Each month Mediplacements would like to recognise one of our locums for their personal achievement and commitment to the Healthcare service!

Name: Sonja Jones

Profession: Audiologist

Where are you from? I’m originally from Lincolnshire, but I now live in sunny North Wales

Current Locum position? Paediatric Audiologist

Personal achievements within the role? I had a 10 year old boy who was seriously struggling with Tinnitus – it was making him cry himself to sleep. I developed and arranged an interactive educational session (inclusive of ukulele, colouring pens, and all manner of shenanigans) for the boy and his Mum to come in to help understand how he is feeling about the “noise” and to educate them both about what it is and why it happens. At the end of the session, I asked him to rate how he was feeling about his tinnitus - after our time together on the very scientific smiley face scale…he pointed to the happiest face and said “now that I understand what it is, I know not be scared of it any more. This was really fun” – the most fantastic first session.

What do you enjoy about being a locum? I enjoy the variety of work and developing my skills set further, meeting lots of new people and making new friends, moreover, the flexibility that locum work grants me. I am particularly thankful to Mediplacements for their kind support throughout placement – I will always turn to Mediplacements (particularly Simon) for work.

Most memorable moment within your career? I don’t think I have a single moment. I think my most memorable moments have been whilst working as a Paediatric Audiologist – working with children with complex needs is something very special for so many different reasons. Working as a freelance hearing health lecturer for Royal Northern College of Music has been incredible also – in terms of switching on “too cool for school” music students on to a “boring” subject such as noise protection and seeing them put their theory into action is pretty awesome. The same goes for teaching dispensers when I worked for Starkey Laboratories – turning “dull” subjects into something interesting and curious, such as “speed date your earmould”…those “light bulb” moments are very special.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 items would you take?
1.) My Ukulele – even in dire straits that has the ability to make you giggle.
2.) A fishing rod and tackle – I’m always thinking about my belly and so food needs to not be too hard to get!
3.) Can my partner be classed as an item? If not, I’ll settle for an unlimited supply for teabags!