Senior Audiologist

About our Trust Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East. We have over 6,000 members of staff that are PROUD to Care for nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children’s, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics. We’re one of the safest and best performing Trusts in the country. We’re also one of the top trusts to work for our staff say they’re engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment. In 2020, The Trust was rated by the Care Quality Commission as Outstanding’ in the well-led and use of resources domains and Good’ in the safe, effective, caring and responsive domains. The Trust as a whole was Good’, but the Chelsea site was Outstanding’. Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing around £10 million a year in our estate. We are currently spending c. £25 million on expanding our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and redevelopment of our children’s unit at West Middlesex in partnership with our charity, CW+ and generous donors. Applications are welcomed from applicants who wish to apply for the position on the basis of a smarter or flexible working arrangement. Where candidates are successful at interview, such requests will be taken under consideration and accommodated where the needs of the service allow. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Job overview Senior Audiologist, Band 6 We are seeking an enthusiastic Audiologist to join our team. This is a full time role based solely within the adult Audiology service based at West Middlesex University Hospital. The post holder might be required to work across the Trust at any time throughout the duration of his / her contract, which may entail travel and working at different out-reach clinics. We are a dedicated team and endeavour to deliver an excellent service to our patients. We are at present a UKAS IQIPs accredited site. Improving working lives’ principles are strongly supported through flexible working, part-time / job share, self-rostering and annualised hours working. The department provides a comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation for adults covering both the community and hospital. We also provide a full Audiological service to ENT clinics (Adults and Paediatrics). The role would suit a motivated and enthusiastic individual who can work well in a team and demonstrates high levels of professionalism and patient focus. We are keen to provide excellent care to those affected with hearing difficulties, tinnitus and balance conditions. Main duties of the job The post holder will be an experienced, qualified audiologist with work experience within the NHS for a minimum of 3-5 years. They will perform work involving a significant degree of responsibility and autonomy, including activities, which are complex and non-routine including the issuing and set up of advanced & ad-hoc hearing aid technologies, as well as bespoke care for patients with advanced everyday requirements and complex needs. The post holder will be expected to do lone working at outreach clinics as requested by the Head of Department and perform domiciliary visits. Supervision of other staff including Audiologists, Technical Assistants and Audiology students will be required. He / she will work with the team to ensure that clinical and professional standards are maintained at all times. He / she will be required to manage a section on the IQIPS accreditation application of the department annually and take responsibility for maintaining and upkeep of Audits, protocols and procedures relevant to the section Working for our organisation Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East. We have nearly 7,000 members of staff that are PROUD to Care for nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children’s, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics. We’re one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We’re also one of the top trusts to work for our staff says they’re engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment. Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as Good’ in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of Good’. We’ve also been awarded an Outstanding’ rating for use of resources’ by an NHS Improvement inspection. Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing significant Capital year on year in our estate. We have recently completed a £30m expansion of our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and are planning an ambitious £60m development of an Ambulatory Diagnostics Centre at West Middlesex. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Audiological Responsibilities

To work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within professional boundaries. To be ultimately accountable to the Head of Audiology, and to seek guidance from peers or senior staff whenever necessary.
To carry out all audiological procedures according to national, professional and local protocols. To justify and document any contraindications or necessary deviation from protocol in the patient journal, seeking guidance on justification if required.
To maintain empathy and rapport with the patient during testing to maximise the quality of test results and minimise patient anxiety, including identifying the relevant concerns of the patient, any contraindications to procedures, and explaining and carrying out procedures.
To participate in the development of the adult audiology services in line with Department of Health proposals supporting the senior audiology management team.

This may include providing triage or wax removal services (appropriate training and support can be provided) To act as a local source of clinical expertise in audiology for referrers, colleagues and others, specialising in audiological science. This is inclusive of advising, teaching and training BSc / MSc audiology students and apprenticeships at all levels, both formally and informally. To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (including observation) as appropriate during encounters with patients, carers and others, where, in addition to hearing loss, there are often other barriers to communication (e.g., visual or other disabilities, developmental age, language or cultural differences, anxiety, aggression, dementia or memory loss). To include communicating information by telephone, in writing or electronically as required. To ensure the preparation of clinic rooms and equipment prior to and after clinic sessions, including safety and calibration checks. To ensure the careful use of all expensive equipment, and identification of faults in line with local procedures.

To assess and address the relevant problems and concerns of the patient and / or carer, in a holistic context. This includes explaining the nature of a hearing loss or other test results and offering appropriate advice and guidance, where there may be anxiety or other barriers to understanding or co-operation.
To follow national and local protocols for all interventions, including wax removal (as agreed and when trained), aural impressions, and hearing aid fitting and validation using specialised computerised equipment.
To ensure on-going support is available to patients via follow up, re-assessment, and maintenance sessions at the main site or at outreach clinics, in accordance with national and local protocols.
To provide advice on environmental aids and communication, and other related areas, such as management of tinnitus and hyperacusis.
Maintain knowledge and understanding of current developments within audiological profession.
Where instructed, research, implement and cascade new developments to colleagues.
To assist with Direct Access Tinnitus clinics
To assist with ABR & VNG testing clinics (training can be provide post attending of a suitable and relevant course if the post holder does not hold a MSc Advanced Audiology degree).
To carry out routine or specialised objective and behavioural audiological procedures according to local protocols for paediatric ENT requests, remaining flexible to the child’s needs.
To undertake responsibilities as a team member of paediatric ENT sessions.
Micro suction for Audiology patients

Organisational and Management Responsibilities

To support the Head of Audiology in the operational management and day to day running of Audiology services, including the supervision of junior audiologists and assistants.
To perform junior staff annual performance development reviews in line with Trust policy and standards.
To collate and monitor data relating to the Audiology services against national and locally agreed standards and to report to the Head of Service any aspect of the Audiology service and non-conformities that does not meet either national or locally agreed standards.
To communicate effectively and provide professional advice for the Trust, Local CCGs and Social services on Audiology issues and to implement smooth clinical pathways.

In particular, to obtain / provide guidance or advice from / to a variety of professionals, raise concerns about individual patients, and ensure the best possible patient care.

To ensure that the values of the Trust are reflected in the delivery of the Audiology service
To be pro-active in the implementation of UKAS IQIPS accreditation standards and in maintaining this standard of service.
Ensuring that all the performance targets are met in accordance of our AQP Service Agreements and support junior staff in this
To carry out PDRs on allocated staff and manage performance that is not to required standards. Ensuring that there are effective systems in place for personal development planning to develop the team, individuals and self to enhance performance and improve patient care
Contributing to the development of an education and training plan (apprenticeship program) to support the modernisation process and service development
Demonstrating effective use of financial resources within the department
To actively contribute to meetings both within the service and as a representative of the senior team
To actively seek opportunities for feedback from service users, incorporating these views in the service delivery and standards in order to continuously improve the quality of the Audiology service
To participate in internal and external meetings to maintain a clinical network of colleagues from outside the Hospital that may assist in future benchmarking activities and future service provision and improvements.
Participation in Departmental research, audit and development activities
Assist the Diagnostic Lead Audiologist with IT, software and equipment issues (training will be provided)
To exercise proper care in the use of all clinical, office and general stocks and supplies, including assisting in maintaining stock levels, records and stocktaking
To plan and prioritise elements of own workload, within the framework of service delivery priorities as defined by the Head of Audiology
To maintain professional status and competence, by engaging in and directing own continuous professional development, evidenced by an up-to-date portfolio for CPD in line with Trust, service, and / or regulatory bodies guidelines as appropriate

General This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his / her manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff. Person specification Education and Qualifications Essential criteria

BSc (Hons) Audiology (or Equivalent)
RCCP Registration

Desirable criteria

MSc Audiology / MSc Audiological Science or evidence that you can perform at this level
Will conduct specialist activity which requires MSc level knowledge or experience

Essential criteria

3 years post qualification NHS experience or equivalent desirable
Supervising and mentoring Audiology students (BSc & MSc)
Experience using a range of appropriate assessment, rehabilitation and management interventions for service users.
To have attended post qualification courses
Unsupervised Paediatric ENT Testing and VRA testing

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of AQP contract and experience in pathway monitoring
Experience of UKAS IQIPS accreditation management experience
Experience of undertaking research, evaluation or audit of practice
Experience and knowledge in Tinnitus Rehabilitation Clinics
Experience and knowledge in ABR & Vestibular clinics
Experience in carrying out Performance Reviews for staff
Micro suction on Audiology patients

Additional Information The Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all its employees as well as maintaining a workforce that broadly reflects the local communities we serve. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, religion or belief or sexual orientation. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can also be made for any candidates with a disability.