BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology) 5 th in UK for graduate employability (2012 Sunday Times University Guide)

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1 BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology) 5 th in UK for graduate employability (2012 Sunday Times University Guide)

2 Today s Aims Programme background Career opportunities Programme content Entry requirements Programme contacts

3 Working in Audiology Audiologists are health care professionals who are responsible for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing, balance and associated disorders in patients of all ages Many audiologists work in multidisciplinary teams, frequently liaising with medical, education, and research professionals A desire to work with and help people is essential and is an important component of the programme

4 Modernising Scientific Careers The BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) programme is part of the Modernising Scientific Careers suite of qualifications and fits within the Neurosensory Sciences strand (audiology, neurophysiology, ophthalmic & vision sciences) Students will become competent in many areas of routine audiological practice and be able to register and work in the NHS and independent sector on graduation

5 MSC at Aston University 1. Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) 3 year full-time Bachelor s degree in Healthcare Science, with integrated academic and workplace based learning BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology) 2. Scientist Training Programme (STP) 3 year part time masters degree, with trainees in the workplace developing clinical competencies MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory Sciences) First year covering 3 inter-related disciplines: audiology, neurophysiology & vision science Specialism in audiology in years 2 & 3

6 NHS Careers Escalator Assistant/Associate Audiologist Student Audiologist Career Framework 2,3,4 Specialist Audiologist Career Framework 6 Registered Audiologist Career Framework 5 Entry point Consultant Audiologist Career Framework 9 Advanced Audiologist Career Framework 7,8

7 Audiologists in the NHS As a newly qualified audiologist you would be employed at career framework level 5 on the Skills Escalator In your first post you will be building on the knowledge you have gained during your BSc, mainly working with adults However, the curriculum covers the specialist populations that we work with in audiology: children, patients with tinnitus & balance problems, etc Although you may not have competencies in these areas, you are able to move into them in practice and so move up the Skills Escalator levels Top level is career framework 9 (Clinical Director of Services)

8 Related Careers Hearing Aid Dispenser working in the commercial sector Industrial Audiologist routine screening of people in the workplace Researcher undertaking masters and doctoral study Lecturer at University teaching and continuing with research Commercial/manufacturing companies you could become an audiologist for a company, advising on audiological matters You could get involved with technical support or be employed as a company rep promoting & selling products Working for a Charity Action on Hearing Loss, National Deaf Children s Society etc

9 Employment Opportunities The majority of graduates enter the NHS However we have had graduates enter many related fields We now have graduates who are developing their careers and moving up the skills escalator into more specialised roles Employers report that our graduates are of a high quality and able to work in a range of environments

10 First Year Programme Content 1. Healthcare sciences e.g. Anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, immunology 2. Neurosensory sciences e.g. Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the brain, vision and hearing systems 3. Measurement in healthcare science providing a background of the concept of instrumentation with an appreciation of the underpinning physical and mathematical principles 4. Clinical practice where you will participate in activities in our purpose built skills lab to help you develop your professional skills and visits to clinical services to help you learn how clinicians and patients interact

11 Second Year Programme Content 1. Measurement and instrumentation in neurosensory sciences providing you with underpinning physics and maths 2. Auditory sciences which explore the science underpinning the discipline of audiology 3. Auditory assessment and management of adults with hearing loss 4. Research methods to introduce you to the skills you will need for your third year dissertation 5. Clinical practice where you will learn how to assess hearing and how to help patients manage hearing loss both in the skills lab and in clinical practice

12 Third Year Programme Content 1. Audiological science introducing you to the science underpinning more specialist areas in audiology 2. Specialised areas of audiology e.g. the assessment of children and balance disorders 3. Project in which you explore an area of audiology in depth in your dissertation and learn how to relate research to developing good clinical practice 4. Clinical practice where you will spend more time in practice with patients developing your assessment and management skills You will also have skills lab opportunities to learn how to assess hearing loss in children and balance problems in adults

13 Typical Entry Requirements A Levels: Three A Levels including a science subject with a typical minimum offer of ABB/BBB at A level or 320 tariff points GCSE: English Language & Mathematics grade B Students are also required to pass health and CRB checks

14 Contacts for Queries Amanda Casey (Director of Audiology Programmes) Wahid Zaman (Admissions Officer) Emma Wilson (Director of Practice Learning)

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