Date: September 2010 Job Title : Audiologist Department : ORL Department Location : Adult Health Services Audiologist Reporting To : Operations Manager General Surgery, Orthopaedics, ORL and Urology Directly Monitors : The provision of safe clinically effective service for the public requiring Hearing Assessments Functional Relationships with : Internal ORL Consultants Registrars Audiologists ORL Dept PA Audiology clerks Audiology Specialist Audiology staff Medical staff External Other DHB s Specialists GP s Other Health Care Providers Patients and their families Discipline of Audiology, University of Akl Med School Akl Ministry of Health Enable Hearing Aid Co Third Party Funders Committees/Groups Interest in Hearing Association The Hearing House National Audiologists National ORL Group NZ Maori and Pacific Island provider groups Purpose : Provide safe clinically effective treatment for a group of identified patients to meet service and personnel performance targets to the highest standards. To provide appropriate, safe, timely care to the patient, to plan the overall care, co-ordinate necessary resources, to achieve the best outcomes for that episode of care for the patient.
KEY TASKS Clinical Services Diagnostic audiological assessment for adults, concurrent with ORL clinical evaluation Diagnostic audiological assessment for patients referred by GP s and other community health providers and for inpatients Hearing rehabilitation services for adult hearing impaired Clinical and Professional Leadership Interpersonal relationships Inter-professional health care and quality improvement Supervision of Audiology Technician Team relationships Quality improvement EXPECTED OUTCOMES Focus on patients needs and provides high level of customer service Comprehensive and clear reporting to referral source Haring aid service is customer driven, provided in a timely manner within available resources Appropriate selection of hearing aids and assistive devices taking into account client need and abilities Accountable for accurate castings to patient/client and documentation Clinically manages own patients/clients in specialty focus to advance best patient/client outcomes Identifies/removes barriers to optimal treatment Refers to appropriate resource centers and support agencies Develops and monitors key client outcomes Co-ordinates/attends interdisciplinary team meetings and relevant clinical meetings Attends patient/clients/family/whanau meetings where necessary Reduces recidivism rates through management of ongoing care between primary and tertiary care interface Monitors for outcome of care and takes appropriate action through use of standing orders and protocols Documentation of Audiology clinic and treatment outcome statistics is maintained and reviewed, e.g. databases Documentation is professional, accurate and transparent Attends professional meetings as required Educates patients/clients/family/whanau to improve knowledge of disease outcomes, self management prevention of complications and promotion of best recovery options Provides consistent best practice treatment for patients by using evidence-based practice, keeping up to date with current research and conducting appropriate audits Initiates, participates in research to ensure appropriate treatments and services are provided within the DHB catchment area Provides professional leadership to the audiology team with clear expectations, to develop the audiology service Fosters inquiry, critical thinking and research skill acquisition among the Audiology workforce to advance Audiology practice and patients/client care Leads evidence based Audiology practices across the service Leads clinical audit, policy review and change processes to ensure contemporary practice in specialty Works in collaboration with the Audiology team and multidisciplinary team to develop a workforce and culture that fosters the provision of positive patient/client outcomes Promotes effective teamwork and collaborative relations Implementation of WDHB goals and values Promotes WDHB as a centre of excellence of Audiology practice Leads professional conduct by example
KEY TASKS EXPECTED OUTCOMES Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate actions to ensure a safe environment of patients/clients, families/whanau and staff Ability to critique and use national/international research findings Diagnosis is appropriate and accurate Education and Research Participates in education and training Fosters and/or conducts research relating to those aspects of clinical audiology provided by WDHB Participates in educational programs for other WDHB staff and the general public on hearing loss and its management Identifies and addresses learning needs across the WDHB for area of specialty Role models and maintains own clinical expertise in speciality area Provides expert advice and best practice recommendations to staff across WDHB in speciality Supports Audiology practice to ensure speciality care is delivered appropriately Facilitates the development of staff competence appropriate for WDHB and specialty area Provides clinical supervision to speciality area ensuring a system of feedback is utilised to address deficits Identifies barriers to patient/client, family or whanau satisfaction and addresses same Acts as a clinical resource for all clinical staff Participates in critical incidents debriefing Quality Contributes to continuous quality improvement in the workplace Demonstrates understanding of risk and Privacy requirements Maintains knowledge of / updates / develops WDHB policies Risks are identified and remedial action taken to address issues in a prompt manner Contributes professionally to multidisciplinary clinical discussion and decision as appropriate Peer review is well established Develops and maintains quality systems and professional standards. Standards are contemporary evidence-based and complied with Quality indicators are monitored and remedial action taken. Reports are well presented and demonstrate appropriate follow-up of target groups and secondary referrals Is courteous, diplomatic and positive in working relationships especially in stressful situations Technical Skills Abel to keep up and undertake regular training with the fast moving technical developments of the Hearing Aid technology Calibration of equipment and electrical checks CAPEX requirements Professional Development Practices in accordance with best practice legal, ethical and
KEY TASKS and Clinical Competency Culturally sensitive practice Workplace Health and Safety To recognise Individual Responsibility for Workplace Health and Safety under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 EXPECTED OUTCOMES professional standards Maintains own clinical expertise and knowledge in current specialty to facilitate clinical teaching Establishes annual goals, objectives, performance targets and strategies to meet these Develops and improves own qualifications and practise in relation to role Proactively participates in own performance development and review Identifies and promotes staff development based on knowledge of service needs and WDHB strategic direction Attends educational opportunities/conferences relevant to Audiology role and scope of practice Promotes bicultural practice in the Audiology workforce and assists in initiatives developed to positively impact on Maori health status Assists in the leadership and management of projects to improve Maori access to healthcare services Company health and safety policies are read and understood and relevant procedures applied to their own work activities Workplace hazards are identified and reported, including self management of hazards where appropriate Can identify health and safety representative for area VERIFICATION: Employee: Department Head: Date:
PERSON SPECIFICATION POSITION TITLE: Qualification Audiologist Minimum NZ Registered Audiologist with a current annual practicing certificate Maintains membership of NZAS and as an accredited assessor for EnAble. Preferred Experience 5 plus years post registration At least 3 years within specialty department or in Community practice Skills and knowledge Highly competent in dealing with issues surrounding Hearing Problems and dealing with patients/clients and their families Highly proficient, technically competent in core Audiology practices including autonomous decision making and taking responsibility for treatment outcomes Ongoing commitment to continuing education Understanding of the patient care process and can map a more efficient service Demonstrates ability to work with all Medical staff, nurses, allied health professionals and departmental staff in a collaborative way to achieve best patient outcomes Computer skills for data management and clinical care management Proven skills in researching, accessing and synthesizing information and ability to produce reports Ability to effectively share clinical knowledge with others and seek guidance and advice from medical associates Committed to continuous quality improvements and policy requirements for WDHB Extensive specialist knowledge in Audiology and worked in the role of Audiology specialist Knowledge of Audiology professional development issues
Minimum Personal Attributes Excellent communicator intelligent, positive, realistic and inclusive Excellent interpersonal and customer services practices Understanding of and commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Initiative and innovation in practice and project management Able to work autonomously but takes direction as required. Able to plan and prioritise workload A positive Audiology identity and ability to act as role model for other Audiology staff Able to handle stress effectively in self Positive Manner. Able to influence/advise without conflict Calm, consistent and mature personality Upholds confidentiality with reputation for high integrity and discretion Demonstrated confident collaborative approach, strong and self-reliant Sensitive and constructive in responding to the needs of individuals and groups Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with other clinical service providers Is aware of contemporary standards and has reputation of providing good Audiology care Demonstrated ability to share clinical knowledge with others, both one-to-one and group learning within the clinical area Seeks guidance and supervision Understands the importance of good relationships in ensuring continuity of care, hospital and community care Preferred Able to keep perspective and maintains balance