Interview: Audiologist Blake Henderson on the rewards of supervision and what makes a great intern

2023 Outstanding Audiology Australia Supervisor, Blake Henderson

Behind every audiologist working today are the unsung heroes that guide them – the parents, mentors and teachers, university tutors and lecturers, and crucially the clinical supervisors that provide guidance to ensure that the latest cohort of university graduates are ready for the realities of the audiology workforce.

Blake Henderson, a clinical intern supervisor at Amplifon Warwick WA, is one such dedicated clinical supervisor. Passionate about shaping the next generation of audiologists, Blake was recognised with the 2023 Outstanding Audiology Australia Supervisor award, a testament to his leadership, mentorship and commitment to excellence in clinical education.

In this Q&A, Blake shares what drives his passion for supervision, the rewards of mentoring, what makes a great intern, and his hopes for the future of audiology, particularly in ensuring inclusive, ethical and culturally safe care for all Australians.

Audiology Australia: What initially inspired you to become a clinical supervisor?

Blake: As a student I came to appreciate that we were often placed with some of the best audiologists a company had, to teach, supervise, and mentor us. When I gained my QP and accreditation (or the CCP as we called it back in those days), I felt it also became my responsibility to ‘give back’ to students and interns in the way many previous audiologists had done for me in the past

How would you describe your approach to mentoring and supervising early career audiologists?

I’m a firm believer in a kinesthetic/hands-on approach to learning. Many of my former interns and students can attest that they’ve been handed an appointment or situation where they doubted their readiness for it, but came out realising how accomplished and capable they are! We grow and learn best while in our ‘stretch-zone’, but I also believe that we need a space in which it is safe to both try, and to fail. That is where we will often find out what works best for us. It is of course important that we get things right, but it’s also important to realise that we can make mistakes, learn from them, and we can always fix it in post.

What are some of the most rewarding moments you’ve had as a supervisor?

One of the most rewarding achievements was to be awarded one of the inaugural Outstanding Audiology Australia Supervisor awards. It is quite an honour to be recognised by your industry body for your contributions in your chosen field. What made it even more special, is that my then intern was also awarded the Audiology Australia Internship Award at the same time! I’ve also felt privileged to be invited to and present the last two Audiology Australia supervision webinars. Being able to provide some of my experience and insights to both new and experienced supervisors alike across so much of the industry is also such a rewarding feeling.

What qualities do you think makes a great intern?

Audiology sits at an ever-evolving cross-section of healthcare, technology, counselling, and client/customer relationships. Technical skills and clinical excellence can be just as important as interpersonal and soft skills at times, and interns that can be flexible, versatile, and adapt to a client’s needs will do well. But someone who is bringing a great attitude to work, contributing to a culture of excellence in their workplace, who wants to learn, make a difference – change lives – they’re going to be the one who finds themselves with the best opportunities in front of them.

What strategies do you use to balance the demands of supervising interns while still maintaining your own clinical workload?

As a supervisor, I focus on time management with appointments from week one. It’s important to be able manage clients and diary time effectively. One side of that equation is being efficient and prepared – another is knowing your limits and capabilities. The sooner the basics are locked down, the more time is available to focus on the complex and unusual cases that inevitably appear. As a clinician, I always try to provide the client with the best service and a same-day solution whenever practical. As a supervisor, I try to keep myself as easy to reach as could practically be expected – inevitably there are times where we won’t both be able to confer on a file, and that is why it is also important to help your interns develop their network with colleagues you can trust to provide a second opinion.

How do you navigate the balance between clinical skills and patient-centred care, especially in diverse communities?

I’ve always felt there is that balance to be struck between the needs and goals of all the stakeholders present in the appointment. I promote a client-centric approach, where client experience and clinical outcomes are at the forefront of what we do, but any appointment where everyone feels better off after it than they were before is a win. It’s important to acknowledge that policies/processes are put in place for a reason – but where those constructs are prohibitive to the best care we can provide, we also have a duty to find and promote a better way.

What are your hopes for the next generation of audiologists, especially those that might train in diverse or underrepresented communities?

I hope the next generation of audiologists can improve upon the logistical and technical barriers in delivering hearing healthcare to those that are still in the greatest need, while maintaining an ethical and culturally respectful approach to those in our care. I look forward to seeing the next generation increase the awareness and profile of audiology, as they continue to join the industry, and advocate for our profession.