Audiologist

Summary

The Audiologist reports directly to the Clinical Manager and/or Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM), and may be under the guidance of a more senior program‑specific clinician. The Audiologist provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation services for auditory, vestibular, and related disorders; evaluates, selects, fits and dispenses hearing instruments and cochlear implants; and provides aural rehabilitation to assist patients in regaining or utilizing their hearing abilities at the highest level possible.

Brown University Health employees are expected to role‑model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence and to demonstrate the core Success Factors:
Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

• Communication
  :
  Demonstrates the highest level of communication and professionalism with patients, caregivers, rehabilitation staff, providers, and other health‑care professionals; exhibits effective verbal and non‑verbal communication; communicates clearly, respectfully, and honestly; and adjusts communication to the level of understanding of the listener.
• Principal Duties
  :
  • Examine and evaluate patients to determine degree and type of hearing loss.
  • Establish diagnosis and prognosis for hearing improvement through use of artificial aids based on patient symptoms.
  • Perform specialized testing (e.g., site of lesion, auditory brainstem response testing, otoacoustic emissions, vestibular evoked potentials, acoustic reflex testing, videonystagmography).
  • Evaluate and manage children and adults with central auditory processing disorders.
  • Measure and interpret auditory evoked potentials for neurophysiologic intra‑operative monitoring and cranial nerve assessment.
  • Perform cochlear implant evaluations and mapping.
  • Perform otoscopic examination for evaluation of hearing or balance disorders.
  • Create ear impressions, fit hearing protection or prosthetic devices.
  • Assess and provide non‑medical management of tinnitus.
  • Screen for speech‑language, audio logic evaluation, and/or identification of communication disorders.
  • Provide education and counseling to patients and caregivers regarding rehabilitation, test results, aids, and expectations of hearing impairment.
  • Fit, program, dispense, and monitor 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.
  • May provide specialized aural rehabilitation training for patients whose hearing cannot be helped by amplification.
  • Complete documentation and charges timely and accurately, in compliance with department policy and professional and regulatory standards.
  • Consistently apply evidence‑based practice to all aspects of clinical care.
  • Seek additional guidance when necessary to assure safe and effective patient care.
  • Recommend and refer for additional diagnostic testing and/or services.
• Additional Duties
  :
  • Comply with hospital and departmental policies and guidelines.
  • Participate in strategic departmental quality improvement initiatives.
  • Provide education to other hospital departments, personnel, students, and outside agencies/schools.
  • Demonstrate ability to flex schedule based on department, patient, and/or caregiver need.
  • Determine priorities according to departmental and patient care need.
  • Participate in community‑based professional events.
  • Participate in ongoing educational activities.
  • Support and promote departmental teamwork.
  • Complete mandatory departmental and hospital training.
  • Ensure maintenance and operational condition of equipment utilized for evaluation.

• BASIC KNOWLEDGE
  :
  Master’s degree in Audiology from an accredited institution if licensed by December 31, 2007;
  Audiology Doctoral degree 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);
  Audiologists supervising students who wish to obtain the CCC‑A of ASHA must hold the…