Newborn Hearing Screener

Job overview

Band 3 Newborn Hearing Screener

1 Positions Available: 1 x 18 hrs. per week (3 x 6) hour shifts

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our Newborn Hearing Screening Programme to assist in providing hearing screening for babies born in South Warwickshire.

These positions will include some weekend working.

The successful applicant will undergo in-house practical training, E-learning modules and undertake an external competency assessment. In addition to this  will be required to complete a Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners Newborn hearing Screening, (unless a candidates holds professional registration in a healthcare role).

The successful applicant will have good interpersonal and communication skills and confidence in the handling of newborn babies. They will need to be IT competent, self-motivated and able to manage own workload with an ability to work both within a team and independently.

Main duties of the job

The Newborn Hearing Screener works as a member of the Newborn Hearing Screening team, participating in the screening of newborn babies hearing under the supervision of the local manager for the Programme. Screening of babies takes place within the Maternity Unit and Special Care Baby Unit at Warwick Hospital, with occasional outpatient clinics at Warwick and Stratford Hospitals.

The role involves gathering and recording clinical and screen data, completing the automated hearing screen and making onward referrals to Audiology where required. This involves direct handling of newborn babies and contact with parents and other professionals.

All newborn hearing screeners must complete Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners Newborn hearing Screening, (unless a candidate’s holds professional registration in a healthcare role). Screeners will be required to complete, an external competency assessment and eLearning Modules.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To identify which babies require screening by using the Screening database (Smart4Hearing), Patient Administration database, Audiology database and liaising with ward staff, screen and data collection.

To gather and accurately record clinical and screen data relevant to the screening process.

To complete the hearing screen and communicate results to parents, team members, Local Manager, Midwives and other health care professionals.

To upload results from the screening process to the national database in a timely manner.

To promote a professional, welcoming and caring environment endorsing a family friendly approach to care, ensuring that parents and families retain their dignity and individuality at all times.

Facilitate the smooth running of the programme in association with the Local Manager and other team members, by maintaining an up to date knowledge of procedures and policies relevant to the post, and be participating in clinical audit at local, regional and national levels.

Concentration required to manage own workload and when screening on a busy ward where the work pattern can be unpredictable. This includes uploading screen results to national database.

On occasion, the post holder will be required to deal with emotional situations e.g. with parents whose baby has obtained a “no clear response” at hearing screen.

Ensure consumables/stock are sufficient in order to be able to be able to run the service and re-order if necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

To have excellent communication skills and ability to establish rapport with parents, team members and other professionals.

To organise own workload and maintain good time management.

Standard IT skills require for uploading screen results.

To maintain the confidentiality of the babies and their families at all times and follow local child protection policies.

Communications and Working Relationships

Attend meetings and training events at departmental, regional and national level as required by the service.

To ensure the safety and security of equipment at all times and report any problems to the Local Manager at the earliest opportunity.

To provide support / observational training to new team members and other professionals visiting the department.