Summary

The Audiology section provides full service rehabilitative services for disorders of the cochlear and vestibular system. The incumbent performs a broad range of tasks in support of the mission of the Audiology Department to include administrative and clinical functions.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience and Education
• Experience
• Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• OR Education
• Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least12 semester hours in courses related to the position
• OR Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry
• English Language Proficiency
• HTA - HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Audiology) - GS-04 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Health Technician (Audiology) - GS-05 Experience
• One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• OR Education
• Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck
• (b)Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• (c)Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies
• (d)Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
• (e)Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
• (f)Skill in using basic computer software such as email - spreadsheet and word processing
• Health Technician (Audiology) - GS-06 Experience
• Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
• (b)Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families
• (c)Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• (d)Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid - hearing assistive technology and patient care - consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
• (e)Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures
• (f)Ability to document and code patient procedures
• Preferred Experience: Cerumen management - patient care and/or telehealth care experience
• Audiology related practice: Hearing aid repairs - technology experience related to Bluetooth pairing in cell phones - hearing screenings - communication strategies with hard of hearing - experience with inventory management - VHA programs such as CPRS - ROES - JLV - Maximo - Vistaimaging - and secure messaging
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Obtains schedule of daily management from MSA staff and monitors the appointment intakes and device needs for all patients in the schedule to including: Tele Audiology appointments - mobile van outreach - vestibular evaluations - electrophysiology appointments - hearing evaluation appointments - hearing aid follow-up and fitting appointments
• Completes earmold impressions
• Orders appropriate replacement parts for hearing aids for Veteran use and clinic stock
• Assemble mailings for post hearing aid fitting surveys - follow up with any surveys that have poor outcomes to triage appropriate action
• Clean and maintain all types of assistive listening devices - hearing aids - and accessories
• Complete wireless pairing to accessories and cell phones for all brands
• Download software module settings to hearing aids returning from repair at factory settings
• Enters hearing aid orders - certifying orders - registering aids - monitoring authorized aids list - and repairs in ROES
• Monitors clinic orders for accuracy and timeliness
• Ensures proper orders for disposable parts and replacement parts in ROES for the clinic stock as well as patient fulfillment requests
• Manages the assistive listening device inventory by independently initiating stock level requests and special orders as needed
• Travel may be required intermittently on an as needed basis
• Collaborates with telehealth staff to implement - monitor and improve the telehealth program - as such works closely with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator as well as direct supervisor
• Documents care according to all procedures - policies and protocols
• Direct delivery duties as patient site clinical technician for assigned audiology clinics during telehealth as instructed by the audiologist
• Maintain clean - disinfected - and sterilized instrumentation - equipment - and work surfaces for all clinic treatment and processing areas
• Documents all direct care patient activities in CPRS and ROES as required per facility policy
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized