About this role
Job summary
The Audiology Department at Musgrove Park Hospital is a well-established, forward thinking service with a passion for high quality, patient centred care. Our team delivers a full range of adult and paediatric audiology services including vestibular assessment, BAHA, tinnitus management and learning disability clinics.
We provide excellent opportunities for collaborative working, multidisciplinary learning, service development and professional growth. Our Paediatric Audiology team is known for its supportive, friendly working environment and a passionate commitment to delivering high quality care to children and their families.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Paediatric Clinical Lead to cover a 12 month maternity leave. Working in partnership with a second Paediatric Clinical Lead, the post holder will play a key role in supporting and developing the delivery of high quality paediatric audiology services across Somerset.
The role includes responsibility for the diagnostic assessment and management of children of all ages, including complex cases and newborn assessment using evoked potential testing. In addition to advanced clinical practice, the post holder will provide professional and clinical leadership, contributing to quality assurance processes, clinical governance, and service improvement activity. This is an exciting opportunity to combine expert clinical skills with leadership responsibilities, supporting safe, effective, and patient centred care.
Main duties of the job
Select and perform audiological investigations to assess hearing function in neonates and children
Submit results of electrophysiological assessment to the Southwest of England peer review system
Complete peer reviews for other members of the team and/or the Southwest Paediatric networks when required
To recommend further investigations as required
To provide comprehensive individual management programmes including counselling and advise
To liaise with and refer to medical, specialist advisory services and local support services
To assess patients suitability for hearing aids and accurately fit digital hearing aids to infants, children and newborns, using real ear/probe microphone measurements whenever possible
Provide ongoing maintenance and assessment for hearing impaired patients
Identify patients who are suitable for cochlear implant assessment and discuss//make referrals to cochlear implant centres as appropriate
Assessment and management of children presenting with tinnitus and altered sound tolerance (depending on experience)
Supervise with work of, and act as a mentor to Audiologists, Associate Audiologists, Assistant Audiologists, and students
Clinical leadership of the Paediatric Audiology team
Undertake performance reviews with junior staff members
Assist in induction and orientation of new staff
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Paediatric diagnostic audiological assessment
*Select and perform audiological investigations to assess hearing function in neonates and children referred from Primary Care, ENT, Paediatric services, Newborn hearing screen, Community child health and SSE.
*Determine the nature and extent of the hearing disorder/disability through appropriate age- appropriate assessments including history taking, otoscopy, tympanometry, oto-acoustic emission testing, acoustic reflex threshold testing, electrophysiological testing, visual reinforcement audiometry, performance audiometry, pure tone audiometry and speech/speech in noise testing.
*Carry out appropriate assessments on children under sedation/general anaesthetic when necessary.
*Provide counselling to patients and parents/carers regarding the nature and extent of any hearing loss, and the options on how this could be managed.
*Manage patients and families experiencing a broad range of emotions including distress, especially when disclosing test results and management options.
*Submit results of electrophysiological assessment to the Southwest of England peer review system and be able to discuss test strategy and results with reviewers if required.
*Complete peer reviews for other members of the team and/or the Southwest paediatric network when required.
*Provide written evaluation of test results in accordance with BSA standards and departmental protocols.
*Provide support and advice for relatives/carers.
*To recommend further investigations as required, either making the necessary onwards referral to the appropriate professional or carrying out the procedures if appropriately competent.
Paediatric audiological habilitation and rehabilitation
*To assess the general auditory (re)habilitative needs of hearing-impaired children with respect to their audiological status, communication skills and educational and social needs. To formulate appropriate management plans based on this information, including advising on communication strategies, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and auditory training, or referral to the appropriate clinician.
*Provide comprehensive individual management programmes including counselling and advice for children with hearing disorders and associated conditions and theirs care givers. This includes patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems and learning difficulties.
*To liaise with, and refer to medical, specialist advisory services for hearing impaired, and local support services as indicated.
*To assess the patient's suitability for hearing aids and select the most appropriate model in line with national and departmental protocols, but with an understanding of when these cannot be adhered to.
*To safely take ear impressions for all ages in line with local and national procedures.
*Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results. This may include behind the ear, (Bi)CROS or bone conduction hearing aids.
*Accurately fit digital hearing aids to infants and children, including newborns, using real ear/probe microphone measurements whenever possible.
*Arrange and complete follow-up appointments to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids based on objective and subjective assessments of development and onward referral to other specialist services.
*Assess benefit derived from hearing aids using subjective and objective measures, including informal methods, appropriate questionnaires, speech testing and insertion gain measurements.
*Provide ongoing assessment and maintenance for hearing impaired patients.
*Liaise with staff involved in the assessment and rehabilitation process including audiological and medical staff, and local support services to ensure the effectiveness of routine services.
*To promote a holistic approach to paediatric (re)habilitation and shared decision making.
*Identify patients who are suitable for cochlear implant assessment and discuss/make referrals to cochlear implant centres as appropriate.
Other
*Assessment and management of children presenting with tinnitus and altered sound tolerance (depending on experience).
*Assessment of hearing and tinnitus for adult patients referred from Primary Care, ENT, Care of the Elderly.
*To plan aural rehabilitation programmes for hearing impaired adults.
*Completion of hearing aid fittings, aftercare and reassessments for adults in line with national guidance and departmental protocols.
*To deal with queries and complaints from patients or carers or other professionals.
Leadership and Supervision
*Supervise the work of, and act as a mentor to Audiologists, Assistant Audiologists, Audiology Apprentices, Students and Volunteers in the service.
*Clinical leadership of the paediatric audiology team.
*Deputise for Audiology Manager when not in the Department.
*Undertake performance reviews (appraisals) with junior staff members.
*Assist in induction and orientation of new staff.
*Plan post-basic training for qualified staff.
*Prioritize and recommend training courses.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc in Audiology and/or BAAT I and II (or equivalent). M-level training in paediatric Audiology or equivalent experience.
Desirable
MSc in Audiology Leadership/management qualification/training External training course in diagnostic hearing assessment for newborns.
Experience Essential
A minimum of 5 years post-graduate experience including 2 years within a band 6 NHS role specialising in paediatric audiology. Experience in completing electrophysiological assessments on newborns referred on from newborn hearing screening. Experience in leading audiological assessments and management for complex paediatric cases.
Desirable
Previous leadership experience.
Additional Criteria Essential
Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language (spoken and written). Ability to plan and organise all aspects of the clinical delivery of paediatric audiology services. To plan and organise team meetings, including multi-agency meetings. To plan and organise training and development for members of the audiology team. Physical skills requiring precision for in-ear probe-tube measurements and taking high quality ear-mould impressions. Physical skills to work in small rooms with steps, and to assist patients in clinical spaces when required (including pushing wheelchairs/ prams).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)