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Clinical Scientist in Audiology (Band 7)

Clinical Scientists in Audiology provide specialist face to face care to adult and paediatric patients. This is a highly complex role examining patients with ear, hearing or balance and other related problems, which requires a wide scientific and clinical knowledge base.

Clinical Scientists work in specialist patient facing areas within the Audiology department such as Paediatric Assessment and Rehabilitation, Vestibular (Balance) Assessment and Rehabilitation, Non-Routine Adults and Tinnitus Assessment and Management. They are also responsible for managing highly complex cases throughout the service and providing detailed advice and information, and reports to patients / carers and other clinical professionals. While they may work across all these sections, they often take a clinical lead for one of the speciality areas.  

In addition to working in specialist patient facing areas, the Clinical Scientist role usually involves a non-clinical aspect. This could include research and development, involvement in Audiology regional meetings, clinical audit and service improvement, and complaint management. 

Clinical Scientists provide support, supervision and instruction to students and department staff of all grades. They often also have significant leadership and staff management roles.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Clinical Scientist in Audiology (Band 7) include assessment of complex patient groups, result interpretation, diagnosis and patient management. Responsibilities vary dependant on the speciality area and department base: 

Paediatrics 

  • History taking and auditory assessment of hearing from birth to 4 years using a range of age-appropriate test procedures. 
  • Counselling parents / carers / patients as appropriate about the nature and extend of hearing loss, including appropriate management options. 
  • Glue ear monitoring and onward referral. 
  • Selection and provision of appropriate paediatric rehabilitation management such as hearing aids, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids, remote microphones etc, using real ear measurements where required.  
  • Liaising with other staff involved in the assessment and rehabilitation process including audiological and medical staff, and local sensory support services.  
  • Providing follow-up appointments to fine tuning hearing aids.  
  • Cochlear Implant Assessment / Rehabilitation. 

 

Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation 

 

  • History taking and development of individual assessment plan based on patient needs. 
  • Clinical assessment of balance function in patients and follow up assessment where required. 
  • Balance Rehabilitation. 
  • Liaising with other staff involved in the assessment and rehabilitation process including audiological and medical staff. 

Non-Routine and Complex Adult Assessment and Rehabilitation  

  • Speech Audiometry. 
  • Cochlear Implant Assessment / Rehabilitation. 
  • Auditory Processing Disorder assessment and management. 
  • Bone Anchored Hearing Aid assessment and fitting. 
  • Providing audiological assessment and management for patients with learning disabilities. 
  • Tinnitus assessment and management, including onward referral to other clinical specialists as required. 
  • Non-Organic Hearing Assessment. 
  • Liaising with other staff involved in the assessment and rehabilitation process including audiological and medical staff. 

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential as the role includes complex communication with patients, carers, and other health professionals. They must also be able to support junior staff and trainee staff across all levels in the department. 

Clinical Scientists must have excellent organisational skills and be able to prioritise their own workload. They need to be able to work in a calm and methodical manner and often have many competing demands in their workload. 

A caring nature is essential as the role is patient focused. As a significant proportion of this role includes aural rehabilitation, excellent counselling skills are required. Clinical Scientists must be able to empathise with patients and provide re-assurance when required and are able to deal with difficult patients. 

Clinical Scientists in Audiology need to have a wide scientific and clinical knowledge base across all areas of department. 

Salary

Band 7 £41,659 to 47,672 per year pro rata 

Working hours

Usually Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm (Occasional weekend work depending on the requirements of the service). 

Employers

Usually, NHS based but with some role availability in private healthcare.  There are also opportunities to join clinical research facilities. 

Work experience

No previous experience in the Audiology setting is required before beginning an MSc in Audiology, however experience working at any grade in an Audiology Department would be useful. A previous caring role might be advantageous.  Volunteering work in an associated area would also be beneficial.   

Some Healthcare Science Practitioners (Band 5) and Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners in Audiology (Band 6) choose to further their careers by completing an MSc in Audiology and associated clinical training route. 

What to expect:

This is mainly a patient facing role so a good fit for this position is a people centred person with an open approach, who has excellent problem-solving and technical ability, and communication skills.  

Clinical Scientists in Audiology follow departmental policies and procedures to maintain departmental standards and ensure patient safety. They also follow a full range of role specific British Society of Audiology recommended procedures for their areas of practice.   

As with other roles in the Audiology Department, a significant part of this role involves the use of computers and specialist medical equipment associated with the Audiology Department.    

Clinical Scientists in Audiology must be registered with HCPC to use the protected title of “Clinical Scientist”. 

Clinical Scientists are independent practitioners who access junior staff support for some aspects of their roles. The work is varied and complex in nature and staff at this level need to be adaptable to the demands of the patient and service overall.  

There is usually a significant requirement at this level to provide specialist training to staff of all grades and management of specific service areas. 

Clinical Scientists conduct specialist research in Audiology to develop clinical practice and evidence base.  

Career Progression

Progression from Band 7 Clinical Scientist roles to Band 8 Senior Clinical Scientist / Consultant Scientist roles are possible with post qualification experience and further study. It is necessary to apply for these posts as they become available.  

Other progression routes at this level include moving into academia, research, or policy / practice development at a national or international level. 

NHS Course Finder British Academy of Audiology Degree Options NHS Jobs - Apprenticeships

How do I become a Clinical Scientist in Audiology (Band 7)?

To become a Clinical Scientist in Audiology you need to complete the Scientific Training Programme (STP). This is a three-year programme with an integrated MSc in Audiology.  

There are limited numbers of students on this programme resulting in lots of competition for these places. 

Applications for the STP can be made via the National School of Healthcare Science website. 

NHS Jobs

Routes to become a Clinical Scientist in Audiology (Band 7):

There are two main routes to become a Healthcare Science Practitioner (Band 5). These include: 

  • University degree application (e.g., BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Audiology or BSc (Hons) Audiology). Applications via this route would be submitted online through UCAS. The British Academy of Audiology provides a list of accredited degree programmes. This is also known as the Practitioner Training Programme (or PTP) route. 
  • Apprenticeship and NHS Trust funded routes. Opportunities and applications via this route are available online through multiple websites, such as NHS Jobs and GOV.UK’s “find an apprenticeship” service.  

 

Cardiac Science Careers BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences at the University of Sunderland Level 7 Scientist Training Programme Level 8+ - Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST)

University

You will need a degree – BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Audiology or BSc (Hons) Audiology). Applications via this route would be submitted online through UCAS. The British Academy of Audiology provides a list of accredited degree programmes. This is also known as the Practitioner Training Programme (or PTP) route. 

No previous experience in the Audiology setting is required before beginning an MSc in Audiology, however experience working at any grade in an Audiology Department would be useful. A previous caring role might be advantageous.  Volunteering work in an associated area would also be beneficial.   

Entry requirements will vary dependant on the degree or degree apprenticeship programme route and the University. It is important that you check specific University requirements. 

Requirements usually include: 

  • GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English or equivalent.  
  • Two or three A-levels (include either Biology or Chemistry) or equivalent. 
  • Programmes will also require an enhanced DBS disclosure and checks before you begin a placement in the NHS.  
BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences at the University of Sunderland NHS Course Finder UCAS Academy for Healthcare Science - AHCS National School of Healthcare Science British Academy of Audiology Degree Options Undergraduate courses

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship and NHS Trust funded routes

Opportunities and applications via this route are available online through multiple websites, such as NHS Jobs and GOV.UK’s “find an apprenticeship” service.  

Entry requirements will vary dependant on the degree or degree apprenticeship programme route and the University. It is important that you check specific University requirements. 

Requirements usually include: 

  • GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English or equivalent.  
  • Two or three A-levels (include either Biology or Chemistry) or equivalent. 
  • Programmes will also require an enhanced DBS disclosure and checks before you begin a placement in the NHS.  
NHS Health Careers Find an Apprenticeship NHS Jobs

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