Senior Hearing Screener

at  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Function 1: To ensure the accurate and timely entering of data Related Activities 1. To assist the local manager in ensuring that site data is timely and accurately recorded on appropriate databases 2. Enter data onto S4H (new-born hearing screening web-based system) 3. Support health visitor bases with automatic upload of data onto the national systems 4.
Record individual test data from downloads 5. Reconcile data quality issues identified by automated systems or other sources 6. Keep accurate records 7. Adhere to trust policies Function 2: To carry out screening of babies on the neonatal intensive care unit/transitional care ward and in the community Related Activities 1.
Identify which babies require screening 2. Liaise effectively with parents, team members and other health care professionals this requires excellent communication skills to discuss screening results and possible deafness with parents of the most vulnerable infants on the NICU and TCW wards on a daily basis. 3. Carry out the hearing screening of newborns within the NICU and TCW wards using both AOAEs and AABRs this requires high levels of manual dexterity to accurately insert probes (earpieces) into ears and attach electrodes (sensors) appropriately with both premature and full-term neonates 4.
Accurately record the clinical and test data 5. Carry out screening in the community as required (in the home and in clinics) this requires the ability to carry out screening with no direct support, in a wide variety of situations with varying levels of hygiene. It also requires the ability to manage family situations, such as the behaviour of siblings, to optimise screening conditions 6. Ensure the safety and security of equipment at all times 7.
The post-holder will have day-to-day responsibility for managing the hearing screening equipment 8. Carry out calibration of equipment, report any problems to the local manager, arranging maintenance and repair as appropriate 9. To assist the local manager with training of new staff and the updating of trained staff Function 3: General Administrative and Management Duties Related Activities 1. Receiving and acting on telephone calls from health visitors etc.
2. Assist local manger with organising meetings and training sessions to ensure all site staff and health visitors are fully trained and competent 3. Liaise with local manager to arrange appropriate update training 4. Set up and mentor health visitor e-learning and practical training with the local coordinator 5.
Use and set up databases to record information 6. Ensure messages are passed on or dealt with 7. Maintain the local managers electronic diary 8. Set up and maintain mailing lists 9.
Order stocks of consumables, information leaflets etc. and distribute as required. Ensure adequate levels of stationery and consumables in office and on screening trolley 10. Maintain equipment records and calibrations logs 11.
Monitor enquiries from the web page and bring to the attention of the local manager 12. Organise meetings 13. Report incidents to the local manager where health and safety of self or others has been jeopardised (including near misses) and to participate in investigations into such incidents as required in trust procedures. Where a risk has been identified or an incident has occurred, the senior screener will carry out checks with the local coordinator after an appropriate period of time to ensure any corrective action required has been carried out.
14. Assist local manager to monitor staff performance, running local audits to monitor error and referral rates. 15. Register new screeners with the national screening database 16.
To deputise for the local manager in times of absence. Function 4: Training and development Related Activities 1. Attend regular training/refresher courses as required 2. Attend all mandatory training 3.
To strive to increase personal knowledge relevant to hearing screening 4. Undertake any training or updating of relevant skills as required and participate in the training and induction of hearing screeners 5. Keep up to date records reflecting own personal development, which will include accuracy in data inputting and use of screening equipment 6. Participate in multi-disciplinary/multi agency education and training when required 7.
Ensure all screening staff are aware of new policies and procedures 8. Advise local manager or clinical lead on possible service improvements 9. Complete assessments of new screeners in compliance with national standards. Function 5: Book appointments for AOAE and AABR testing by the NHSP team and for ABR testing by the specialist paediatric audiologists Related Activities 1.
Book appointments for AOAE, AABR and ABR testing 2. Generate and send appointment letters 3. Record outcome of AOAE and AABR tests and generate appropriate letter 4. Ensure that clinic resources are appropriately utilised 5.
Adhere to clinic booking guidelines Function 6: General Related Activities 1. To comply with policies and procedures issued by the trust in relation to health and safety at work and ensure that any issues that may affect your safety at work or the safety of others are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager 2. Assist in the implementation and development of local policies through staff meetings/team briefing sessions 3. To recognise the importance of personal contribution to the team and wider professional network 4.
To promote a professional, welcoming and caring environment endorsing a family friendly approach to care 5. Assist with the training of health visitors, nursing staff and new team members 6. Support screening team members in difficult emergency situations COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS 1. Local manager and NHSP team regular discussion and meetings 2.
Health visitors, health visiting managers and teams daily face-to-face, telephone and email 3. Parents/carers of newborns daily face-to-face and telephone 4. NICU staff (medical, nursing and administrative) daily face-to-face 5. Audiology staff regular face-to-face, telephone and email 6.
National programme team regular telephone and email 7. Other stakeholders (Public Health England, NHS England, other professionals) occasional face-to-face, telephone and email All Job Holders are required to …
Work to the trust values put patients first, take ownership, respect others, be positive, listen, learn and improve. Adhere to trust polices and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc. Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training. Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Comply with corporate governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the trust.
Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post. Ensure they are familiar with the risk management framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk. Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
Ensure they attend child protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame. Staff must comply with safeguarding policies and procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using trust services. Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current trust infection control policies and procedures. Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
Note This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust policies, procedures and guidelines

Please refer the Job description for details