Audiologist

Detailed Overview

Provides audiology services in accordance with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC) standards of practice, Fraser Health mission, values and audiology acute care standard, and in collaboration and partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of patient and family centered care. Provides assessment, audiological diagnosis and prognosis, treatment plan and intervention development, implementation and evaluation, and patient consultation and education to enable the patient to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes. Participates in approved audiology and interprofessional research, special projects, and program quality and safety activities. Responsibilities Provides audiology assessment of the patient's hearing and neural status, functional abilities, needs, and goals by methods such as reviewing records, gathering information, interviewing the patient, identifying patient and audiologist expectations, selecting and applying evidence-based assessment methods, consulting with members of the health care team, performing examinations, and monitoring the patient's health to improve, maintain or support audiological performance. Analyzes the patient's needs, establishes audiological diagnosis and prognosis and develops an evidence-based, outcome-focused intervention strategy; utilizes assessment and reassessment findings, discusses the analysis with the patient and caregivers, develops short and long term goals and selects a practice model/intervention consistent with patient needs and goals to achieve optimal health outcomes. Recommends interventions in accordance with established treatment guidelines and educates patients and caregivers regarding self-management, health promotion and injury/disability prevention. Participates in the interprofessional care planning process for patients as appropriate by updating the care plan as needed, providing referrals to appropriate services, and collaborating and communicating on issues that will affect the care plan. Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of interventions by methods such as conducting assessments and reassessments, monitoring patient responses, evaluating changes in health status, function and audiological performance against pre-determined goals and expected outcomes, and modifying the intervention strategy to achieve and maintain optimal functional independence and audiological performance. Participates in maintaining seamless quality patient care by identifying appropriate referrals for audiology services, screening for priority of intervention, and identifying and facilitating referrals to appropriate health care/community programs. Collaborates with patients and their families/care givers in developing the care plan and encourages family participation in the development, implementation and ongoing modification of the care plan. Establishes a therapeutic relationship by demonstrating empathy, trust and respect, advocating for the patient's rights to privacy, dignity and access to information, and by ensuring the patient's choice and autonomy in decision making and care planning. Maintains a variety of records including patient files by gathering information, entering data into computerized databases and/or documenting information into approved formats. Notes patient progress, changes to treatment plan, and records test/treatment results to provide evidence and rationale that support assessment findings and intervention plan. Compiles statistics on workload activities and summarizes information into written reports as requested. Delegates components of treatment to speech and hearing assistants by providing work direction and verbal and/or written instruction, ensuring and documenting the appropriate transfer of function and ensuring quality patient care. Acts as an audiology resource to other audiologists, speech and hearing assistants, and students by assisting with orientation and demonstrating procedures. Provides audiology information and inservices to other members of the health care team and attends meetings as a representative of audiology. Participates in team/program activities required to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and to facilitate evidence-based practice. Promotes quality and safety principles, identifies processes/procedures that require improvement and provides recommendations for review. Participates in approved audiology and interprofessional research, special projects, and committees including professional practice councils and clinical decision support tool development. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Current registration with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC) including applicable College certification(s). Skills and Abilities Knowledge of audiology theory and practice within a patient and family centered model of care. Knowledge of the CSHHPBC standards of practice and practice guidelines for clinical practitioners. Knowledge of audiological standardized tests, measures, use of equipment and related techniques. Broad knowledge of other health care professions and their role in patient care. Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, caregivers, speech and hearing assistants, members of the interprofessional care team, both verbally (one-on-one and in groups) and in writing. Ability to teach and provide effective consultation to patients, caregivers, speech and hearing assistants and other health care professionals. Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others. Ability to establish workload priorities and adjust to unexpected events. Basic knowledge of research process and methodology. Ability to operate related equipment including relevant software applications. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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