What does an Audiologist do?
Audiologists treat patients of all ages, including newborn babies, children, adults and elderly people. They often work closely together with other healthcare professionals, such as Speech Therapists, Neurologists and Physiotherapists, to provide patients with comprehensive treatment plans. Apart from general audiology, Audiologists can specialise in various areas, such as paediatrics, implants or auditory rehabilitation. They work in various health settings, including hospitals, audiology clinics and physicians’ offices.
Audiologist skills and qualifications
The job of an Audiologist requires interacting with people throughout the day. Whether they’re discussing treatment plans with patients or liaising with other healthcare providers, Audiologists need excellent communication skills. These include good active listening skills to accurately gauge what others are trying to convey and the ability to clearly verbalise information. In addition, a successful Audiologist will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that can include:
- A compassionate and empathetic nature to provide patients with the proper support and care
- Patience when dealing with patients who may not be responding as anticipated to treatment
- Good teamwork skills to effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals
- Strong analytical skills to arrive at the correct diagnosis
- Excellent problem-solving skills to determine the most effective treatment plans
- Solid researching skills to remain aware of current trends in the field
Audiologist experience requirements
The level of experience an Audiologist needs varies depending on the position. Before an Audiologist can register as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), they need a certain amount of practical experience. For this reason, employers are often willing to hire newly certified practitioners. However, candidates may need more extensive experience for certain posts. Depending on the position, they may need general experience in clinical audiology or in an area of specialisation, such as paediatrics. Candidates who apply for senior posts may need to show experience in managing junior Audiologists and other healthcare staff members.
Audiologist education and training requirements
Audiologist candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field can apply for an NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). This work-based training programme provides candidates with valuable work experience. Once they have completed the STP, candidates apply for a Certificate of Attainment from the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS). This allows them to register as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC. Those without an undergraduate degree can apply for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), which leads to a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Science (Audiology) and also includes valuable training.
Audiologist salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Audiologist in the UK is £35,019 per year. Salaries vary according to factors like location, education, level of experience and employer.
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