Graduate Paediatric Audiologist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Audiologist with a keen interest in paediatric audiology to join our large and dynamic team. This newly created role is perfect for for an early audiology professional or new audiology graduate to begin their journey as a Paediatric Audiologist. As part of this role you will receive training in paediatric assessment and paediatric re(habilitation) in children from 6 months of age. During the initial clinical training you will work with our current Paediatric Audiologists to grow and develop your skills before beginning to work independently with your own caseload. Enrollment on training programmes such as the BAA Higher Training Scheme will also be encouraged and supported. This mainly clinical role will keep you busy with a full range of paediatric assessments and (re)habilitation challenges, together with some service development responsibilities. The role will offer the opportunity to grow and develop as a paediatric audiologist as part of a team that strives to continually improve. The training for this role will initially focus on hearing assessment in children aged 5+, before introducing hearing assessment in younger children and paediatric hearing aids. When you are confident with all aspects of the role, as a Graduate Paediatric Audiologist you will be responsible for leading and assisting on behavioral hearing assessment clinics and on hearing aid reviews in children from 6 months of age. You will also be responsible for assisting with new paediatric hearing aid fittings and routine hearing aid reviews in infants. Alongside our main site at St Thomas’ we run regular clinics at our satellite sites in Gracefield Gardens (Lambeth), Sunshine House (Southwark) and Kaleidoscope (Lewisham). The majority of the clinical team work compressed hours (08:00-18:00) across 4 days, and typically the post holder would be based at St Thomas’ 2-3 days a week and at a satellite clinic 1-2 days a week. Following the COVID19 pandemic we have also embedded Remote Care into our clinical pathways offering team members the opportunity to occasionally work from home. The Children & Young People’s Audiology Centre in St Thomas’ Hospital is recognised as a comprehensive non-consultant led audiological centre providing a high quality service for the children residing in South East London. We have developed an innovative specialist hearing assessment service for autistic and complex needs children known as Hummingbird Clinic and have involvement in a number of national and international research projects. The quality of the service has been acknowledged by being awarded the BAA team of year for 2018. Professional/Clinical responsibilities

• To work independently as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within professional boundaries. To be ultimately accountable to the Clinical Lead and Head of Service, 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 case notes and/or medical notes, 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 undertake behavioural clinical assessments of hearing in children over 6 months of age, in line with departmental practice and protocols, using various behavioural test procedures such as play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry, puretone audiometry and speech testing as well as objectives test such as otoacoustic emission testing operating a comprehensive range of electromedical equipment and analysing and interpreting clinical data, under direct or remote supervision by more senior staff.
• To assist in the selection, fitting and evaluation of personal hearing aids and other devices for hearing rehabilitation for children of all ages, in accordance with departmental practice and protocols, using digital hearing aid programming equipment and recognised fitting protocols, To provide demonstrations, advice and counselling to the parents and families of hearing-impaired children and, where appropriate, the children themselves.
• To produce comprehensive and accurate reports for relevant professionals, educational services and parents, on the assessment and management of children seen by him or her.
• To maintain complete and accurate records about children seen by him or her on local and national databases.
• The postholder is required to work at any of the Paediatric Audiology Service community sites in line with the service needs
• To carry out routine audiological assessments on family members of children identified with hearing loss as part of aetiological investigations
• To carry out hearing aid repair appointments including impression taking for children over the age of 5 independently and for younger children under supervision
• To support the assistant audiologist with clinic room preparation, maintaining stock levels including hearing aid loan stock and general supplies

Management and Leadership

• To assist in the maintenance of the facilities and equipment of the Service, in line with departmental protocols and practice, and to report problems to senior staff.
• To assist in the collection and analysis of data for clinical audit, reports and service development proposals as required.
• To attend planning and administrative meetings, both internal and external to the Trust, as required by the Service Manager
• To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service
• To provide support to the assistant audiologist as required

Clinical development, teaching and research

• To occasionally participate in research and service development projects, as agreed with the Clinical Lead and Service Manager.
• To fulfil the requirements of professional registration and the Continuing Professional Development programme of the relevant professional body.
• To maintain current awareness of audiological issues, and competence in relevant aspects of audiology, through the reading of audiological journals and attendance at meetings, conferences and courses, as agreed with the Service Manager
• To attend mandatory training courses, participate in the Trust appraisal scheme and seek to further own professional and personal development