Educational Audiologist

Job Description

Job Description

Educational Audiologist Role
Educational Audiologists deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing problems. Educational audiologists are members of the school multidisciplinary team who facilitate listening, learning and communication access via specialized assessments;monitor personal hearing instruments; recommend, fit and manage hearing assistive technology; provide and recommend support services and resources; and advocate on behalf of the students. Educational audiologists provide evidence for needed services and technology, emphasize access skills and supports, counsel children to promote personal responsibility and self-advocacy, maintain student performance levels, collaborate with private sector audiologists, help student transitions and team with other school professions to work most effectively to facilitate learning

Duties and Responsibilities

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Planning and Preparation

• Maintain audiology diagnostic equipment and test materials. Ensure for annual calibration of diagnostic equipment and school screening audiometers.
• Assess the need for new equipment, supplies, and maintenance.
• Manage and maintain hearing assistive technology used by students in the classroom. Assess the need for new equipment.
• Audiology schedules are managed appropriately and in a timely manner, including diagnostic evaluations, hearing technology verification, school visits, school hearing screenings, and Early Intervention screenings and evaluations.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of services provided. Maintain confidentiality.

Administration/Management

• Development of procedures and forms.
• Development and expansion of programs that support hearing access and facilitate listening, communication, and learning.
• Maintenance and management of hearing technology equipment. Maintain an accurate equipment inventory with the student's name and district.
• Complete assessment reports, documentation of services, follow up and appropriate correspondence.
• Accurate documentation and billing of contract time provided to districts.
• School hearing screening support: pre-k screenings, Child Find, rechecks for failed screenings, and options for children that cannot be screened by traditional methods at school. Contact parents with information of failed screening results and need for medical management and/or follow up hearing testing.
• Early intervention services-screenings, testing, parent counseling, documentation, reports and billing.

Intervention

• Provide audiological evaluations including hearing technology performance verification. Generate precise and informative reports with appropriate recommendations and follow up.
• Counsel parents. Provide resources for additional services, if needed.
• Correspond with the student's educational team, physicians, and other agencies involved in the student's hearing management and care.
• Provide appropriate hearing technology recommendations.
• Counsel parents, school team, and other related individuals in the care and use of hearing devices. Counsel about the importance of consistent use of hearing devices .
• Monitor and check hearing devices for proper function and use. Verify appropriate settings and function.
• Ear mold impressions and ordering of new earmolds when needed.
• Assist families with hearing aid repairs and loaner hearing aids.
• Participate in student meetings as needed.
• Early Intervention support and services: monitoring, screenings, and evaluations. Reports generated in a timely manner. Accurate and timely billing. Maintain appropriate records.

Consultation

• Provide information and interpretation of audiological evaluations and recommendations. Information should relate to the child's overall development, communication, and learning.
• Review referrals. Consult with parents and team regarding concerns.
• Provide support and resources to parents seeking hearing aids or additional hearing services for their children.
• Assess classroom environments for noise abatement, hearing access, and/or listening strategies, as needed.

Education and Licensure
Minimum of a Master's degree in Audiology
Hold an Illinois license in Audiology.
Professional Responsibilities/Development

Maintain certification and licensure as required by the State of Illinois
Maintain professional certification (e.g. AAA, ASHA, and EAA), including continued education, conferences, and training. Up to date on current literature.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills regarding time management and confidential files and records.
Ability to work independently.

Knowledge

Knowledge of hearing aid programming and verification.
Knowledge of cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA).
Understanding of Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD).
Familiarity with HAT systems and testing.