Audiology Associate Practitioner (Fast Track)

An exciting opportunity exists to enter the NHS Audiology career pathway as an Associate Practitioner in Audiology. This would particularly suit science graduates who wish to apply science in the direct care of others. The post will be based at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest but will also involve working across the Health Board within supportive Audiology departments familiar with training provision at this level. Individuals will complete a Certificate of Higher Education in Basic Audiological Practice through block release at Swansea University. However, the majority of training will be delivered in the clinical setting, supporting a range of clinical activities but primarily caring for adult patients at the base hospital. It is anticipated that employment prospects in Wales will be promising for those completing the training scheme. Work is underway nationally to facilitate next step progression through the career pathway to roles as Audiologists, for those individuals with
aptitude and commitment to do so.

The post holder will work closely with the training co-ordinator/officer and more senior members of staff, supervisors and mentors to follow the curriculum for the Audiology Training Programme., The role will involve performing hearing assessments and assisting with developing the individual care/management plans of patients with hearing loss. The overall clinical objective will be to intervene to meet the social and communication needs of patients.The post holder will be expected to routinely demonstrate clinical judgement on a range of presenting clinical facts or scenarios, requiring analysis and comparison/selection of management options. Aside from formal training provision, clinical supervision and mentoring will be accessible during the normal schedule of the working day.The post holder will also be required to use scientific/analytical skills within a role supporting audit and development activity within the service.The post holder will complete an 18 month Audiology course and associated in-post training programme that will build upon their existing generic scientific knowledge and skills. They will work to locally and nationally agreed protocols. The course will provide
experience in interventions with routine/non-complex hearing pathologies/disabilities for patients of all ages, but with a particular focus on developing skills in hearing testing, fitting of hearing aids and other elements of adult rehabilitation.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 11,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;

48 general practices (four of which are managed practices), 47 dental practices (including three orthodontic), 99 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres