Job summary
- Main area
- Volunteers
- Grade
- Voluntary
- Contract
- Voluntary: Applicants are required to commit to a minimum period 6 months
- Hours
- 3 hours per week (Fridays - 09:00-12:00 or 12:00-16:00)
- Job ref
- 317-Vols-Audiology-Sup
- Employer
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Freeman Hospital
- Town
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Closing
- 31/12/2026 08:00
Employer heading
Audiology Hearing Aid Support
Voluntary
Job overview
To provide a dedicated, drop-in support service for hearing aid users within the Freeman audiology department. You will ensure patients have immediate access to essential maintenance, preventing hearing loss caused by equipment failure and reducing the need for formal clinical appointments.
Main duties of the job
The difference your contribution will make to the service
• Reduce Patient Anxiety: You provide peace of mind by fixing hearing aid issues on the spot, ensuring patients aren't left in silence.
• Increase Department Efficiency: By handling simple maintenance, you free up clinical assistants to focus on complex face-to-face repair appointments.
• Improve Access: Your presence maintains a vital "tubing hatch" service that would otherwise be unsustainable due to staffing constraints.
• Enhance Experience: You will help shorten wait times and contribute to higher patient satisfaction and fewer formal complaints.
Working for our organisation
Our Voluntary Workforce
The Newcastle Hospitals Trust values the involvement of local people as volunteers in activities that enhance the patient, visitor and carer experience, and also support staff in delivering high quality health care.
Your offer of voluntary help is very much appreciated, and you will receive a warm welcome no matter which area of volunteering you choose.
Without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to deliver the 'outstanding' care and service that we do today.
Important note on completion of the application form
REFERENCES: Candidates are required to provide the address, telephone number and work email address of TWO referees, who should be either a current or former employer, senior work colleague, teacher, tutor or person of good standing in the community, and certify that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application. PLEASE NOTE: That we cannot accept references from Friends or Family members.
DBS: The majority of our Volunteer roles require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Check. The volunteer services team will apply for this on your behalf, as part of your pre-engagement checks. If you already hold an enhanced DBS and it is registered on the DBS Update Service, then you will need to provide evidence and present your original DBS certificate to the Volunteer Services Team during your ID check appointment.
EMAIL: All correspondence to you will be made via email, therefore please ensure that you check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• Fitting and replacing tubing for hearing aids, specifically assisting patients who struggle to do this themselves.
• Issuing replacement batteries and tubing to patients on a drop-in basis.
• Documenting patient attendance and the specific actions taken to support service audits.
• Acting as a friendly first point of contact for patients seeking technical help.
Details of any specific skills / attributes required by volunteer:
• Strong communication skills.
• An ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.
• Manual dexterity.
• Good record keeping.
• Ability to use a laptop.
Person specification
Specific skills / attributes required by volunteer
Essential criteria
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- A friendly, approachable and empathetic manner
- Ability to follow guidance and know when to seek support
- Reliability and a commitment to patient confidentiality
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kathryn Fletcher
- Job title
- Senior Volunteer Services Administrator
- Email address
- [email protected]
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