Deputy Clinical Lead - Audiology

About the role

Our Audiology department has recently launched a new clinical structure and has undergone an exciting service transformation. With a focus on establishing robust governance processes alongside modernising patient pathways and introducing innovative approaches to improve patient care, the service is committed to providing the highest quality audiology service.

We are now seeking motivated and forward-thinking Advanced Clinical Audiologists to join our dynamic team to lead one or more clinical areas of practice, and contribute to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, in the Newcastle and Northumberland areas.

Responsibilities

• Work as an independent advanced clinical audiologist, taking primary responsibility for leading one or more specialised clinical areas of practice, whilst assisting to ensure that professional and clinical standards are maintained.
• Provide first-line management of the clinic on a day-to-day basis and act as a point of contact for less experienced staff, in particular for complex and non-routine cases.
• Lead, support and actively participate in service change programmes, service monitoring, evaluation and audit, and support and lead in areas of research, audit and development.
• Line manage members of the Audiology team, including appraisals, personal and career development, sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance matters, performance management and health and safety.
• Take primary responsibility for leading one or more clinical areas of practice as agreed with the Head of Service / Clinical Lead.
• Support the Senior Leadership Team to provide a seamless, unified high-quality audiology service.
• Assist in ensuring that professional and clinical standards are maintained.
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures applicable to the service.
• Undertake full audiological assessment of patients, including complex and non-routine cases such as those with multiple disabilities and severe communication difficulties.
• Analyse test results and other assessment data to determine differential diagnosis, the need for medical opinion and/or to decide on treatment options.
• Develop, arrange and implement individual treatment plans for patients in both highly complex and routine cases.
• Select, programme and evaluate hearing aids for patients, including the provision of specialist audiological and related services.
• Liaise with a large multidisciplinary team of professionals within the department and wider service structure to ensure that each patient receives a high quality and well-co-ordinated service.
• Record clinical observations and test results, maintaining database entries of clinical findings.
• Prepare audiological reports containing findings on assessment and review, with recommendations and advice based on clinical observations, assessment and knowledge for other professional colleagues and patients.
• Act as a point of contact for less experienced staff, in particular for complex and non-routine cases.
• Support new staff during a preceptorship period, and ongoing support/mentorship of staff within the service to develop their skills and experience.
• Coordinate and participate actively in service monitoring, evaluation and audit.
• Support and lead in areas of research, audit and development within the department.
• Maintain CPD to maintain registration.

Qualifications

• BSc in Audiology or equivalent.
• Completed relevant professional training (e.g. Audiology Practitioner Training Programme, BAAT part 1 & 2, STP or CAC).
• Registered with the AHCS as a Clinical Physiologist/Audiologist, or HCPC as a Clinical Scientist.

Knowledge & Experience

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge as required for a specialist area of audiology service (through clinical experience and study of MSc-level modules or equivalent).
• Comprehensive experience as a Senior Audiologist including specialist audiology assessment, and rehabilitation, working with a complex patient caseload.
• Experience of training others, and supporting/mentoring staff with developing their skills and knowledge.
• Experience of service development and audit projects.
• Evidence of commitment to continuous professional and personal development.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to include ability to communicate with the hearing impaired and carers in emotional states.
• Proven leadership skills with experience of service change and practice development.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating effectively with colleagues across the Trust to successfully lead on and implement service improvement and pro-actively and positively contributing to a good team culture.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including keeping clinical records up to date and the ability to work under pressure, meeting deadlines and prioritising workloads.
• Excellent written skill including clinical documentation.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to make judgements involving complex facts which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
• Good level of IT skills to include Microsoft Office and electronic patient records.