The Return to Audiology

[jimscott]

Hello folks. Advice needed. I became an Audiological Tecnician some 19 or so years ago. Having a child hood dream, I persued a different career and left Audiology some 5 years after I began it (left 14 years ago!) I didn't leave because I didn't like the job and am now in a position where I would love to re-join the field as an Audiologist. I have the MPPM BTEC, BAAT 1, and certificate in Audiology. I am currently carrying out a small amount of voluntary work in Audiology in order to 'learn digital'. My problem is that I feel my qualifications mean little any more and am struggling to see a way back in without the BSC. I can fully understand the concerns of the those with a BSC in that they feel their qualification may be de-valued soon, but am also seeing things from the other side. People such as myself with qualifications and good practical experience (albeit some time ago) are going to be left down in the band 2 or 3 posts aren't we? That's if there is room for the likes of me to start with. Can anyone throw any light on this for me? Am I still able to apply for Audiology posts with my qualifications? Thanks folks.

[David]

Jim,

I have BAAT Pt 1 and 2 and still work in audiology, the BSC has only been producing highly trained audiologists for a few years so there are still old hands around, most job discriptions want BSC or equivalant (ie BAAT) so you just have to try for jobs. The extra training does not always mean better at dealing with patient contact, it probably does mean better at research and understanding statistics though

[jimscott]

Jim,

I have BAAT Pt 1 and 2 and still work in audiology, the BSC has only been producing highly trained audiologists for a few years so there are still old hands around, most job discriptions want BSC or equivalant (ie BAAT) so you just have to try for jobs. The extra training does not always mean better at dealing with patient contact, it probably does mean better at research and understanding statistics though

Thanks for your encouragement David. I managed to get a response from BAA too. They say as long as I get a job, give proof of training and assessment, then I can register, so, a job hunting I go. By the way, I see you are based in Bielefeld in Germany. I spent the early part of my childhood there!! Anyway, I am based in the Portsmouth area, if anyone knows of any jobs out there!!

[Bugaluggz]

Thanks for your encouragement David. I managed to get a response from BAA too. They say as long as I get a job, give proof of training and assessment, then I can register, so, a job hunting I go. By the way, I see you are based in Bielefeld in Germany. I spent the early part of my childhood there!! Anyway, I am based in the Portsmouth area, if anyone knows of any jobs out there!!

There was a position for an Audiologist for Southampton City PCT (now run by a private company called InHealth) not sure if the post is still open but I do believe there may be another opening in the new year if you wouldn't mind commuting to a rival city

[David]

Thanks for your encouragement David. I managed to get a response from BAA too. They say as long as I get a job, give proof of training and assessment, then I can register, so, a job hunting I go. By the way, I see you are based in Bielefeld in Germany. I spent the early part of my childhood there!! Anyway, I am based in the Portsmouth area, if anyone knows of any jobs out there!!

Its a small world Jim,

We will not be here very much longer as the defence cuts are going to close us down in the next few years, at the moment we have three audiologists and two have been made redundant. There is lots of talk about looking after soldiers health but the actions dont equate to the retoric.

Good luck

David