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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Provide clinical sessions and be responsible for the routine operation of clinical sessions, primarily in the Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Audiology service for both adults and children. Clinical work is undertaken primarily at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, but the post holder will also be required to undertake clinical work at outreach clinics and home visits where necessary.

2. Formulate and deliver patient-centred and evidence-based therapy programmes for clients with complex needs, e.g. co-morbidities of hyperacusis, tinnitus, hearing impairment and psychological disturbances.

3. Support the financial management of the Audiology Service at RSCH, and in outreach clinics, working in compliance with the policies, protocols and procedures of the Audiology Service to ensure professional standards are maintained.

4. Work according to the policies, protocols and procedures of the service as the designated lead audiologist at an outreach clinic and will apply for advice and guidance from senior staff and the Head of Service as necessary.

5. Be responsible for the supervision and training of students and junior staff and participate in the development of Audiology staff and service development.

6. Perform, assess, interpret and report on a comprehensive range of testing activities related to disorders of hearing and balance, including advanced techniques, working with adults and school-age children and working as part of a team with younger children.

7. Provide a comprehensive range of expert diagnostic and rehabilitation audiology services for all ages of patient supporting the development and maintenance of family-friendly and user-friendly services.

8. Undertake a comprehensive range of technical activities related to the fitting and fine tuning of hearing aids with adults and children and have the skill to apply information to the use and application of appropriate hearing aids.

9. Be responsible for the careful and accurate recording of patient sessions and clinical observations archiving paper based data onto computer systems and writing in patient notes in compliance with Trust policies.

10. Have the judgemental skills needed in performing and choosing the audiology tests required to support ENT clinics.

11. Be responsible for not wasting resources by careful use and good judgement and 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.

12. Be required to communicate complex information to patients with skill, reassurance and understanding and explain audiological results and technical information which may involve breaking bad news to adults who have considerable hearing difficulties and poor communication skills. The postholder will adapt their communication method to ensure that the patient is able to understand them using communication tactics that are optimal for the patient.

13. Be responsible for liaising and communicating with other support services.

14. Undertake advanced audiological techniques to assist consultant staff with the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric and adult patients.

15. Be required to offer counselling and support in emotive and sensitive situations sympathetically handling the expectations, questions, frustrations and distress of parents of deaf babies and children.

16. Be able to deal with aggressive or confrontational patients by calming the situation and be able to persuade reluctant hearing aid users to have a more positive attitude.

17. Provide specialist advice counselling and support to patients and parents and children to help minimise disability due to hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis problems.

18. 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.

19. Work closely with clinicians and other professionals to provide specialist advice on technical issues and audiological support.

20. Implement good working practices in compliance with the Trust’s Human Resources policies.

21. Take responsibility for handling complaints and any concerns arising for patients in outreach clinics or RSCH in collaboration with the Head of the Service.

22. Have computer key board skills and the knowledge to be able to use the departmental IT systems including the patient management system.

23. 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.

24. Implement new procedures and make recommendations proposing changes to working practice in own area of work in liaison with senior audiology staff and Head of Service with the aim of improving the patient’s experience of the service.

25. Update their own professional knowledge, keeping abreast of new technologies and audiological techniques and be responsible for ensuring Continued Professional Development as required for state registration.

26. Be responsible for planning own time management and that of junior staff to ensure effective use of clinical time.

27. Be responsible for undertaking monthly activity reports in the outreach clinics to monitor clinical activity and enable financial management.

28. Maintain good and effective communication with all staff and the general public through the management framework of the department.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Maintain and participate in clinical governance of the Audiology Services.

32. Respect confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

33. Actively support and assist colleagues across the Trust to achieve their personal and RSCH objectives and the post holder will receive similar support.

34. Take responsibility for the operational management of the Audiology Service in a major outreach Hospital.

The post holder will be responsible for managing and supervising junior staff working in the outreach Hospital