Audiologist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary This position is for Ralph H Johnson VAMC. This position provides audiology services to deliver consistent and high-quality care to Veterans with hearing and balance disorders. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyAudiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)EducationDoctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of EducationLicensureIndividuals must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state - territory - commonwealth - or the District of ColumbiaMay 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)Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and licensure - where applicableFor employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment specific requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard(3) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation(4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional licensure that meets all the basic or assignment specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment in the occupationGrade Determinations: GS-13 ExperienceAt least two years of experience as a professional audiologist - with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level GS-12 - the following KSAs are required: Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty programSkill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are metSkill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team membersAbility to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processesAbility to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty programGS-12 Level KSAs Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disordersSkill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disordersAbility to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionalsAbility to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populationsAssignmentFor all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity - and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the timeAudiologists (Clinical Specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design - development - implementation - planning - and management of the specialty programThey serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty programThese individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty programPreferred Experience: 3+ years as Cochlear Implant Audiologist - strong commitment to evidence based practice - strong organizational and critical thinking skillsReference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G29For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of sitting - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching and lifting moderately heavy itemsMust be able to push a patient in a wheelchair and assist in transferring from wheelchair to exam chair. Duties The Audiologist (Clinical Specialists) provides leadership and directs oversight in the design - development - implementation - planning and management of the specialty programServes as a coach or facilitator for an interdisciplinary team and is responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty programThis individual serves as the SME in matters regarding the specialty programTypical duties may include - but are not limited to: Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions - needs - and expectationsPlans - coordinates - and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize functionEvaluates patients to determine nature - type - and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques - past - family - and social history - record review - and consultation with family and other health care practitionersProvides hearing aid evaluations - assessments - selection - fitting - orientation - training - and follow-up servicesConducts verification measurements to determine function of hearingPerforms compensation and pension examinations - medical opinions - tinnitus evaluations - special auditory and vestibular testsDemonstrate advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty programEvaluates the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are metCoordinates initiatives and builds consensus among interdisciplinary team members: Attends interdisciplinary team meetingsparticipates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient - advises on diagnosis and treatmentConsults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatmentWork Schedule: Monday - Wednesday-Friday - 6:30am - 5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: FS 62255 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized