Assistant Audiologist

Are you looking for a new challenge? We are seeking an Audiology Assistant to join our progressive and forward thinking Audiology team.
The role will be part clinical and part administrative:
The clinical part of the role involves working with patients to repair hearing aids and completing follow-ups of patient's progress with their hearing aids. This includes working with patients; face to face and virtually, by phone or virtual platforms. In-house training and support will be provided by our experienced Audiology team. The successful applicant will be required to complete a Level 1 care certificate.
The administrative part of the role involves; welcoming patients to our department at reception, dealing with patient queries via telephone and email and general office administration. You will be joining our experienced administration team who will provide training and support.
You will need to be able to prioritise your workload, have good organisational skills and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Various IT systems are employed within our department, therefore IT skills are essential for the role.
The post will be based in Warwick Hospital, reporting to the Adult Audiology Manager and the Audiology Office Manager., This is a flexible role where the post holder will work part-time clinically and part-time administratively.
An Audiology Assistant's role is to work with indirect supervision as a member of the Audiology team with defined regulatory and clinical governance arrangements. The post involves direct patient care, using clinical skills in areas of routine adult Audiology rehabilitation and to assist the qualified Audiologists with adult patients. The main clinical responsibilities include supporting patients with ongoing care on the hearing aid repair service and reviewing patient's progress via telephone reviews.
In addition to clinical work the Audiologist Assistant undertake administration duties within the department; including stock ordering, processing invoices and covering reception., The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the audiological care of patients allocated to them. For every patient contact the post holder will comply with the Trust's Infection Control Procedures to minimise the risk of cross infection with particular reference to the handling, cleaning and disinfection of ear canal impressions, ear moulds and equipment.
To provide excellent service to clients, outlining options in a person-centred manner, supportive atmosphere, working empathetically with the client to overcome fears and anxieties about solutions to their communication difficulties.
Adult Rehabilitation
At clinics held at Warwick, the post holder will work under indirect supervision (once trained) to provide Hearing Aid Repairs and Telephone Reviews for adult patients.
Hearing Aid Follow Ups (in the form of Telephone Reviews) are essential to provide the patient with the opportunity to discuss challenges faced and experiences gained and identify potential changes to their hearing aids to maximise their hearing experience and should include outcome measures.
Assessments of patient's activity limitations and participation restrictions will be undertaken using interview and counselling techniques using a variety of questionnaires/formal outcome tools. The post holder must confidently discuss their findings and agree a care plan with the patient.
Hearing Aid Repair Service is offered at Warwick Hospital. The post holder will be required to work efficiently and effectively under pressure. Where necessary reprogramming hearing aids, impression taking, necessary counselling and hearing aid maintenance will be undertaken. The post holder must use initiative to make decision regarding onward referrals or additional supportive appointments outside the scope of a hearing aid repair.
The post holder will be required to carry out postal & drop off / collection repairs.
Refer to senior colleagues where complex issues are identified.
Administration
The potholder will monitor stock levels, ordering appropriate replenishments on at least a weekly basis.
Communicate with purchasing to chase stock items and around new orders.
Ensuring stock levels are added to AuditBase.
Manage the electronic pairing of any invoices for the department.
Undertaking the annual stock take.
Managing the workload within the Audiology Department in conjunction with existing Administration & Clerical staff.
To work as part of the Audiology Services Team, contributing to providing a full administrative and organisational service. This will require working using AuditBase (Audiology Patient Management System), Lorenzo and e-Records.
Creating patient appointments for all SWFT clinics at Warwick and other external sites on the Hospital patient management system and the audiology database - AuditBase.
To appoint all booked appointments adult clinics, including rescheduling and change of patient details for Warwick, Stratford and Ellen Badger clinics.
Scanning of all referral letters and answering telephone queries regarding all aspects of the service provision.
Responsible for ear mould impressions to be sent to manufacturers and receipting them in and organising.
Liaising with Porters/ambulance services ensuring Audiology patients are collected from the department.
Be able to use a full range of IT systems for example Word, Excel Office for tasks as required.
To undertake any other duties as required in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
Service Development
Assist in the future development within the Adult Audiology services that enable greater access to services for patients.
Support delegated responsibilities for the service's IQIPS preparation and assessments.
Training and Professional Development
To participate in appropriate training and development activities as required developing and maintaining competency in your role.
Participate in the personal annual review process and work to achieve agreed set objectives.
The post holder will participate in training which will include Practical and Theoretical training. Practical training is completed within the department using observations, direct/indirect supervision and internal/external assessment. Theoretical training will include e-learning, case studies, journal clubs and reflective practice at the monthly staff training sessions.
The post holder will ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all whom come into contact with services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Communications and Working Relationships
To recognise the importance of personal contribution to the team and the wider professional network.
To inform and liaise with senior colleagues on all aspects of Audiology and administration related to your role.
To establish a working rapport with other team members and to contribute to team meetings. The post holder is required to work as part of a team. Assigned workloads identify booked appointments, however it is essential to review colleague's workloads and assist when possible to maximise capacity and efficiency.
Ensure departmental and/or national policies and procedures are implemented in your area and to be pro-active in suggesting improvements for the service as a whole.
Having a good understanding of the needs of the hard of hearing and deaf patients so that clear communication is possible in a friendly and helpful manner always.
At all times, be aware when communicating of the need for confidentiality, privacy and dignity.
Maintain effective working relationships with individuals with other employees of the Trust (such as porters, booking co-ordinators, nurses and the ambulance service), patients and visitors to ensure the delivery of a professional service focusing on achieving a high level of patient satisfaction.
To ensure all telephone calls are answered in a timely manner.
To be client facing on reception and take responsibility for patients as they arrive for their appointments and signing them in on the appropriate system. Direct patient's to additional service if required.
Measurable Result Areas
Ensure accurate documentation occurs within patient records.
Ensure British Society of Audiology recommended procedures and protocols are adhered to.
Ability to prioritise workload and organise own workload ensuring efficient and effective working is maximised within the team/service.
Participate in promoting innovative practice within the department.
Review, as delegated by senior audiologists, policies and protocols to ensure best and up to date practice is maintained.
To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.
To participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote commitment to continuous development and improvement., Sometimes we get a lot of applications for our roles. On those occasions we might close the job early. If you don't want to miss out we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
The Trust use an Applicant Management System called TRAC which helps us manage the recruitment process. All communications regarding your application will come via TRAC (even if you applied via NHS Jobs).
Please check your TRAC account regularly and ensure your email is set up to accept messages so they don't go into your junk/spam folder.
We aim to shortlist all vacancies within 2 days of the vacancy closing, we will get back to all candidates ASAP.
Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address.
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Equality and Diversity and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the grounds of any protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
All South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust sites are smoke free. We feel it's a great way to help our patients, visitors and staff stay healthy.
The Trust is part of a 'Foundation Group' through a strategic alliance with Wye Valley NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This partnership is great for the sustainability of all four organisations and allows us to share learning and maximise opportunities to ensure the delivery of high quality health and care services for our local populations.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.
We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don't need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.
The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Probationary Period
All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual - we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.
Agile and Flexible Working
All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.
The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.
Staff Benefits
The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.
Car Parking
The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes.
To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust)., Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.