Our mission is to reduce the incidence of middle ear disease in Indigenous and at-risk children in Western Australia below the World Health Organisation benchmark of 4%. We will achieve this via our established Outreach programs, which demonstrate excellence in Aboriginal health.

Our Vision is that current and future generations of Indigenous (Aboriginal) children can succeed at school unhindered by the debilitating effects of Otitis media and its impacts upon their ability to learn and achieve to their full potential.

POSITION

The Ear Health Screener, on behalf of Earbus Foundation of WA (The Foundation), travels as required to Metro locations to provide ear and hearing screening services to children in constant team of an Audiologist and Nurse Practitioner. Also screening in private hospitals (in the metropolitan and Bunbury areas) and provides neonatal hearing screening services to neonates/infants at each site. Screeners are responsible for the co-ordination of each visit, including liaising with each individual hospital. Screeners are also responsible for testing, data collation and reporting at the completion of each visit.

As the program is designed to assist in the early identification and treatment of infants with middle ear and hearing problems, screeners must be accurate with their testing and ensure that infants are referred for appropriate assessment to the Audiologists at The Foundation where necessary. Responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with The Foundation’s core values, policies, and procedures.

Earbus Foundation will provide all training for the Ear Health Screening and Newborn Hearing Screening positions, we highly encourage people with no experience to also apply.

Reporting Relationship: Director, Clinical Services & Outcomes.

Newborn Screening Description:

• Deliver the neonatal hearing screening service in the designated hospital(s), or at the other locations, on behalf of The Foundation
• Liaise with the Program Manager (Newborn Hearing Screening) and hospital staff to co-ordinate hospital visits
• Distribute, collect and collate patient consent forms
• Screen children for middle ear and hearing problems using the AABR · Consider and record risk factors for each infant
• Collate and record screening data for each infant and at end of day
• Manage patient records, patient filing system and patient data with due respect for patient privacy and confidentiality requirements
• Assist hospital staff in aspects of ward and hospital management affected by newborn hearing screening
• Follow the Foundation’s management procedures for each child and refer to The Foundation as required
• Communicate results to parents and other involved parties
• Manage and maintain all equipment to ensure it remains in good working order including safe storage
• Maintain supplies of consumables and documentation relating to the newborn hearing screening process

Ear health Screening Description:

• Performing otoscopy and tympanometry assessments on a variety of different aged children
• Completing medical paperwork with every assessment
• Delivering a culturally safe program in Primary Schools, Playgroups and High schools
• Identification of Ear disease (Otitis Media)
• Refer children for appropriate care when clinicians are in attendance
• Education and follow-up of families and communities of ear health, medications, and appointments
• Assisting Audiology, GP, and ENT services if needed
• Clinical follow up of children within the Metro program
• Providing a complete medical pathway to Aboriginal children and their families suffering the effects of Otitis medica and middle ear disease, in reginal and remote WA.
• Maintaining accurate record to ensure no child slips through the pathway and is delayed access to the care they need.
• Coordinate team members tasks at each site to ensure seamless flow of service
• Encouraging provision of Medicare numbers with schools and families to facilitate Medicate claiming
• Assistance in the audiometric needs of screening clinics and ENT clinics as required
• Monitor Calibration dates, cleaning and maintenance and fault finding for field equipment.
• Report any feedback of program to the Program Coordinator
• Liaise with community, schools, and families.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Appreciation of, and respect for, the Foundation’s culture, core values and ethos.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills appropriate to establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with hospital staff, parents of newborn children, The Foundation’s supervisory staff members and the wider community.
• Ability to work with limited direct supervision
• Satisfactory level of computer literacy (for emailing timesheets, data entry following screening, sending and receiving email correspondence).
• National Police Clearance (less than six months old) Current Working with Children Card
• Current driver’s licence
• Motor Vehicle Registration papers- for all vehicles that may be used traveling to, or from, work
• Motor Vehicle Insurance

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with infants
• An understanding of hearing loss and/or middle ear pathologies
• Previous teaching, nursing or childcare background
• Understanding of working with Indigenous people and Indigenous culture

COMPETENCIES

In carrying out the duties of this position, you will need to demonstrate the following competencies:

Technical

• Test equipment - Use equipment effectively to ensure timely and accurate hearing screening results
• Information technology - Use personal computer resources to communicate with the Foundation’s staff. Use of the Foundation’s computer resources to upload screening results and record screening results.

Client Service

• Infant service - Work with infants and parents to ascertain reliable screening results. Be prepared to locate and return to any infants who require further testing on the same or subsequent days.
• Timeliness - Ensure babies are seen and followed-up in a timely manner
• Quality, Confidence, Personal Service - Produce statistical data of a high standard and quality. Work with confidence with infants, parents and other professionals. Provide personable and excellent quality service; build positive relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Child Screening Services – Work with children in partnerships with schools and communities to provide ear treatments and hearing assessments in a team.
• Ensure every child in the program is receiving the full service and treatment we offer in our programs.
• There is constancy in our work and services we are offering.

Personal Effectiveness And Management

• Policy and Procedures - Apply and comply with the core values policies and procedures-of The Foundation. Data management - Ensure that all data is collated and entered in a timely manner.
• Timeliness - Ensure predetermined deadlines are met; advise of unexpected delays as soon as they become apparent.
• Innovation -Contribute innovative ideas that enhance work practices; be receptive to new ideas and participate in the implementation of change
• Professional development - Attend mandatory training and meetings when required

Interpersonal Skills

• Teamwork - Work in a team and be willing to assist team members when needed. Develop collaborative relationships with Newborn Hearing Screeners, all staff at The Foundation and hospital staff to facilitate the achievement of common goals. Work in a positive and constructive way with the Program Manager for Newborn Hearing Screening.
• Communication - Express ideas clearly; actively listen and use an appropriate balance between talking and listening; be responsive and open to advice given.
• Professionalism - Respond enthusiastically to tasks allocated; show professionalism in personal appearance, presentation of work in a friendly working environment; be honest, responsible and show respect and consideration for others.
• Empowerment - Respond to being empowered by using initiative and know when to seek assistance; actively seek task ownership.
• Feedback - Provide constructive feedback on a timely basis; acknowledge feedback and act upon it as appropriate.
• Meetings - Participate effectively in all team meetings. Complete assigned tasks to meet set deadlines.
• Skill development - Attend internal and external training seminars to develop personal and professional skills. Willingness and capacity to learn on the job.

COMPENSATION

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a fast-growing, highly respected organisation. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality with a respected track record. EFWA is prepared to offer a competitive base salary as well as salary sacrifice benefits, depending upon skills and experience.

EARBUS VALUES

Earbus Foundation's values are at the core of everything we do. Successful applicants will:

• Be open and honest in communication and intent
• Be loyal and supportive to Earbus, their colleagues and the communities they serve
• Be brilliant in their role

Our internal motto is 'Say it, mean it, do it'. If these values describe you then you will have found a home at Earbus.

You’ll be provided opportunities to learn and evolve as part of a growing and innovative organisation. You will be given the chance to do work that makes a genuine difference in communities.

Call for a confidential discussion on 08 9328 4574.

We encourage Aboriginal people to apply for this role. If you are an Aboriginal person looking to further your career give us a call to have a yarn. We aim to create a work environment that is sensitive to cultural difference and to develop talent among Aboriginal people.