Audiologist

Audiologists specialise in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear.

The Department of Health is the Competent Authority for the validation of qualifications in audiology for the purpose of employment in the publicly funded health sector (HSE or HSE funded service).

Eligibility

The minimum approved academic qualifications necessary for appointment as an audiologist in the publicly funded health sector are:
(i) B.Sc (Hons) in Audiology from a recognised university; or
(ii) the British Association of Audiologists Examinations Parts 1 & 2 (or its predecessor); or
(iii) Post Graduate Diploma in Audiology from a recognised university; or
(iv) MSc in Audiology from a recognised university.

Application Process

There is no formal application form. Applicants should submit:
1. a covering letter of application;
2. a letter (on official headed paper) from the prospective employer indicating that he/she is satisfied that your audiology qualifications meet the standards required for the position on offer;
3. a job offer from the prospective employer (on official headed paper);
4. a copy of your qualifications (translated where necessary);
5. where appropriate - documentation to indicate that your qualification entitles you to practise as an audiologist in the country where you qualified;
6. Citizenship: photographic proof of identity – passport;
documentary evidence of your citizenship (if different to passport) - birth certificate;
a marriage certificate, if applicable, where there is a change of surname.

All documentation must be witnessed as true copies of the originals and certified translations of the originals must be provided where necessary.

Temporary Registration

When a service provider proposes to move from another Member State to Ireland in order to provide services, he must, in advance, inform the competent authority in Ireland in writing using the standard declaration form. The declaration form may be submitted to the relevant competent authority by any means and must be accompanied by the following documents:

a) proof of the nationality of the service provider;
b) an attestation the competent authority in the member state of establishment certifying that the holder is legally established in that Member State for the purpose of pursuing the activities concerned and that he is not prohibited from practising, even temporarily, at the moment of delivering the attestation;
c) evidence of professional qualifications;
d) when the profession is not regulated in the Member State of establishment, any means of proof that the service provider has pursued the activity concerned for at least two years during the previous ten years;
and
e) details of any insurance cover or other means of personal or collective protection with regard to professional liability.

The service provider must await communication from the Irish competent authority but should be able to provide the service within one month of receipt by the Irish competent authority of the declaration and accompanying documents.
Details on the temporary provision of services in Ireland are available here.

Contact Details

Department of Health - Validation Unit
Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Phone: +353 1 635 3009
Email: validation_unit@health.gov.ie  

Right of Appeal

Regulation 83 of S.I. No. 8 of 2017 states that an applicant may appeal to the High Court any decision of a competent authority or any failure of a competent authority to make a decision, in relation to the application by him/her. Such an appeal shall be brought within 42 days either of the date upon which the decision concerned is communicated to the applicant concerned, or in the case of failure to make a decision within 42 days of the expiration of the periods within which the decision or acknowledgement should have been made.

The above is for general information purposes only. All further queries regarding this information should be directed to the Department of Health, Validation Unit.