Healthcare Scientist Support Worker

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Hearing Implant Team based at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol as a Healthcare Science Support Worker. We are a regional specialist service caring for severely hearing impaired adults and children across the South West of England.

You will work closely with colleagues to provide clinical services to deaf people and their families across the South West of England. The role requires daily direct contact with patients to support the use, repair and maintenance of hearing implant equipment as well as the related administration via Trust systems. Training is available in post. Prior hospital experience or similar is preferable but not essential. 

We are looking for a person with empathy and excellent communication, record keeping and organisation skills. The successful applicant will demonstrate good team working skills and an ability to work independently to support both our patients and clinical staff in a timely and effective manner. 

The post is full-time, working days Monday-Friday. 

We are a small, very friendly and supportive team who are passionate about our quality of service.

Main duties of the job

• To be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in a regional specialist service providing a range of hearing implants for adults and children who have a hearing loss across the South West of England.
• To provide support to the clinical and administration staff within the Hearing Implant Team to ensure the smooth running of the programme.
• Liaise closely with Administrator re all stock/equipment ordered, and received, processing paperwork and taking implants to theatres in readiness for surgery.
• Process post/equipment received from patients, send replacements batteries and spares as requested.
• Register new stock onto Implant database.
• To track when stock is received into the department and to liaise with companies when necessary e.g. when goods are not received.
• To escalate patient queries, capacity problems and general issues to the role’s line manager or relevant clinical staff as appropriate.
• To undertake reception duties including booking of appointments processing of emails and administrative support as required.
• Show understanding and empathy to patients.
• To complete and send equipment and repair reports to implant manufacturers.
• Keep accurate and efficient records. Produce statistics as required.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of, or enthusiasm for, working with clients with hearing impairment.
• Experience of dealing with the public, both on the telephone and in person.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of using a Patient Management & Administration systems.
• Knowledge of data protection act and patient confidentiality.
• Knowledge of cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids.
• Experience of working within an outpatient department or other healthcare based support role.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective and polite manner when dealing with people, both face to face and on the phone.
• Confidence to handle difficult conversations with patients, relatives and carers.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft packages.
• Ability to work and communicate with colleagues across a multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to work effectively in a busy team.

Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Able to work competently and prioritise workload. Able to respond to issues that arise at short notice efficiently and calmly, using own initiative and judgment as necessary.
• Aptitude for working with technology and attention to detail.
• Patient and sympathetic Attitude.
• Upholding Trust’s values.

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria

• Educated to GCSE, grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths.
• A level in Science or equivalent.

Desirable criteria

• Completion of a recognised Assistant Technical Officer training course or equivalent experience.