Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Audiology Assistant position is responsible for providing highly competent knowledge in hearing management and care. Independently manages patient needs related to basic hearing aid care; responsible for hearing aid supplies; and maintains incoming and outgoing hearing aid inventory. Performs routine tasks and duties so that the audiologists are available for more complex diagnostic, management, and treatment of patients. Helps to improve access to patient care by increasing the availability of audiology services.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the point of contact for patients who need instruction on the fitting of custom earplugs.

• Provides assistance to patients who make hearing health care calls to the audiologist clinic. Also schedules patient appointments for the hearing clinic.

• Promotes a positive work environment with the inter-professional care team. Establishes and ensures positive relationships with insurance companies.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides care to patients visiting the clinic under the direct supervision of an audiologist or clinic leadership procedures.

• Evaluates and fulfills requests for review of all hearing aids left with the clinic.

• Documents, in patient's electronic medical record, care administered, all diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures, and recommended actions to be taken

• Follows up with patient as appropriate to ensure compliance with recommendations provided.

• Maintains and supports audiologist communication and correspondence with insurance companies and third-party payers related to hearing and benefits, obtaining authorizations for services, and follow-up issues.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares consult rooms for audiologist examination of patients. Assists with maintaining equipment and supplies. Prepares all hearing components, repairs, and molds for programming evaluation by the audiologists.

• Processes all paperwork related to the repairs identified by the audiologist and those identified in routine clinic checks.

• Ensures all hearing aid processing is completed within an established standard turnaround time of one day.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains detailed knowledge of service and professional costs related to products and repairs.

• Responsible for stocking consult rooms and taking inventory of hearing aid supplies.

• Experience establishing relationships with insurance companies.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and increases technical knowledge through participation in required training programs.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years experience as an Audiology Assistant in a medical facility or providing medical devices.

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• COHC - Cert Occ Hearing Convers (CAOHC) -- Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences or Disorders may be considered in lieu of CAOHC certification within 6 months AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge of medical software/EHR/EMR systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Able to manage multiple tasks with many interruptions.

• Competent with NOAH audiology and hearing aid software.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients. As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow. This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care. Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.