DEPARTMENT: Children and Family Services
REPORTS TO: IHP and HCD-ISCIS Supervisor
Employment Type: On-call
Pay Scale: $26.306/hr to $30.948/hr
Job Summary
The Infant Hearing Program of Eastern-Ontario provides universal hearing screening to newborns and infants to help identify those who may have been born Deaf, hard of hearing or at risk of developing hearing loss in early childhood. The Infant Hearing Screener will plan and implement community-based screening services and support client monitoring and follow-up. This position would serve families at various locations throughout the City of Ottawa, with a focus on clinics located in the Central to East ends of the City.
Job Specific Responsibilities
- Works with the Team Lead for Specialized Preschool Programs to provide community-based hearing screening.
- Conducts newborn hearing screening using Automated Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (ADPOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR)
- Adheres to protocols and maintains hearing screening performance standards set by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).
- Follows pre-determined scripts with respect to the following: explanation of types of screenings, obtaining and recording of explicit and informed consent, informing parents of privacy rights and the collection/use of their personal health information, explaining screening outcomes/results and follow-up.
- Establishes good rapport with families and answers parents’ questions and concerns in a clear, patient, and professional manner and ensures thorough understanding on the part of the parent/legal guardian.
- Communicates sensitive information to families. Provides information to parents regarding results of screening and further steps as recommended.
- Recognizes professional boundaries and scope of practice, routing families to appropriate resources, as necessary.
- Ensures accuracy in form completion, and the updating of electronic records and referrals as part of IHP’s collaboration with Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO).
- Organizes and manages treatment space and inventory of screening materials.
- Works closely with community site staff to support clinic scheduling and room booking needs.
- Participates in the Infant Hearing Program (IHP) Continued Quality Improvement (CQI) initiative, supporting the evaluation of IHP.
- Participates in team meetings, mentors new staff, precepts students and updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
- Performs administrative support to the Infant Hearing Program team and other duties, as assigned, in accordance with professional standards and guidelines.
- Communicative Disorders Assistant certificate or post-graduate program with emphasis on hearing health (e.g. Hearing aid technician) is preferred. Post-secondary degree or diploma with emphasis in health, early childhood or human service curricula will be considered.
- Three to five years’ experience working with newborns and infants is an asset.
- Aptitude for learning, understanding and following infant hearing screening protocol and operating of hearing testing equipment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, sensitivity to people of different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Experience dealing with the public in a mature, helpful and patient manner.
- Ability to handle challenging situations with a professional, positive and calm demeanor.
- Strong organizational, time management skills and attention to detail.
- Experience with Caredove or other referral management systems is an asset
- Ability to perform physically and mentally repetitive tasks (standing for long periods of time) essential.
- Adaptability and resilience to ongoing changes (stress tolerance) essential.
- Ability to analyze and problem solve.
- Ability to work independently (essential)
- Bilingual (English/French) essential
- Access to vehicle essential. Travel will be required and short notice shifting of work locations may be asked.