Jobs advertised Scientist vs Audiologist HPC registration

[mancie]

As a BSC Audiology graduate I am rather disappointed to see that there are still many NHS Audiology jobs advertised that state "Clinical Scientist" HPC registered. We were assured that such an advert would not be allowed with the creation of the BSC Audiology (soon to be replaced with something similar but a different name) course. As equivalent training routes would be in place (they almost are but getting on the courses is tricky).

It is rather disappointing to see that the Scientist vs. Audiologist divide is apparently as strong as ever. Scientists paid a great deal more from day one during training and often more than comparable audiologists with similar jobs (paediatrics etc). Very odd situation. I wonder if it will persist pass the changeover to the BSC courses when they start.

Will the current HPC training routes stop (eg MSC+CAC?) What is happening with HPC registration for current RCCP registered Audiologists? I haven't heard anything concrete in a while.

[Guy]

Hi Mancie,

If you were told that Clinical Scientists (Audiological Scientists) would be replaced by BSc Audiologists then you were sold a dummy; that was never envisaged and you ought to take it up with whoever misinformed you.
Even when BSc Audiologists are taken under the umbrella of HPC they will be different in grade, status and job description to Clinical Scientists, who have a 7-year training requirement which will continue by the way, with the CAC component being replaced by the HTC.
You should be able to get more information on all this from the BAA web site.

[mancie]

Originally Posted by Guy

Hi Mancie,

If you were told that Clinical Scientists (Audiological Scientists) would be replaced by BSc Audiologists then you were sold a dummy; that was never envisaged and you ought to take it up with whoever misinformed you.
Even when BSc Audiologists are taken under the umbrella of HPC they will be different in grade, status and job description to Clinical Scientists, who have a 7-year training requirement which will continue by the way, with the CAC component being replaced by the HTC.
You should be able to get more information on all this from the BAA web site.

Thanks Guy. I will check the latest information on the BAA website. I haven't looked there for a while.

[EAM]

I too don't understand the role of Clinical Scientists in Audiology. They do exactly the same jobs as other audiologists but get paid more and have a different title. some say clinical scientist carry out specialist tasks like balance testing but even "ordinary" audiologists can perform these tasks but with more training. same applies to the CAC, is it useful if looked at from a realistic and practical viewpoint. treating the patient is paramount and not title.

[PRH]

Hopefully the HTS will help equip people regardless of their job title with specialist knowledge and practical skills in specific areas, eg paediatrics, or tinnitus. See the HTS area of the BAA website for details.

Interestingly, as mentioned in the BAA magazine recently there are now more than 70 people registered on more than 100 modules. While many people who have signed up for modules are people who may have previously been CAC candidates (i.e those with an MSc) , 25 % of registrants have trained via the BAAT route, and about 50 % have a BSc or PG Dip in Audiology. This shows that the HTS is meeting one of its key aims: that everyone who is a band 5 + audiologist, regardless of their training route can access training to become specialised in key areas of audiology.

until we have a unified registration body I suspect that whether we like it or not, there will be some distinction between clinical scientists and audiologists.