Job Description: HEARING INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST at UNM Hospital

Receive 17% weekday nights, 26% weekend nights, or 15% weekend day shift differentials!

Department: Audiology

FTE: 1.00
Full Time
Shift: Days

Position Summary:
Under supervision of audiologist, provide services including the testing of hearing in relation to the fitting, adjusting and servicing of hearing devices and assistive listening technology. Provide ongoing counseling and care for the users of hearing technology to ensure efficacy in managing the effects of hearing loss. Assist the audiologist with specific diagnostic and therapeutic services perform clerical and maintenance tasks and supervise audiology assistants and audiology techs. Ensure adherence to hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.

Detailed responsibilities:
* PATIENT CARE AUDITORY SERVICES – Perform hearing tests only in relation to the fitting of hearing instruments. Determine candidacy for hearing instruments and assistive devices. Initiate appropriate follow up to Audiologist as needed. Perform hearing screenings for patients of all ages, newborn to geriatric, as needed or as directed
* PATIENT CARE HEARING INSTRUMENTS – Prescribe, select and fit appropriate hearing instruments and assistive devices; assess hearing instrument efficacy utilizing appropriate fitting verification methodologies; provide ongoing service and repair of hearing instruments including but not limited to hearing aids, assistive listening devices and cochlear implants. Provide ongoing counseling and care for the users of hearing technology to ensure efficacy in managing the effects of hearing loss
* SUPPORT – Provide assistance with diagnostic testing and hearing instruments as directed by Audiologist. Perform Audiology Assistant duties if Audiology Assistant is not available
* MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND DOCUMENTATION – Order and track orders of hearing devices; develop and maintain database of hearing aid invoices; assist in development of reports for statistical data collection; track charges and payments
* CLERICAL - Register and schedule patients; enter charges, answer phones, verify insurance coverage eligibility; assign CPT, ICD, HCPCS codes for procurement of prior authorization; record prior auth information; fax insurance and medical documents; prepare hearing aid documents
* SUPPLIES - Maintain supplies inventory in a neat and orderly manner; order and restock as necessary
* TRAINING - Attend in-service educational programs; attend staff meetings; participate in quality assurance programs
* CUSTOMER RELATIONS - Establish and maintain good rapport and effective working relationships with patients, visitors, physicians and Hospitals employees
* EQUIPMENT & RECORDS - Provide support and assistance with equipment calibration and maintenance; assist in cleaning of patient care supplies
* POLICIES - Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards
* EDUCATION – Complete continuing education hours as required by the New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Board
* PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
* PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
* PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
* PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
* PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
* SUPERVISION – Supervise graduate students, clinical fellows, Audiology Assistants, Audiology Techs and/or paraprofessionals as delegated

Qualifications

Education:
Essential:
* High School or GED Equivalent
Nonessential:
* Bachelor's Degree
Education specialization:
Nonessential:
* Related Discipline

Experience:
Essential:
No minimum experience required

Nonessential:
1 year directly related experience

Credentials:
Essential:
* CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days
* NM Hearing Aid Dispenser Lic or Temp w/permanent w/in 18 mos

Physical Conditions:
Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Working conditions:
Essential:
* Med Haz: Mod exposure to chemicals/dangerous equip/materials
* May perform subordinate tasks in high census/vol
* May be required or is required to perform on-call duties
* May work rotating shifts, holidays and weekends