The Ear irrigation & Instrumentation course is a one day course which is taught in small groups to provide an optimum learning experience.
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It is a well-established and well respected course underpinned by comprehensive protocols which are recognised and recited in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
It is taught by experienced practitioners who continue to provide this procedure on a daily basis.
This course covers a wide range of theoretical knowledge including:
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An understanding of the Anatomy and Physiology of the ear
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Common ear pathologies including, identifying red flags that necessitate specialist care
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Patient assessment
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Ear examination in accordance to otoscopy guidance
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Ethics & Principles of Ear Irrigation and Instrumentation
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Following the theoretical session, participants will engage in a practical session using practice training heads, providing the opportunity to:
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Identify, discuss and use the appropriate equipment required to carry out safe irrigation & Instrumentation.
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Gain confidence & skills whilst under supervision of one of our experienced specialist practitioners.V
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Discuss infection control measures to ensure safe practice
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For health professionals who are new to irrigation, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust believe that for legal and ethical reasons it is appropriate for participants to initially carry out the procedure on practice training heads.
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As with all clinical skills, competence can only be achieved by practice. We therefore strongly recommend all course participants seek some supervised practice from an experienced practitioner who is competent in the procedure following the course.
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If you do not have access to a mentor then we can provide one.
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All course attendees will be provided with a Clinical Competency Record Booklet. Although registered health professionals can self certify, we suggest they use and work through the booklet and keep it as a record to show due diligence. The booklet can also be counted towards your continued professional development record. (CPD)
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We have requests from NHS team leaders asking for their staff to attend Clinical Competency Mentorship as they feel it shows due diligence for practicing using a new procedure.
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Clinical Competency Mentorship is available.
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​We also provide Practical Skills Day courses for anyone who has completed the course wishing to access further guided practical training.
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Course Eligibility:
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This course is suitable for the following registered healthcare professionals:
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Registered Nurses
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Audiologist
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Doctors
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Pharmacists
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Paramedics
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Physiotherapists
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Occupational Therapists
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Other suitably qualified healthcare professionals
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A certificate of attendance will be issued to registered professionals on completion of the study day.
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We do also provide training to the following healthcare workers who do not hold a professional registration:
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Health Care Assistants
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Associate Audiologists
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Pharmacy Assistants/ Technicians
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Please note the above list is not exhaustive, please contact if you require further clarification.
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If you do not hold a professional registration you will be required to identify a mentor who will support you with the procedure when you return to your workplace following the course. Please could you provide us with your mentors details on the application form.
If you do not have a Mentor we can provide one.
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Please note your mentor should be a registered healthcare professional and must have completed the irrigation course/ updated in the last 2 years. During the course you will be provided with a workbook and competency booklet which will need to be completed by both yourself and mentor on returning to practice. You will be given three months to complete these and once complete the competency booklet is returned to ourselves for verification and a certificate will be issued.
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