulds.
Detailed History taking and a good understanding off red flags and referral pathways.
Non complex hearing aid fittings.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Direct experience working in a role dealing with the public
- An awareness of the impact of hearing loss on patients and their families.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a busy health based setting
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ3 or equivalent, or equivalent level of education, training or experience
Desirable criteria
- Level 1 or equivalent British Sign Language
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Good IT skills and attention to detail
- Able to communication clearly at all times.
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload is a busy environment under own initiative and know when to escalate situation appropriately
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a wider team.
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential criteria
- Good understanding of working as part of a team
- Calm and sensitive to any situation
- Able to relate well with patients and their families and colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to focus on a task with multiple interruptions
- Excellent interpersonal skills – can demonstrate sensitivity, ability to show empathy
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of the importance of safeguarding
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Trkulja
- Job title
- Head Paediatric Audiologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01604 545810
- Additional information
If you would like any further details or to arrange an informal visit please contact Sarah Trkulja.
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