Job summary
We are looking for a Band 6 Audiologist or Clinical Scientist (Audiology) to join the paediatric audiology service at Oxford University Hospitals as we expand and reconfigure how paediatric audiology services are delivered by the Trust. This is an ideal post for an Audiologist / Clinical Scientist who would like to further develop their paediatric audiology skills. We are delighted to have been rated "Full Assurance" in our ICB/NHS England site visit in spring 2025, and have received funding to further develop our service, including provision of a new paediatric audiology facility at the Horton Hospital in Banbury. We are looking for a forward-thinking and highly motivated individual to join us on our service development journey.

The role includes the assessment and habilitation of children of all ages including those considered non-routine. Applicants interested in maintaining their adult audiology skills are encouraged to apply as there is some flexibility around caseload. This would be an exciting time to join the service as we are expanding both our estates and workforce, including provision of a new paediatric audiology facility in Banbury.

Main duties of the job
The role includes undertaking developmentally appropriate audiological assessments in children of all ages, together with hearing aid fitting and verification. In addition, involvement with service development is expected, and the postholder will work with the paediatric audiology Team Leaders and the Head of Paediatric Audiology in delivering this. Supervision of colleagues in training will be required including more junior audiologists and those on formal training programmes (e.g. degree apprenticeships and STP). In addition, a small amount of adult audiology work will be required to support ENT clinics; further adult audiology work is also a possibility for the interested candidate.

You will be an Audiologist with BSc or PTP (or equivalent), or a Clinical Scientist (Audiology) and must be registered with HCPC as a Clinical Scientist or AHCS as an Audiologist. Evidence of further specialist training and experience in paediatric audiology in an NHS context is an advantage.

About us
OUH is one of the UK's largest teaching hospital trusts. We provide a comprehensive paediatric audiology service including assessing babies referred from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, the behavioural and objective assessment of children of all ages and the habilitation of children with hearing loss. The paediatric audiology service sits alongside a busy adult audiology service which has a predominantly non-routine caseload, and an auditory implant programme which includes cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids and middle ear implants.

You would be joining a large team comprising Audiologists, Assistant Audiologists, Clinical Scientists (Audiology), Hearing Therapists and administrative colleagues. We are actively involved in training and have colleagues on degree apprenticeship and STP programmes. In addition, all staff have regular CPD opportunities. The service has undergone significant development over recent years and is actively working towards IQIPS accreditation.

You will be based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and may be required to undertake clinics at a variety of locations around the county including Banbury, Brackley and Didcot. The department offers flexible working arrangements.

The post is funded at 1.0FTE (full time) but candidates who would like a part time contract are encouraged to make informal contact / apply for the role.

Job description
Job responsibilities
The main responsibilities have been highlighted above. Please see full job description and person specification for further details. Potential applicants are encouraged to make informal contact to discuss the role further.

Person Specification
Qualifications

• BSc Audiology, PTP Healthcare Science (Audiology) or MSc in audiology with CAC / HTS, or STP in neurosciences (audiology modality)
• State registered with HCPC as a Clinical Scientist (audiology modality) or with AHCS as a Healthcare Scientist

Desirable

• MSc Audiology
• Evidence of further specialist training / qualifications in paediatric audiology
• BSL level 1

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of recent CPD activities
• Experience working as a band 5/6 specialist paediatric audiologist / Clinical Scientist in an NHS context
• Experience of behavioural hearing assessment in children of all ages
• Experience of supervision of junior staff and trainees
• Experience of communicating with colleagues from other disciplines including paediatrics, ENT, education, speech and language therapy
• Excellent understanding of child development

Desirable

• Research experience
• Experience of hearing aid fitting and verification in children including real ear measurements and RECD.
• Experience of clinical audit

Personal knowledge and skills
Essential

• High level of knowledge / competence in paediatric audiology, including assessing the hearing of children with additional needs
• Experience of running own paediatric audiology clinic
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• Good analytical skills
• Reliable clinical judgement

Desirable

• Knowledge of Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP)
• Knowledge / skill in hearing aid fitting in children
• Ability to give formal presentations at local and national meetings / conferences

Behavioural skills
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate complex information to people from a variety of educational backgrounds in emotionally challenging situations
• Ability to communicate with children and adults with hearing loss
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to show empathy
• Positive attitude and enthusiastic approach, with can-do attitude even when under pressure
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Resilient and able to multi-task and prioritise competing demands
• Aligned to the Trust values.
• Committed to own personal development

Desirable

• Able to travel to peripheral clinics

Technical skills
Essential

• Excellent manual dexterity and coordination to accurately manipulate equipment and small devices to include hearing aids and accessories and insert probe tubes accurately into ear canals
• Computer literate with experience of working with the Microsoft Office and specialist audiological software

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.