Audiologist

Demonstrates the highest level of communication and professionalism with patients caregivers rehabilitation staff providers and other health care professionals both within the academic medical center and in the community.

• Exhibits effective and professional verbal and non-verbal communication


• Communicates clearly respectfully and honestly with patients and/or caregivers and colleagues


• Communicates proactively with other caregivers involved in patients' care


• Adjusts communication and response to the level of understanding of the listener

Principal Duties:

• Examines and evaluates patients to determine degree and type of hearing loss


• Establishes diagnosis and prognosis for hearing improvement through use of artificial aids based on patient symptoms


• Performs specialized testing (e.g. site of lesion auditory brainstem response testing otoacoustic emissions vestibular evoked potentials acoustic reflex testing videonystagmography) Evaluates and manages children and adults with central auditory processing disorders


• Measures and interprets auditory evoked potentials for the purpose of neurophysiologic inter-operative monitoring and cranial nerve assessment


• Performs cochlea implant evaluations and mapping


• Performs otoscopic examination for evaluation of hearing or balance disorders


• Creates ear impressions fits hearing protection or prosthetic devices


• Performs assessment and non-medical management of tinnitus


• Provides screening of speech-language for audiologic evaluation and/or identification of communication disorders


• Provides education and counseling to patients and caregivers regarding rehabilitation test results aids and expectations of hearing impairment.


• Evaluates and counsels patients concerning appropriate hearing aids


• Fits programs dispenses and monitors use of hearing aids.


• May provide audiological rehabilitation including speech reading communication management language development auditory skill development and counseling for psychosocial adjustment to hearing loss to patients and caregivers


• May provide specialized aural rehabilitation training in order to assist patients whose hearing cannot be helped by amplification.


• Completes documentation and charges timely and accurately in compliance with department policy


• Completes clinical documentation reflecting eligibility/ medical necessity of services in compliance with professional and regulatory standards


• Consistently applies evidence-based practice to all aspects of clinical care


• Seeks additional guidance when necessary to assure safe and effective patient care


• Recommends and refers for additional diagnostic testing and/or services

Additional Duties:

• Complies with hospital and departmental policies and guidelines


• Participates in strategic departmental quality improvement initiatives


• Provides education to other hospital departments/personnel students and outside agencies/schools


• Demonstrates ability to flex schedule based on department patient and/or caregiver need


• Determines priorities according to departmental and patient care need


• Participates in community based professional events


• Participates in ongoing educational activities


• Supports and promotes departmental teamwork


• Completes mandatory departmental and hospital training


• Ensures maintenance and operational condition of equipment utilized for evaluation

Master's degree in Audiology from an accredited institution if licensed by December 31 2007. Audiology Doctoral degree from an accredited institution if initial licensure is January 1 2008 or later. State license issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) necessary to practice Audiology in the state of Rhode Island. Audiologists supervising students who wish to obtain the CCC-A of ASHA must hold the CCC-A.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of one-year experience including a one-year clinical externship.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Fit for duty in accordance with OSHA standards and program specific needs.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within the department's policies and practices

Refers specific complex problems to ACM and/or Clinical Manager when clarification of departmental policies and procedures is required

Independently sets goals for professional development

Membership and involvement in discipline specific professional organization and/or other clinically relevant organization is strongly encouraged

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

No direct supervision. However pursuant to the state of Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for Audiologists a licensed audiologist shall at all times be responsible for the clinical supervision of supportive personnel Clinical Fellows and students to ensure the safety and welfare of patients including cosigning notes reviewing patient treatment plans and goals.