Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our UKAS IQIPS-accredited Audiology Service based at Torbay Hospital in beautiful South Devon, offering an enviable lifestyle with easy access to both stunning coastlines and Dartmoor National Park.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Associate Audiology Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Assistant Audiologist looking to further develop their career within a high-quality, patient-centred service.

As an Associate Audiology Practitioner, you will provide safe, effective and person-centred audiological care within an agreed scope of practice and under appropriate supervision. You will support patients throughout their audiology journey, contributing to assessment, clinical decision-making, hearing aid rehabilitation, follow-up care and onward referral where appropriate.

In addition to your clinical responsibilities, you will play an important role in the day-to-day running of the department. This includes responding to patient and professional enquiries, supporting referral triage, maintaining accurate clinical records, processing postal hearing aid repairs and assisting with stock and equipment management.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake routine and, where trained and competent, more complex diagnostic hearing assessments for adults and older children in accordance with departmental protocols. Interpret results within the defined scope of practice, explain findings clearly, identify red flags and arrange appropriate escalation or onward referral.
• Provide hearing aid rehabilitation, including selection, fitting, verification, maintenance and repair of hearing devices, together with individualised advice and communication support. Work alongside Assistant Audiologists and the wider team to deliver administrative and operational support, including responding to patient and professional enquiries, triaging referrals in line with agreed pathways, processing postal repairs and maintaining stock.

About us
The Audiology Department comprises approximately 30 staff working across a range of grades, roles and specialist services. These include direct-access adult hearing assessment and rehabilitation, paediatric audiology, tinnitus services, hearing therapy, bone-conduction hearing devices, vestibular assessment and support for people with learning disabilities.

The department is based at Torbay Hospital and provides clinics across eight locations in South Devon, as well as domiciliary care for patients who are unable to attend a clinic.

We are a busy, friendly and supportive team committed to delivering high-quality, equitable and evidence-based care. The service has held UKAS Improving Quality in Physiological Services accreditation since 2014 and all team members contribute to maintaining and improving these standards.

Should you already possess Level 5 apprenticeship in HAD we will be able to support you to progress to a Level 6 apprenticeship in Audiology providing you meet our criteria.

Job responsibilities
Please review the combined job description and person specification for job eligibility and detailed main responsibilities.

Qualifications and Training
Essential

• GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent, including English and Mathematics; a science subject is desirable.
• Foundation degree in Audiology or an equivalent relevant qualification, or evidence of current enrolment on an approved programme with a clear completion plan.

Desirable

• Experience of working with the public

Registration
Essential

• Registration with the appropriate professional or accredited register where required for the duties undertaken, or eligibility and active progression towards registration.

Knowledge and experience
Essential

• Relevant experience in an audiology, hearing-care or comparable patient-facing clinical environment.
• Knowledge of routine audiological assessment and rehabilitation techniques appropriate to the role.
• Understanding of consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, infection prevention, information governance and escalation of clinical concerns.
• Competent in the use of digital systems and able to maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of hearing aid fitting, verification, maintenance or repair.
• Evidence of recent continuing professional development relevant to audiology.
• Experience of audit, service evaluation or quality improvement.

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).