The posting
Job Description
Responsible for comprehensive radiological evaluation and diagnosis of all the referred patients with hearing problem. The role is also responsible in correctly guiding the patients regarding all the available educational and rehabilitation services
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities of the role
Corresponding Key Activities performed by the role
Managerial
Supervising junior staff and ensuring their abidance to going rules and policies as applied and implemented in the Section/Department/Facility (as per requirement)
Maintaining sufficient inventory of material supplies and equipment for performance of duties
Reporting shortage of materials to supervisor at earliest convenience, ordering and approving replenishments when necessary
To assume the role of the senior audiologist in his absence (whenever required)
Technical
Performing Hearing Aid Evaluations (HAE) and prescribes hearing aids to adults and children
Able to diagnose hearing loss and vestibular disorder and manage/treat the same
Perform Otoscopic ear examination on Patients.
Independently, accurately performing, recording, interpreting and taking appropriate action on a range of complex Audiology tests for the correct diagnosis of hearing and balance disorders. Those would include:
- Behavioral observation audiometry
- Visual reinforcement audiometry
- Puretone and Speech Audiometry with appropriate masking procedures
- Immittance, Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflexometry Studies
- Auditory Evoked Potential studies
- Oto – Acoustic Emission studies
- Special Psycho studies pertaining to assessment of efficiency of the brainstem and central auditory nervous system
- Special studies pertaining to assessment of efficiency of the brainstem and central patient comfort at all times
Providing an ear mould fitting service, training patients and their carers on the correct insertion of ear moulds and deal with hearing aid repairs
Electro-acoustical testing of all aids returned from repair or by patients and ensure that any faulty aids are sent for repair
To determine the candidacy for cochlear implant and to do mapping for the cochlear implant.( technical duty for both audiologist and senior audiologist)
Providing vestibular diagnostic and rehabilitative services
Identifying any contra-indications to testing
Selecting appropriate hearing aids for each patient
Identifying problems with hearing aids and decide upon appropriate action including choice of model of hearing aid and adaptations to ear moulds
Keeping contemporaneous notes, documenting all findings and relevant information in a clear, concise and legible manner on SEHA EMR system.
Taking ear impressions of current hearing aid users as and when appropriate
Performing neonatal hearing screening in the absence if the audiologist assistant
Dealing with any equipment repairs that are appropriate within the department and if unable to repair them liaise with BioMedical Engineering to effect repairs. Inform Senior Audiologist of all equipment issues
Communicating information from clinical records and assessments to patients, their families, and other professionals. Explain all audiology tests and diagnosis and explain all aspects of hearing aid use to patients. Identify barriers to understanding i.e. deafness, language, special needs etc and adjust care plan as appropriate. This includes re-assurance and persuasion of difficult patients and patients with special needs on a regular basis
Making appropriate referrals according to the patients needs
Quality & Safety
Promoting and maintaining quality in all services and ensure continuous quality improvement measures are in place. Conduct method evaluation/development as per standard policies and procedures
Complying with all safety, health and quality control programs and procedures as applicable
Complying with applicable precautions for environmental safety, infection control, using a series of interventions that minimize or prevent cross infection
Maintaining the strictest confidence in relation to patient information whether formally or informally recorded
Practicing within the expressed limits of established policies and procedures
Ensuring that SOP (standard operation procedures) and Quality Assurance tests are maintained within all sections
Being responsible for documenting all intervention in appropriate format
Comply and support clinical audit processes within the service and report on these as agreed
Communicating in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status
Interacting courteously with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers when answering questions or providing other information
Education
Participating in training and education sessions for department staff, doctors and nurses in the safe and secure handling of drugs and equipment, prescribing (whenever applicable), administration and treatment and management i.e. teaching, induction, peer review, case studies, and clinical presentations
Participating in department programs/committees, various hospital committees, and staff meetings
Participating in the orientation and training of new employees
Ensuring appropriate internal and external sharing of information based on governing policies and procedures
Maintaining professional knowledge by attending lectures, seminars or on-line education units
Completing and maintaining all regulatory requirements including: licensure and certification and other mandatory training within established time frames
Qualifications
Required:
*Bachelors in Audiology & Speech language pathology &
Masters in Audiology & Speech language pathology
(Both with full time supervised clinical practicum hours)
Minimum hrs – 300hrs
* AND Current National License
