Job Description

Are you interested in providing healthcare to your local community? Do you have excellent communication skills, good A-Levels (ABB with at least one science or equivalent alternative) and a willingness to learn? We have an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate to embark on the Audiology Apprenticeship. This is a 3 year training programme, starting September 2025 . On completion of the successful candidate will gain their BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) provided by South Devon College and Plymouth University, and be eligible for registration as a clinical physiologist in Audiology.



For more information about the role of an Audiologist please visit the British Academy of Audiology website.



You must have the qualifications necessary to enrol on the course.



Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.



This is a developmental role. The trainee will work towards progression into the post of Audiologist through successful completion of the Healthcare Science Practitioner: Audiology Apprenticeship which includes the attainment of a level 6 BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology).



They will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and behaviours related to the role of Audiologist within the service and through completion of the training programme which includes working in care settings and delivery of person-centred clinical and diagnostic service.



We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.



The Apprentice Audiologist will work closely with qualified audiologists and other staff as required, in order to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to undertake the role of Audiologist. During the training programme, and working under appropriate direction and supervision, the apprentice will be trained to carry out the duties of an audiologist:



Clinical Duties



Diagnostic duties



To determine the appropriate test battery for patients seen as direct referrals from primary care and as referrals from ENT



Analyse results to determine the next stage of diagnostics required, and to problem solve inconsistent or erroneous findings



Take medical histories of patients directly referred from primary care to exclude pathologies requiring a medical opinion



Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:



Accurately test adult's hearing, and children over the age of 4 years, using pure tone audiometry, uncomfortable loudness levels, speech audiometry and other subjective tests



Assist senior colleagues in testing hearing of children younger than 4 years



Accurately perform objective tests of auditory function on children and adults, including tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emissions



Assist senior colleagues in advanced electrophysiological tests of hearing and balance



Ensure that expensive clinical equipment used is calibrated, decontaminated and maintained according to national and departmental protocols



Rehabilitation duties



Take social histories and listening needs assessments in adults, and combine these with diagnostic test results to develop the necessary management plans



Take accurate aural impressions of adults and children



Modify ear moulds using the range of laboratory equipment available



Following national and departmental guidelines and protocols, but with an understanding of when these can not be adhered to:



Select appropriate hearing aids and prescription formulae based on the needs assessment and diagnostic test results



Accurately fit digital hearing aids to adults using real ear/probe microphone measurements, and assist senior staff in fitting children and adults with learning difficulties



Follow-up to enable fine tuning of digital hearing aids and onward referral to other specialist services



Provide counselling to patients and/or significant others regarding the nature and extent of any hearing deficit, and the options on how this could be managed



Manage distressed or angry patients sensitively, especially when disclosing test results and management options



Provide audiological management to patients with significant co-morbidities, including mental health problems, with support from senior staff



Ensure patients and/or significant others are fully aware of the use of any devices issued



Fault finding to provide a timely hearing aid repair service



Provide expert advice to other staff, including wards, health visitors and ENT



Other duties



Provide the range of audiological services in peripheral/community settings and domiciliary settings



Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical records using the computerised patient management system and hospital records



Provide written and verbal reports on patients to referrers and other members to the multi-disciplinary team



Assist in keeping accurate activity statistics



Prioritise own workload



Take responsibility for own continual professional development



Participate in continuous service improvement to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care



Assist in stock and equipment management, including the carrying of equipment and stock to peripheral/ community clinics and for domiciliary services



Ensure efficient use of resources



Participate in departmental research and audit, and multi-centre trials



Actively participate in departmental team meetings and training



Please see the attached JD & PS for further details