POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide diagnostic assessment and evaluation of hearing loss.  Prescribe hearing aids and other assistive devices for clients.  Plan and direct treatment/rehabilitation for clients. Clients may be individuals, small groups or organizations. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Service:

1.    In relation to Other Professionals and Agencies:

• Liaise, act as resource for and consult with other professionals, counsellors, agencies and services in relation to confidential client information
• Initiate and prepare effective program development strategies in relation to ongoing community requirements
• Research funding resources for program planning
• Liaise with other professionals (internal/external) and agencies to determine service needs, action plans in relation to current/on-going development of the program
• Write letters to workplaces of clients describing assessment results and therapy and their relation to specific employment duties
• Aiding CHS Speech-Language Pathologists in the explanation of hearing loss to parents of pre-school children with hearing loss
• Provide on going research and maintain information on community resources, government programs etc.
• Provide training to other staff and volunteers in order to facilitate regional aural rehabilitation programs (Hearing Help Classes and Hearing Screening)
• Initiate, develop and execute original research projects and write accompanying papers
• Refer ineligible clients to other community resources
• Act as a resource and liaise with other professionals and regional offices in relation to aural rehabilitation classes and prevention of hearing loss (especially due to noise)
• Represent Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation services on internal CHS committees
• Participate in regional support (including travel) to other CHS audiology programs as able
• Communicate with other health professionals and patients through new technology, namely video-conferencing, for the purposes of clinical assessment through video otoscopy as well as counselling
• As requested, provide input regarding marketing strategies and dispensing fees
• As required, assist in program expansion efforts e.g. support and coverage to the regions
• Other duties as assigned

2.    In Relation to Target Client Groups and Caregivers:

• Perform professional Audiology services including, but not restricted to, those listed below:
• Accept referrals and screen clients, by walk in or phone referral, in order to assess feasibility and eligibility for Canadian Hearing Society Audiological services
• Initiate appointments for eligible clients
• Assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluations
• Determine further appropriate tests as required
• Determine, recommend and perform advanced testing procedures
• Interpret test results to clients and their family members
• Prescribe appropriate hearing aids, FM systems and Assistive Listening Devices in relation to individual hearing loss.
• Counsel and instruct clients in care and maintenance of hearing aids; pair hearing instruments with blue tooth devices and remote controls
• Provide hearing aid checks to ensure appropriate fit of hearing aids to prescription and perform necessary adjustments as needed.
• Prepare accurate in-the-ear earmold impressions for the ordering of custom hearing aids and earmolds for Behind-the-Ear hearing aids.
• Complete manufacturer hearing aid order forms
• Generate sales invoice at point-of-sale for consumers, funders and other agencies.
• Provide hearing aid repairs, such as tubing changes, shell and earmold modifications
• Provide home visits, on occasion, to clients with mobility issues
• Provide information, support and education in relation to hearing aids, hearing loss and related issues for clients in need and their families/caregivers
• Consult with referring physicians, family/caregivers and other support providers in relation to client history
• Refer clients to other agencies or services as required by client needs
• Assist the client and family/caregivers in development of effective communication strategies
• Provide information and education to clients about CHS services and relevant policies and procedures
• Responsible for research, assessment and maintenance of clients in relation to bone conduction, cochlear implants and other special projects as required
• Provide specialized assessment and treatment for clients suffering from tinnitus
• Refer clients to other agencies or services as required by client needs
• Initiate, facilitate and maintain support, speech reading and other groups
• Provide auditory training
• Provide support for the FM contract with the school board, which includes ordering and dispensing FM systems.
• Responsible for hearing screening and providing information at Open Houses, community centers and health fairs.

Administration:

• Keep accurate audiological records in relation to client files, test results, treatment and follow-up
• Initiate, maintain and update accurate client referral and intake documents, notes to file, files, assessment forms and other information as required by CHS, department/government policies and procedures, and CASLPO
• Initiate and follow up on correspondence and phone calls from clients, general public and other referral sources including government and agency contacts
• Generate and mail audiological reports for new clients to their General Practitioners
• Maintain internal (CHS) statistics and reports
• Responsible for data submission to Manager for further submission to funders
• Maintain and provide summary client services reports when required
• Provide administrative information in accordance with government policies e.g.: Freedom of Information Act
• Initiate & maintain mailing lists for Audiological services
• Assist in equipment evaluations, calibrations and maintenance
• Order and maintain equipment inventory
• Responsible for infection control of instruments used for testing, such as otoscope tips, as well as toys used to help with testing children.
• Provide coverage for reception or program assistant duties as required
• Perform the duties of an audiology receptionist on Saturdays; check in clients, enter/update their personal information in the database, create a file for them, schedule appointments
• Determine and provide appropriate rating and accompanying documentation for mentored Audiologist as per CASLPO requirements
• Comply with CASLPO regulations regarding privacy act and client confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned

Financial: 

• Complete financial assistance forms for ADP and other sources as required
• Prepare computer generated sales orders, cost estimates and invoices as well as requests for funding for consumers and other related agencies.
• Prepare, maintain and provide accurate billing records, estimates, invoices, forms for financial assistance and statistics.
• Provide retail sales of hearing aids, FM Systems, accessories and batteries

Supervision:

• Liaise with professionals/instructors in relation to student progress and activities
• Provide reports on performance as required
• Provide training, guidance and monitor workload for Communication Disorders Assistant as per CASLPO guidelines
• Provide supervision of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology students

Community Education:

• Advocate for accessibility and accommodation with external contacts
• Act as CHS representative and provide information about services at external workshops/seminars for other professionals, agencies, networks, etc.
• Act as a resource and provide education/evaluation regarding current Audiological/Rehabilitative testing practices to external contacts, internal and external professionals and other agencies
• Represent CHS on external professional committees as required
• Co-ordinate information and organise, lead, or participate in specific programs such as community or consumer workshops related to hearing health issues
• Participate in community projects and specialised campaigns e.g.: United Way , May Month
• Develop materials to promote CHS and hearing health services
• Participate in the “Physician Referral Program”:  visit General Practitioner offices and provide and explain a tool kit including brochures, articles and a hearing screener.
• Provide mobile hearing screening and  community education through Van Project as required
• Consult and collaborate with other professionals/agencies regarding research
• Participate in media interviews including TV, radio and magazines as required
• Provide written articles about hearing health care, hearing aids and assistive listening devices to newspapers, magazines and professional journals as required

Professional Development:

• Attend conferences, seminars, continuing education courses related to the field (Audiology, and/or other Hearing Loss issues)
• Attend onsite workshop and seminars on new technologies with hearing aids and assistive listening devices
• Provide professional development sessions to Audiology team and other employees at CHS
• Maintain registration (Continuing Education Credit) requirements for CASLPO membership
• Attend internal staff meetings
• Keep up-to-date on issues and information related to position and agency
• Acquire and maintain ASL proficiency requirement for the position (Intermediate-Plus)
• Complete online ASLPO Self Assessment questionnaires
• Compile data and files for CASLPO Peer Assessment

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Reports to Regional Director, Windsor and Director Hearing Health Care, Toronto

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Audiology
• Registered with CASLPO
• Registered as an ADP Authorizer and Dispenser
• 3-5 years experience
• Strong background in dispensing required
• Experience with prescribing and dispensing hearing aids and FM Systems
• Ability to make decisions and handle multiple tasks in a busy clinical environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Internet and electronic clinical management systems and NOAH software
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) or willingness to learn; French and LSQ are assets
• Occasional local and out of town travel e.g. presentations, support to other offices, professional development, etc.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to working in a culturally diverse environment