Working Full Time: 37.5 Hours Per Week

• We are looking for one full-time Practitioner in Audiology to join our multi-skilled team on a permanent basis.
• This position is suitable for either existing audiologists or new graduates.
• The post holder will be expected to have professional registration with RCCP/HCPC.
• The Audiology Department offers a domiciliary service and runs clinics in community settings therefore access to a car is essential for this role.
• The Audiology Service is based at the Countess of Chester Hospital and is delivered by a multi-skilled team of scientists, audiologists, assistant audiologists and administrators.
• The department delivers a comprehensive adult rehab service including a dedicated service for adults with complex needs as well as tinnitus and hearing therapy services. A full paediatric assessment and rehab service is provided including the Newborn Hearing Screening Team. A diagnostic audiovestibular is provided and we are a regional centre for Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids. This provides a wide range of possibilities to develop clinical skills.
• The department is a training centre for audiology students from the University of Manchester. Some staff members are currently undertaking further training via HTS modules. The department is also accredited for STP training. Developmental opportunities are available for discussion and can include leadership development and clinical skills development.

Main duties of the job

To perform autonomously and take a supervisory role in a broad range of routine and complex technical activities within audiology.

Delivering all technical work through skilled performance of a broad range of work and activities, the majority of which are complex and non-routine particularly in diagnostic audio vestibular service and the paediatric service.

The role requires formulating individualised care plans for individuals with a hearing loss, working within in/out patients, acute and community Audiology, GP direct referrals for hearing aids and domiciliary visits. This role also includes some line management responsibilities and mentoring of junior staff.

About us

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is �23 (standard) or �43 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of �13 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Audiology or equivalent BAAT I and II (applications will be considered for candidates currently undertaking their final year BSc Audiology and working towards completion and RCCP registration)
• Successful completion of CCC clinical training qualification

Desirable

• Registration with RCCP
• Up-to-date CPD portfolio

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of all standard audiological test procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant professional policies and procedures
• Up-to-date appropriate record of clinical competence.
• Experience of working in a NHS Audiology department.
• Experience in both adult & some paediatric testing in both diagnostic & rehabilitative areas.

Desirable

• Knowledge of advanced audiological test procedures.
• Knowledge/experience of advanced specialist fields particularly in adult rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of wide range of NHS amplification options, including digital hearing aids, CROS aids and BAHA.
• Experience of audit and service improvement

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, excellent communicator particularly with the hard of hearing and Deaf.
• Fine manual dexterity and able to work off own initiative
• Basic computer skills - database use.
• Have flexible approach to working hours.

Desirable

• Have developed counselling skills.

Employer details

Employer name

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

210-2024-617-A