Apprentice Audiologist
Job overview
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.***
Main duties of the job
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.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
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
- 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
- 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
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- 3 A-levels including at least one Science (or equivalent)
- To be studying at minimum of degree level, moving towards Masters.
- Working towards registration as Clinical Physiologist in Audiology (RCCP)
- GCSE in English and Match at Grade C or equivalent
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria- • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and contribute with all levels of the multidisciplinary team.
- • Ability to build good working relationships with other professional specialists within and outside the trust.
- • Excellent mediating skills.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria- • Ability to motivate and innovate practice, acting as a role model and a resource for learning.
- • Has a full understanding of the workings of the department and how this fits within the trust and referring authorities.
- • Demonstrable experience in management and supervision of junior staff
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.
If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.
We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.
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.
Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.
Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests.This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.
For Doctors Roles:
Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.
We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.
In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.
We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.
Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.
Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.
In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.