Advanced Specialist in Communication - Hearing Impairment Nottingham, England
Job description
Band 7
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, qualified Teacher of the deaf or specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Hearing Impairment, to join the Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme; a nationally and internationally recognised multi-disciplinary team working in ENT & Audiology in one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK. The post is full-time and substantive. We would love to discuss how you could join us and take advantage of the considerable opportunities for specialist training and professional development alongside our friendly team of clinical experts.
Main duties of the job
Job summary
We are looking for a dynamic, innovative and experienced Teacher of the deaf or specialist Speech and Language Therapist, with excellent communication and organisational skills, together with a high level of analytical, technical and coaching abilities. Additional experience in the areas of audiology and working with children living with sensory disability and other complex needs is desirable. The successful applicant will be responsible for the provision of highly specialist clinical assessment, differential diagnosis and management of listening, communication and quality of life difficulties for deaf/deafened children and their parents/carers, before and after cochlear implantation.
Where appropriate, the post holder will also have the opportunity to work with adults. They will work within a forward-looking multi-disciplinary team and will work collaboratively with other agencies and professionals from Health, Education and Social Services at a supra-district level. They will contribute to research and audit projects and to the team's teaching and training commitments. The post holder will have the opportunity to contribute to service provision, which will include online and face-to-face groups and counselling, training and support for parents/carers, and to supervise and support a team of clinical assistants. They will be expected to update their own professional knowledge.
Working for our organisation
About us
The Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme (NAIP) provides cochlear implants and other hearing implants to hearing-impaired children and adults who do not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids. We work closely as a multidisciplinary team and meet regularly to review those under assessment and those needing discussion post implantation, as well as taking time to review service provision. There are opportunities to be involved in research and audit, to present at national and international conferences and to contribute to our own pro-active training schedule. NAIP sits within the ENT & Audiology department in the Surgery Directorate of NUH, and has a worldwide reputation for excellence in cochlear implantation.
The department is located in Nottingham City Centre, alongside Nottingham Audiology Services and Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre in Hearing. The city has excellent transport links, a thriving culturally diverse community, two Universities and access to beautiful green spaces.
NHS Terms and conditions apply. NUH supports flexible working within the requirements of effective service provision.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Practice
The post holder is responsible for providing highly specialist assessment, analysis and diagnosis, including differential diagnosis of conditions co-existing with deafness as appropriate, e.g. language disorder, requiring advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and interpretation and analysis, and for providing subsequent management programmes including group training/coaching
To interpret and act on complex information gathered from a range of sources using sound knowledge of evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning skills and experience in applying relevant treatment approaches, including interpreting audiological information
To contribute to the multi-disciplinary decision-making process in determining candidature for cochlear implantation and to the effective management of the patient pathway
The role requires the ability to counsel patients and families/carers on challenging and potentially distressing topics of discussion, e.g. decision- making regarding an elective surgical procedure, often in difficult and emotive circumstances, progress/outcome measures, impact of additional difficulties/long-term deafness and expectations
The post holder must be able to adapt their communication to ensure the patient /carer is able to understand as well as possible, for example, by using recognised communication strategies for deaf/deafened children/adults, including speech to text, lip-reading and the use of interpreters as appropriate
To promote self advocacy and acceptance of disability and adapt assessments/resources to meet individual needs
To develop, advise, monitor and evaluate highly specialist interventions to individuals and groups, and to support parents/carers/community settings and other professionals to implement these interventions
To monitor progress using outcome measures, identifying those not making expected progress and signpost as appropriate
To support patients and carers to use cochlear implant technology and other assistive listening devices effectively and to promote the continued need for the use of communication strategies by both patients and their parents/carers
To advise, supervise, mentor and develop clinical assistants and other professionals within area of clinical expertise
Service delivery
To contribute to delivering a coordinated and highly specialist rehabilitation service within a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency context and inform and advise the service leads as to training, resources, trends and development needs
To work collaboratively with a variety of different agencies/professionals in health, education, social care and charitable organisations for deaf people ensuring management and treatment meets the holistic needs, providing a well coordinated intervention plan, supported by written and visual information that is accessible to the patients/carers/young people
To effectively delegate to clinical assistants, administrative and other staff as appropriate
To utilise digital healthcare platforms, in line with NUH policies and procedures, to support and enhance patient management and as part of patient/family/group coaching sessions and professional training
To be able to work on an outreach basis when required
To represent speech, language and communication needs of deaf/deafened children using cochlear implants at agreed forums
Professional Responsibility
To maintain and demonstrate own CPD, keeping up to date with clinical developments & current research and evidence-based practice to ensure own and others practice is safe and effective
Identifies and manages clinical risk in own practice
To contribute to team objectives and clinical governance activities of the Trust, reflecting local and national priorities, using their knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice and specialist professional guidelines in the field of cochlear implantation
To proactively contribute to regional/national Clinical Excellence Groups, the British Cochlear Implant Group and Implant Centre REHAB groups.
Responsibility for Training
The post holder will mentor, supervise, teach and develop colleagues and those involved in rehabilitation for deaf/deafened children, within area of expertise
To contribute to the development and delivery of courses/conferences and information days to promote increased awareness and knowledge of cochlear implants, nationally and internationally
Provide support for clinical education of students, in liaison with universities, to ensure expected quality standards are met, through teaching, mentoring and supervision (as required)
Facilitates the development of others through peer supervision with colleagues within the Trust across specialisms
Managerial
Managerial responsibility will be designated according to experience and specified by the Clinical Lead/Head of Service
Responsibility for Policy/Service Development
The post holder will contribute to strategic developments, in liaison with their clinical lead
Contributes to and implements NAIP guidelines and procedures in line with Regional and National initiatives that influence service provision
Contributes to the development, implementation of and monitoring of standards for the clinical specialism and understanding and adhering to quality standards and key performance indicators
Participates in multi-disciplinary projects and specialist areas of cochlear implantation work as agreed with clinical leads
Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance to team and Trust standards and provide clinical data to the Head of service as required
Implements national and local policy relevant to specialist clinical area, ensuring service is consistent with these
Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Contributes to the specification and justification of equipment and goods e.g. cameras, specialist assessment or therapy materials
Responsible for ensuring any equipment (digital technologies, assessments, audiobooks) is complete and safe to use, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained, including equipment loaned to patients
Ensures the safe carriage, storage and proper use of equipment, working within lifting and handling and data protection guidelines
Monitors stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate for use with specialist client group
Responsibility for Human Resources
Identifies CPD requirements of self and others reflecting organisational priorities
Responsibility for Research and Development
Initiates and regularly undertakes research/clinical governance/audit projects, within area of clinical expertise
Undertakes resourced research, service evaluation and/or audit in accordance with the needs of the Trust and profession
Ensures service delivery in specialist area is underpinned by available research evidence
Contributes to others’ research by providing data as required
Evaluates outcomes for specialist service
Participates in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness using highly specialist knowledge
Contributes to papers for presentation at national and multi-disciplinary conferences
Contributes to submissions for publication in non-reviewed and peer reviewed journals
Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based research
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • Speech and Language Therapy qualification Bachelor level degree, or equivalent • Additional postgraduate training up to master’s degree equivalent OR Teacher of the deaf: qualified teacher status, or Bachelor level degree plus PGCE / Qualified Teacher of the Deaf
Desirable criteria
- • Additional specialist skills and qualifications in a recognised sub-speciality eg. counselling, coaching, adult learning, change theory • Masters/PG Dip in working with deaf people or equivalent • Post graduate qualification, e.g. Psychology
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant professional experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist or qualified Teacher of the deaf in a range of settings
- • Experience working with deaf people • Experience working with children, young people and/or adults with disability
Desirable criteria
- • Experience working with people using hearing implants and assistive listening devices • Experience of criteria and referral pathway to Auditory Implant Programmes
- • Research and Statistical skills. •Working knowledge of Microsoft Word processing and use of Excel spreadsheets
Communication
Essential criteria
- • Excellent communication skills with deaf people and others • Clear, fluent English spoken language
- • Excellent written communication skills • Excellent presentation skills
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working through interpreters
- Experience of supervising and mentoring non-specialist professionals
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Bring your whole self to work for us at NUH. We love diversity and we value your difference, your unique skills, knowledge and experience. Becoming one of our people may realise your potential, helping us to raise our performance in delivering world class healthcare to the diverse patient populations we serve.
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are currently under-represented at NUH.
Covid-19 vaccination: remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated. For helpful advice and information about the Covid-19 vaccination and how to access visit: https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/
Closing Dates: Please submit your application form as soon as possible to avoid disappointment; we reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the published closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.
Communication: All communication related to your application will be via the email address you have provided. Please ensure you check your email account including your junk email regularly.
Easy read application: if you have a disability and find it difficult to complete our online application form, you can apply via our easy read application which you can find on the intranet https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/easy-read-job-application
Salary: The quoted salary will be on a pro rata basis for part time workers.
Disability Confidence: All applicants who have declared a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the post will be shortlisted.
At Risk of redundancy: NHS employees within the East Midlands who are ‘at risk’ of redundancy will be given a preferential interview where they meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
Skilled Workers Visa: We welcome applications from individuals who require a skilled worker visa in line with the Home Office regulations. NON-UK/NON SETTLED candidates may not be appointed, if a suitably qualified and skilled UK/SETTLED candidate is successful at interview stage as it is unlikely that the Trust is able to satisfy the Home Office Visa requirements
ID and Right to work checks: NUH authenticate all ID and right to work documentation such as passports, visa’s and driving license through a system called Trust ID. NUH will scan your ID and right to work documentation in to the Trust ID system at your face to face ID appointment. The system will run a check against the key security features within your documentation. The system will provide us with an outcome of your check which will be stored securely on your personal file along with all other pre-employment check documentation.
Consent:
- Transfer of information: If I have previous NHS service - I consent to the transfer of my Electronic Staff Record (ESR) data between this and other NHS Trusts. I also consent to the Occupational Health Department confidentially accessing my occupational health records from my current or previous employer in order to check the status of my vaccinations, immunisations s and screening tests as relevant to the post. I understand this is an automated process and the information will only be used for these purposes prior to me taking up the position at NUH.
- Disclosure and Barring Service: Your post maybe subject to a DBS check which incur a cost dependent on the level of check required (£41.90 for enhanced and £21.90 for standard). I agree to reimburse Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust the cost of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if it is required (by deduction from first month’s pay). Should I decide to withdraw from my job offer, I agree to reimburse Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust the cost of the DBS check undertaken by cheque or other agreed method.
