Assistant Technical OfficerinExeterinExeterPUBLISHED TUE 3 DEC 2024

Are you passionate about helping people improve their quality of life? Join our dynamic Audiology team as an Audiology Technical Officer (ATO). In this role, youll play a crucial part in maintaining and repairing hearing aids, providing on-the-spot care for patients, and supporting the smooth running of our audiology services. Youll work closely with audiologists and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, whether in the clinic or through our postal service.

This role offers the opportunity to develop hands-on technical skills, such as programming digital hearing aids, fitting ear moulds, and conducting otoscopy, all while making a direct impact on the lives of patients with hearing impairments. You'll be engaging with a wide range of individuals, including those with physical or learning disabilities, dementia, or serious illnesses, making your work both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Were looking for a reliable, flexible, and compassionate individual with strong communication and organizational skills, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient care. If youre ready to take on a role thats as rewarding as it is challenging, we want to hear from you!

Salary- £ 24,p.a.

Band- 3

KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct routine checks on the functioning of hearing aids.

Conduct simple programming of replacement digital hearing aids according to audiologists specifications.

Make adjustments to the shape of patients ear moulds using a grinding wheel.

Fit new ear moulds as appropriate

Facilitate the repair of In-the-ear hearing aids and bone anchored hearing aids

Run the postal service for hearing aid attention and batteries.

Send off, check in and store ear mould impressions / ear moulds

Assist with the preparation of audiologist clinic lists.

Travel to outside locality clinics

About us

JOB DESCRIPTION

.

JOB DETAILS

Job Title

ATO

Reports to

Lead ATO

Band

3

Department/Area

Audiology

JOB PURPOSE

To deliver on the spot care service for patients needing routine maintenance of their hearing aids to also maintain the postal aspect of the service.

To help manage the goods in receipting aspects of the audiology service.

K

KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct routine checks on the functioning of hearing aids.

Conduct simple programming of replacement digital hearing aids according to audiologists specifications.

Make adjustments to the shape of patients ear moulds using a grinding wheel.

Fit new ear moulds as appropriate

Facilitate the repair of In-the-ear hearing aids and bone anchored hearing aids

Run the postal service for hearing aid attention and batteries.

Send off, check in and store ear mould impressions / ear moulds

Assist with the preparation of audiologist clinic lists.

Travel to outside locality clinics

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will be part of the audiological team and conduct, with supervision, a proportion of hearing aid repairs seen annually in the department.

They will interact and communicate technical information and explanations of rehabilitation strategies in a friendly and sensitive wayto patients with hearing impairment, to parents, relatives and carers, including patients who may have physical or learning disabilities, dementia or who may be seriously/terminally ill. Will refer to line manager where appropriate.

In addition, the post holder will deal with the wider healthcare community, external organisations and the public.

The post holder is required to deal effectively with staff of all levels throughout Chime as and when they encounter on a day-to-day basis

This will include verbal, written and electronic media.

Of particularimportanceareworking relationshipswith:

Internal to Chime

External to Chime

Audiologists

Ear mould manufacturers

Clerical staff

Patients/Relative

Ward staff

Ward staff

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

THIS SECTION IS TO BE ADDED BY THE HR MANAGER OR THE UKAS OFFICER

The structure chart should show at least immediate manager; the post holder (text emboldened); direct reports (job titles and number of role holders).

To amend the structure chart, click into one of the boxes which allows you to amend the job titles and add in other levels, using the plus/minus/arrow functions see management guidance and toolkit for more information on how to create or amend this organisational chart (Link TO BE ADDED).

The following sections outline the dimensions of the role so that the job evaluation panel can understand the scale, scope and impact of the role.

FREEDOM TO ACT

Use own initiative.

Working in an environment where audiologists are available for advice, either face to face or via telephone.

Working autonomously in a locality hospital.

Make judgements on the need for full reassessment of a patients hearing aid provision and place

them on the waiting list as appropriate.

Also make judgement on the need for follow on appointments and book where appropriate.

COMMUNICATION/RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Communicating with hearing aid users on a one-to-one basis and discuss use of their hearing aids.

Refer patients internally, and to other agencies as appropriate e.g. Senior Audiologists, Chime hearing centre, Hearing Therapist, RNID, GP, volunteer visitor etc.

Communication with relatives and outside agencies.

ANALYTICAL/JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Make judgement on the need for replacement ear mould tubing and/or hearing aid parts replace as appropriate.

Make judgements on the need for new or replacement ear moulds and liaise with external providers or the audiologist team.

Make judgements on the need for full reassessment of a patients hearing aid provision and place

them on the waiting list as appropriate.

Also make judgement on the need for follow on appointments and book where appropriate.

Perform otoscopy and make judgements on the need for removal of ear wax.

PLANNING/ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Support the more senior audiology staff with day-to-day running of the department.

Organising own day to day activities

Planning and packing for locality clinics

PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

Direct patient contact involving routine maintenance of hearing aids.

Perform otoscopy and make judgements on observations and advise where appropriate.

POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Follow Chime Social Enterprise policies and guidelines.

Observe and maintain confidentiality at all times.

FINANCIAL/PHYSICAL RESOURCES

N/A

HUMAN RESOURCES

Assist in the training of new staff.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

Update the department database as patients attend.

Be involved with the input of audiologist appointment data when required.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

N/A

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Using fine hand tools.

Use of a grinding machine for the adjustment of ear moulds.

Quick and accurate recording of patient notes

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Frequent requirement for sitting or standing in restricted position.

Occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for short periods e.g. assisting elderly patients into/out of chairs.

Sitting to perform otoscopy.

Keyboard use for report writing.

Moving of audiological equipment for service at locality clinics.

MENTAL EFFORT

Short appointments but a high volume of them and Constant requirement for concentration.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Interact and communicate technical information and explanations of rehabilitation strategies to patients with hearing impairment, to parents, relatives and carers. Including patients who may have physical or learning disabilities, dementia or who may be seriously/terminally ill.

High volume of appointments.

Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Hazards Body Fluids, discharging ears, unhygienic ear moulds, solvents, clinical contact with patients, driving, VDU use, manual handling, using noisy and dusty machinery for ear mould modification.

Required to work in a small clinic room which can become quite warm, as well as at times, lone working at locality clinics.

Dealing with aggressive or distressed patients or relatives.

Exposure to unclean patients incontinence in the very elderly and young.

Ward visits for hospital in-patients.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Take part in regular performance appraisal.

Undertake any training required in order to maintain competency including mandatory training, e.g. Manual Handling

Contribute to and work within a safe working environment.

You are Expected to comply with Chime/RDUHs Infection Control Policies and conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.

As an employee of Chime, it is a contractual duty that you abide by any relevant code of professional conduct and/or practice applicable to you. A breach of this requirement may result in action being taken against you (in accordance with Chimes disciplinary policy) up to and including dismissal.

You must also take responsibility for your workplace health and wellbeing:

When required, gain support from Occupational Health, Human Resources or other sources.

Familiarise yourself with the health and wellbeing support available from policies and/or Occupational Health.

Follow Chimes health and wellbeing vision of healthy body, healthy mind, healthy you.

Undertake a Display Screen Equipment assessment (DES) if appropriate to role.

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECKS

This post has been identified as involving access to vulnerable adults and/or children and in line with Trust policy successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service Disclosure Check.