Audiology Assistant

JOB SUMMARY 

Under the general direction of the Director of Audiology and under direct supervision of the Ambulatory Practice Manager of Audiology, and guided by the policies and procedures of Ambulatory Services, the Audiology Assistant will participate as an integral member of the patient care team. The Audiology Assistant performs tasks that are prescribed, directed, and supervised by an audiologist including, but not limited to, hearing aid trouble shooting and repair, assisting the audiologist in pediatric testing, and equipment maintenance.  The Audiology Assistant will perform other clerical duties, such as chart record keeping, referral management, provider support request, and other administrative support functions as delegated by the Practice Leadership. The Audiology Assistant will receive full training in all the above aspects and will be registered with the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board as an audiologic aide. 

This applies to both adult and pediatric audiology assistant functions in the clinical settings at all UCSF Health sites (Mt. Zion, Mission Bay, Parnassus, joint UCSF health partnerships, Satellite Clinics, or with UCSF Faculty at other off-site clinic sites, et al). 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

Supervises no staff. 

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

% of time 

Essential 

Function 

(Yes/No) 

  Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) 

60% 

Yes 

The Audiology Assistant will assume the following primary responsibilities: 

1. Assist patients and staff with hearing aid troubleshooting

2. The position serves as the primary adult and pediatric test assistant by assisting with the conditioning and observation of the adult/ child while testing is been conducted

1. Triage hearing aid aids and related product problems

2. Maintain hearing aid laboratory supplies and fitting rooms

3. Instruct patients and prepare the necessary paperwork regarding purchase agreements, warranties, refunds and other payment issues

4. Instruct patients regarding insertion and removal of hearing aids

5. Instruct patients regarding maintenance and care of hearing aids

6. Prepare programming equipment and materials for audiologist

7. Assist audiologist with paperwork for hearing aid purchases and repairs

8. Maintain hearing aid stock and supply inventory

9. Maintain hearing aid loaner bank

10. Maintain hearing aid Workqueue

11. Maintain hearing aid Benefit Checks

20% 

YES 

Additional Responsibilities 

1. Understands the responsibilities and duties of the clerical staff and is prepared to assume duties when asked by the Director of Audiology or the Practice Manager

2. Triages telephone calls for appointments, advice, and pages providers when necessary

3. Process referrals for the clinic; seeks advice from clinic leaders as appropriate

4. Understands and is able to communicate the functions of multiple types of providers in the practice to patients and other staff

5. Demonstrates courtesy, common sense and follow-through in all telephone communications, maintaining the telephone standards as established by the Medical Center Staff

6. Responds effectively to requests that occur simultaneously

7. Provides feedback to the Director of Audiology, Supervising Audiology and Ambulatory Practice Manager on specific assignments or patient problems

8. Assumes responsibility for increasing his/her knowledge and be informed of current trends and developments within own area, the Ambulatory Care Center, and University

9. Participates in staff meetings

10. Participates in evaluating own effectiveness by obtaining feedback from health care team

11. Complies with work-related policies, including annual PPD, use of benefit time

12. Complies with all ACC and Medical Center policies and procedures for infection control, safety, administrative and clinical practice and with activities mandated by JCAHO/Title 22

13. Performs other administrative tasks as assigned

14. Adheres to the UCSF House and Telephone Standards and is sensitive to the needs of patients, staff and providers

20% 

YES  

Administrative: 

• All duties of HA III

• Proficient with using the language assistance line.

• Supply management PMM – audit and distribute supplies

• Perform monthly JRC Audits

• Ordering general supplies requested by technologist if not available in Pyxis area- providing appropriate cost center when ordering.

• Medication and Hazardous Material, handling, transport, and distribution

• Utilizing APEX to track patient status and assist in efficient patient flow.

Any other duty as assigned 

100% 

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 

15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The 

total sum should add up to 100%.)

LIVING PRIDE STANDARDS 

Service Excellence 

• Demonstrates service excellence by following the Everyday PRIDE Guide with the UCSF Medical Center standards and expectations for communication and behavior.  These standards and expectations convey specific behavior associated with the Medical Center’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence, and provide guidance on how we communicate with patients, visitors, faculty, staff, and students, virtually everyone, every day and with every encounter. These standards include, but are not limited to: personal appearance, acknowledging and greeting all patients and families, introductions using AIDET, managing up, service recovery, managing delays and expectations, phone standards, electronic communication, team work, cultural sensitivity and competency.

• Uses effective communication skills with patients and staff; demonstrates proper telephone techniques and etiquette; acts as an escort to any patient or family member needing directions; shows sensitivity to differences of culture; demonstrates a positive and supportive manner in which patients / families/ colleagues perceive interactions as positive and supportive. Exhibits teamwork skills to positively acknowledge and recognize other colleagues and uses personal experiences to model and teach Living PRIDE standards.

• Exhibits tact and professionalism in difficult situations according to PRIDE Values and Practices

• Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to privacy, confidentiality, and security policies and procedures related to Protected Health Information (PHI) or other sensitive and personal information.

• Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to safety and infection control policies and procedures.

• Assumes accountability for improving quality metrics associated with department/unit and meeting organizational/departmental targets.

Work Environment 

• Keeps working areas neat, orderly and clutter-free, including the hallways. Adheres to cleaning processes and puts things back where they belong. Removes and reports broken equipment and furniture.

• Picks up and disposes of any litter found throughout entire facility.

• Posts flyers and posters in designated areas only; does not post on walls, doors or windows.

• Knows where the Environment of Care Manual is kept in department; corrects or reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate departments.

• Protects the physical environment and equipment from damage and theft.

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

• Assist in other departments when necessary. 

• Practicing and maintaining State and other regulatory body (e.g. JCAHO) policies 

• Demonstrates accountability and responsibility for department expectations and standards. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• High School graduate or equivalent with 2 years related experience; or college degree and 6 months related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience with science or counseling background 

• Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position 

• Ability to work with computers; some experience using spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel, Access and word processing programs such as Microsoft Word 

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills 

• Ability to be pleasant with a clear speaking voice that is understandable and audible to general hearing impaired public 

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and diverse socioeconomic situations. 

• Must be become registered with the California Speech Pathology and Audiology Board as an audiologic aide upon hiring. 

• American Heart Association BLS – CPR Certified 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION 

• Bilingual or multilingual capability (Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin or Vietnamese) 

• Prior experience in a medical office environment

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS 

• Registration with the California Speech Pathology and Audiology Board as an audiologic aide upon hiring 

• American Heart Association BLS – CPR Certified 

POPULATIONS SERVED 

Employees who routinely provide direct patient care require a statement concerning Populations Served Competencies. Typically, a statement such as “Demonstrated ability to provide appropriate care based on the needs of a specific individual, including the patient’s age.” is sufficient. Select from the following patient age categories. 

           Infant              

           Child                

           Adolescent      

           Adult              

           Geriatric