Senior Assistant Technical Officer (SATO), Band 3
- NHS
- Full Time
- Gloucester
- 25760.00 - 27476.00 a year
Job Description
Job summary
This an exciting opportunity to join an energetic, progressive team, the role provides essential clinical and administrative support to the audiology service. Clinical duties include but are not limited to basic hearing-aid repairs and maintenance, otoscopy, telephone reviews for hearing-aid users, patient advice on device care, and assisting with the clinical assessment of pre-school and school-age children. Administrative responsibilities include coordinating equipment repairs with Medical Engineering, suppliers and IT; preparing clinic equipment and lists; managing earmould processing and patient notifications; overseeing stock control and ordering; managing the Hearing Services ATO mailbox; processing invoices; and supporting the smooth running of the Audiology PMS, TrakCare and patient booking systems.
The post-holder will also contribute to departmental audit, quality-improvement work and research activity, and is expected to work autonomously within defined protocols while maintaining a strong commitment to patient-centred care.
Additional contract details: With a view to extend based on demand and service review
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will contribute to the delivery of high-quality Audiology services by providing frontline clinical support; including basic hearing-aid repairs, otoscopy, telephone reviews, patient advice and assistance with paediatric assessments while ensuring accurate documentation and appropriate signposting. They will help maintain smooth operational running of the service through clinic preparation, earmould processing, stock management, ordering, mailbox oversight, invoice processing and supporting the upkeep of key clinical systems. The role includes supervising ATOs and staff undertaking related tasks, participating in audit, quality-improvement and research activity, and engaging in ongoing training and professional development. Effective communication and collaborative working are essential, with regular interaction across Audiology, ENT, internal hospital services, external suppliers, GP practices and community organisations to support safe, efficient and patient-centred care.
About us
Hearing Services offers a welcoming, open and supportive working environment where staff are valued and encouraged to grow. Teams work collaboratively across services, creating a culture of kindness, shared learning and strong professional relationships. The Trust is based in one of the most desirable areas of the UK, with Gloucestershire's blend of historic cathedral cities, vibrant cultural life and the stunning Cotswolds countryside providing an exceptional quality of life. With excellent transport links to Bristol, Birmingham and London, it is an ideal place to build both a rewarding career and an enjoyable lifestyle.
Job responsibilities
Provision of Clinical Services/Clinical Responsibilities
The postholder will support the delivery of frontline Audiology care by undertaking basic hearingaid repairs and maintenance, performing otoscopy to identify wax or potential infection, and providing telephone reviews for hearingaid users with onward referral to Audiologists or Hearing Therapists when required. They will offer patient advice on the safe use and care of hearing aids, ensure accurate documentation in the departmental database (Audi-Base), and signpost service users to appropriate internal or external resources. The role also includes assisting with the assessment of preschool and schoolage children and will work as part of the wider clinical audiology team.
Professional Development, Education and Training
The postholder will receive ongoing training, supervision and clinical support to develop and maintain the competencies required for the role. Continued professional development will be encouraged, with opportunities to build skills, enhance confidence and progress within the Audiology service.
Management and Leadership
The postholder will support the effective running of Hearing Services through a range of operational duties, including preparing daily clinic lists, equipment and appliances for internal and peripheral clinics, coordinating the processing and return of earmoulds, and managing stock levels in liaison with the Head of Service. They will be responsible for ordering supplies using approved systems, managing the Hearing Services ATO mailbox, processing invoices, and assisting with the maintenance of the Audiology (Auditbase) patient management system and Trust (TrakCare) systems to ensure smooth clinic operations. The role also includes supervising Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs) and other staff undertaking ATOrelated tasks, contributing to the efficient and safe delivery of the service.
Research and Development
The postholder will also contribute to departmental audit, qualityimprovement work and research activity. They will work in partnership with both the clinical and administrative teams on specific tasks.
Communications and Working Relationships
The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the Audiology department and maintain effective communication with ENT clinicians, nurses, receptionists and medical secretaries. The role requires regular liaison with a wide range of internal services including Procurement, Gloucestershire Managed Services, Finance, Porters, Ward Staff, Medical Engineering, Estates and IT, as well as engagement with parents, infants and children during clinical activity. Externally, the postholder will interact with earmould manufacturers, equipment providers, county battery services, environmental equipment suppliers, GP practices, surgery staff, and the Gloucestershire Deaf Association, as well as other Audiology departments. Strong, professional communication is essential to ensure smooth operational delivery and highquality patient care.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Educated to GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy.
- Demonstrate knowledge / Training of Trust IT systems to support service administration and patient data management.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Able to work as part of a team
- Acts as a role model and can lead by example to ensure the Trust's values and behaviours are reinforced throughout their area of practice
- Excellent telephone manner.
- Reliable, adaptable and dependable.
- Customer focused
- Creative and flexible
- Reliable, adaptable and dependable.
Desirable
- Demonstrate qualifications in IT systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Completion of: British Association of Audiologists certified Assistant Technical Officer course.
- Knowledge of Trust booking systems (TrakCare).
- Knowledge of Departmental booking systems (Auditbase).
- Experience in customer service.
- Experience in working with hearing impaired individuals
- Experience in working with hearing aids
- Enthusiastic
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Gloucester
GL1 3NN
United Kingdom
