Audiologist

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Audio/Speech Therapy related duties: Evaluates patients and uses sound therapy to improve physical and mental conditions. Responsibilities also include improving physical and mental conditions through treating a variety of speech disorders and communication difficulties. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

This position evaluates auditory function of patients, counseling patients on hearing loss and communication disorders, in addition to discussing options for communication enhancement. The position offers and provides rehabilitation for patients within Audiology's realm of practice along with referring patients to other clinical services as appropriate. Works in close collaboration with the Department's Business Manager in overseeing and supervising the entire team of Audiologists and support staff with the goal of creating a smooth operation and flow of patients through the division. This includes supporting the needs of the team of Otolaryngology physicians and their practices. The primary focus for this position will be the oversight of the clinical aspects of the Audiology division. Assists in the supervision, training, and orientation of staff Audiologists, medical and audiology students, as well as non-medical staff.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Doctorate (AuD) degree in Audiology.

2. Audiologist License.

3. Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

4. Three (3) years of clinical experience.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Obtains a comprehensive case history for each patient through patient-family interview and/or review of medical records.

2. Selects and administers appropriate diagnostic tests to determine degree, type of hearing loss, site of lesion and effect hearing loss has upon communication.

3. Evaluates auditory function of patients utilizing standard pure tone and speech tests, immittance tests, site of lesion tests, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiometry.

4. Independently evaluates and provides direct clinical services to patients who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems.

5. Interprets results and coordinates them with medical and educational information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.

6. Effectively communicates diagnostic test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments in a manner easily understood by otologists.

7. Refers appropriately to otolaryngologists.

8. Provides hearing aid evaluations, counseling, and referrals.

9. Prescribes, fits, and evaluates hearing aids and other devices. Provides follow-up consultations after hearing aids have been fitted to make sure clients receive the clearest amplification.

10. Assists in training medical and audiology students and non-medical staff.

11. Maintains clinic material and equipment including periodic calibration checks and motor repairs and adjustment.

12. Assists with coordination of audiological services and activities in the neighborhood health centers, schools and appropriate agencies.

13. May conduct research on types of-and treatment for-hearing, balance, and related disorders. Others design and develop equipment or techniques for diagnosing and treating these disorders.

14. Interacts and works with related services, such as speech-language pathology, pediatrics, neonatology, etc. to ensure continuity of patient care.

15. Directs and supervises assigned Audiology and performs tasks including completing performance evaluations, recommending performance improvements, scheduling, orientation, and training.

16. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, disciplinary actions, terminations and similar actions.

17. Provides effective direction, guidance and leadership over the staff to promote teamwork and motivation.

18. Coordinates assignments of tasks for efficient utilization of available resources.

19. Assists in the development and management of the division, as well as provides recommendations for the Audiology division.

20. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

21. Evaluates vestibular system with electronystamography (ENG) procedures.

22. Resolves grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

1. Requires occasional standing, standing and walking & transferring of patients.

2. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.

3. Requires ability to see computer screen and reports.

4. Visually assess functional status of patients, see hearing aid appliances, and audibly assess patient subjective complaints.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of audiology, basic clinical audiology, audiometry, the psychology of learning and the principles of human growth and development as applied to speech, of audiology equipment, medical terminology, of counseling, of problems of the hearing impaired and the physically handicapped and of the sources for providing speech language therapy.

2. Ability to operate competently or with reasonable accommodations the following: console & portable audiometer, CD player, impedance bridge, Fonix Hearing Aid Test System, auditory evoked response system, otoscope.

3. Ability to perform hearing aid inspection and minor repair functions; listening check, cleaning battery door/earhook, waxguard/tubing replacement.

4. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

5. Ability to coach and provide training to medical and non-medical personnel in audiology, to plan, assign, coordinate, and evaluate work.

6. Ability to review daily census and prioritize the schedule to ensure all patients are seen prior to discharge or according to schedule.

7. Ability to calibrate the equipment and recognize if there is a problem prior to completing the examination.

8. Ability to effectively communicate effectively with parents, family members and the medical/nursing staff to answer questions and troubleshoot scheduling problems

9. Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.

10. Proficient with standard Microsoft programs (i.e. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and web browsers.