Advanced Audiologist - Team Lead

This is an exciting opportunity within the Audiology Team to support the Paediatric Audiology service across Wolverhampton and Cannock Chase.

We are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced audiologist who has extensive experience of Advanced Paediatric Audiology, including ABR, VRA, Complex Clinics and Hearing Aid fittings, including BAHA, Bone Conduction and Air Conduction Hearing aids.

This is a 4 long day post (specific days to be negotiated) working within a UKAS accredited and PHSIP high assurance site with a small, friendly team.

We are very supportive of education and training within the department and would expect you to both support the training of others and to further develop your own knowledge and skills.

Main duties of the job

The Wolverhampton Audiology team includes clinical scientists, hearing and balance therapists, highly specialist audiologists and a relaxation therapist and is expanding. Paediatric Audiology is a small but vital part of the service.

You will participate in the work within paediatric audiology and will lead on the implementation of Paediatric Audiology "CAS" Clinics at New Cross and work collaboratively with the wider audiology team to deliver and develop a comprehensive paediatric Audiology service within the trust across all sites (New Cross, West Park, Cannock Chase and the Gem Centre). You will be responsible for maintaining service standards, identifying and managing on-site issues and will be expected to use initiative, knowledge and leadership skills within this role.

We are a training department and are fully committed to ensuring that our staff have the best training and development to ensure that they can carry out their duties to a high standard.

Job responsibilities

At Band 7 the post holder will be responsible for delivering training and expert advice to meet the clinical requirements of the Service. The post holder will support the Audiology Managers and Audiology Service Manager to ensure that clinical and professional standards are always maintained. The post holder will lead Audiology in delivering patient-centred care using streamlined pathways and will work in conjunction with the Audiology Managers and Audiology Service Manager to ensure that the designated service areas are delivered against performance targets.

The post holder will be responsible for the management and safe use of the team equipment & stock and supplies, within the limits of the designated budget.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Level 7 MSc Module/Certificate/Diploma in specialist area / Level 7 MSc in Clinical Audiology or Hearing Therapy or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise in field and CAC/STP/HTS or equivalent practical qualifications in general and specialist areas and HCPC/AHCS registered.
• Level 6 Post graduate management/leadership qualification.

Knowledge

• Theoretical and practical knowledge/specialist knowledge or advanced knowledge of the assessment and rehabilitation of hearing impaired children.
• Post graduate management/leadership training or experience as supervisor.

Skills

• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy in clinical and non clinical situations including assessment, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management of patients and their families.
• Understands the performance management and appraisal process and is able to work with team members to set achievable personal and team objectives.

Experience

• Evidence of being a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate a credible, professional approach and manner at all times.
• Experience in formulating comprehensive management plans based on case history information and diagnostic test results, where management decisions may not be straightforward.
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit, research, and/o presentations at scientific meetings.

Communication

• Able to identify and overcome barriers to all communication with patients of all ages, including those with additional needs such as profound deafness, learning disabilities or where patients are reliant on sign or language interpreters.
• Communicates complex information (which may be sensitive) to staff, patients and relatives using reasoning, persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcoming barriers to understanding.
• Ability to pass on expert and highly technical and/or condition related information with reassurance for better understanding including in stressful or conflict clinical and non clinical situations necessary.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.