Cochlear Support/ Audiology Assist (HCA)

The post holder will be working as part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team and will be required to assist in a wide range of duties.

The post holder will be responsible to the Director of the National Hearing Implant Centre overall, but to individual clinicians and administrative staff with regard to work undertaken in the department.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Clinical

• To assist clinicians during assessment, tuning and therapy sessions as instructed by the clinician.
• To assist with arranging groups and to support delivery of group sessions as required eg. parent/patient information sessions, training days.
• Ensure clinical rooms and equipment are prepared at the beginning of each session and left in a clean and tidy manner at the end of each session in line with hospital hygiene and safety standards (This includes cleaning and sterilising all toys and necessary equipment).
• To replenish consumable resources in clinical rooms
• Ensure basic calibration / equipment checks have been carried out and documented on equipment at the beginning of each day / week as directed by senior clinicians as well as reporting any faults found immediately.
• To develop rapport with patients & families.
• To ensure patients & families are received promptly in a professional and courteous manner
• To use skills learnt to support conversation particularly with reference to communicating with deaf people and those with complex needs.
• To assist with the transfer of patients between clinical areas.
• To troubleshoot cochlear implant and hearing aid equipment, selecting appropriate replacement technology.
• To make follow-up phone calls, text messages and e-mails to patients/ families to assist with remote troubleshooting of equipment and to update them on the status of cochlear implant and hearing aid repairs e.g. ready for collection
• Manage cochlear implant sound processor and hearing aid stock, in conjunction with administrative personnel.
• Manage cochlear implant and hearing aid repairs by processing the items on database e.g. items received in or being sent to supplier for repair.
• To maintain patient records within departmental standards.

2. Administrative
• To co-operate with data collection systems and departmental administrative procedures and to input statistics as required.
• To assist in distribution of questionnaires (e.g. communication history form, feedback questionnaires) and mail merges to patients and/or family as required.
• To update and maintain equipment and stationery within the department.
• Maintain adequate supply of report sheets and relevant clinical handouts for all clinical specialties.
• To assist with stock control and the ordering of supplies and to ensure that supplies are stored appropriately once they are received in.
• To liaise with non-clinical services as necessary (e.g. technical Services, IT, Stores).
• To provide limited clerical support as required (e.g. photocopying, scanning).
• To comply with all relevant statutory, local and hospital regulations and policies at all times.
• To maintain a record of equipment that is issued to patients.
• To prepare resources to support home activities for patients (e.g. work sheets, games, etc.) as directed by clinicians.
• To have a basic working knowledge of computers eg. Microsoft word
• To become familiar with the software packages eg. Bawtry Computer Services and office technology eg Duplex Copier/scanner within the department.

3. Other
• Attend mandatory training (e.g. induction, lifting and handling, infection control)
• Participate in trouble shooting training and other training from departmental staff and from external specialists as directed.
• Attend departmental meetings and other relevant meetings.
• To perform other such duties appropriate to the office as may from time to time be assigned by the Manager and/or designated officer.

Suitable candidates should demonstrate:
• A friendly and approachable manner.
• Knowledge of child development and the impact of special needs on acquiring functional skills.
• Recent experience of working with children in relevant settings eg. hospital, school , clinic etc
• Experience working with carers/parents within a relevant setting.
• Ability to interact and work well with patients of all ages including very young children and patients with complex needs.
• Possess excellent communication skills, particularly with reference to communicating with deaf people.
• Have a positive attitude to deafness and respect for Deaf Culture.
• Flexible approach to working with others and be able to successfully work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willing to extend knowledge by attending formal courses and by learning from other staff.
• Basic I.T skills
• Manual dexterity is necessary.
• Ability to work on their own initiative.

This job description outlines the main duties of the post and is subject to review and amendment.

Mandatory:

Certificate in Healthcare Support at FETAC level 5 (8 modules minimum completed).
Mandatory Modules that must be completed as part of the 8 modules are:
- Communications
- Care Skills
- Infection, Prevention & Control

(List of completed modules must be highlighted on your CV)

Desirable:

• Deaf awareness and/or knowledge of sign language an advantage
• Experience working with children with special needs

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name:                Susan Pickett
Email address:   susanpickett@beaumont.ie
Telephone:         01 797 4458 & DECT: 7370