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 and action plans in relation to current and ongoing 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 resources and liaise with other professionals and regional offices in relation to aural Rehabilitation classes and prevention of hearing loss (esp. 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