Hearing Care Assistant

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The Department of Otolaryngology - Audiology at the University of Miami is actively seeking a full-time Audiology Support Specialist to join our team in Miami, FL. This entry-level position is designed for individuals who will obtain their licensure shortly after commencing their duties. The Audiology Support Specialist plays a crucial role in enhancing patient access to care by expanding the availability of audiology services, improving productivity by minimizing wait times, and boosting patient satisfaction. Additionally, this role helps in reducing operational costs by undertaking tasks that do not necessitate the expertise of a certified or licensed audiologist. This position provides support to audiologists in their assessments and rehabilitation efforts for both adult and pediatric patients, collaborating effectively with fellow audiology assistants to ensure the highest quality patient experience. The position reports directly to the Audiology Practice Manager.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist audiologists in conducting audiological assessments and evaluations, ensuring the proper fitting of hearing devices and related technologies.
• Facilitate the delivery of services as appropriate.
• Prepare examination rooms for patient evaluations.
• Maintain cleanliness and sterilization of instruments while adhering to sterile techniques.
• Support examinations by preparing necessary supplies and providing instruments and materials to the audiologist as directed.
• Keep accurate and comprehensive patient records and documentation.
• Provide patients with fundamental instructions and information regarding examination procedures.
• Organize and stock audiology rooms with essential supplies on a daily basis.
• Dispose of expired supplies appropriately.
• Sanitize patient rooms between appointments.
• Conduct weekly checks on the organization and cleanliness of the audiology clinic, ensuring hand sanitizer dispensers are filled and reporting any cleaning needs.
• Assist with clerical tasks such as answering phone calls and maintaining administrative records.
• Comply with University and departmental policies and procedures while safeguarding University assets.
• Utilize IDX RIS/PACS to monitor patient arrival times and inform front desk personnel of any delays to maintain the daily schedule.
• Greet patients upon arrival, verify their information, and direct them to the appropriate clinic or audiology room, ensuring they are prepared for their appointment.
• Document any equipment issues and report them to the relevant management staff.
• Assist in copying completed patient paperwork, delivering originals to the front desk for scanning, and distributing copies to the appropriate reading rooms.
• Help in the distribution of patient label stickers within the Audiology department.
• Conduct daily biological checks of audiological equipment and report any issues to the equipment manufacturer and Practice Manager.
• Report unusual incidents promptly to the appropriate supervisory personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Certification and Licensing:

Audiology Assistant Certification must be completed within the first three months of employment.

Experience:

Experience in a medical environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Ability to complete assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Capacity to analyze, organize, and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Commitment to the core values of the University.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong multitasking abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Experience working with children.
• Ability to engage with patients who have one or more medical conditions.

Department Specific Functions

• Monitor audiology provider schedules and patient arrivals, notifying providers of arrivals and ready patients in a timely manner.
• Support the testing of pediatric patients when necessary, which may involve direct interaction with children.
• Assist with the transition from the waiting area to the audiology division.
• Record case history information for all audiology appointments once certification is obtained.
• Make decisions regarding clinic flow that prioritize reduced wait times and optimal patient care.
• Assist audiologists during all clinical visits, including ABR, VNG/ENG, hearing aid evaluations, pediatric and booth testing, and otoacoustic emissions testing as required.
• Participate with the audiology licensee in research projects, in-service training, public relations programs, or similar activities as directed.
• Assist in implementing management or treatment plans developed by the supervising audiology licensee.
• Test hearing aids to ensure they meet appropriate specifications and performance standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of various hearing devices, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone conduction devices.
• Show proficiency in the care and use of hearing aid controls, battery insertion, and fitting hearing aids or ear molds.
• Test equipment to verify compliance with published specifications.
• Screen hearing using established criteria on a pass/fail basis, including newborn hearing screenings.
• Conduct regular inventory checks as directed by the Practice Manager.
• Prepare and stock patient rooms as instructed by the Practice Manager every morning and evening, which may include powering equipment on/off and restarting computers.
• Check for cerumen impaction or infection to determine if a patient requires a visit to the ENT department for removal.
• Assess availability for an audiologist to take on additional patients, utilizing the clinical patient schedule for the day, and coordinate with an audiologist if needed.
• Maintain equipment status records as directed by the Practice Manager.
• Assist in pediatric appointments as necessary.
• Log required items in the monthly ordering sheet by the due date as distributed by the Practice Manager.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, tuition remission, and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by groundbreaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent over 100 specialties and sub-specialties, with more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research, and patient care.

Patient safety is a top priority. Therefore, during the Influenza season, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine requires all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care areas to receive an annual influenza vaccination. Failure to comply will result in rescinding or termination of employment.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time

Employee Type: Staff

Pay Grade: H4