Health Technician (Audiology)

Summary This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at Orlando VA Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service including future sites of care not specifically listed. The incumbent is a staff health technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a Senior Audiologist. 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 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)Experience and EducationExperienceSix 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 filledOR - EducationSuccessful 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 positionForeign EducationTo be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programsOR Experience/Education CombinationEquivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifyingAn 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 industryGrandfathering ProvisionAll individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certificationFor employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positionsIf an HTA - HTSLP or HTASLP who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupationHTAs - HTSLPs or HTASLPs 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 standardEmployees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupationGrade Determinations: GS-06 ExperienceCompletion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filledDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomyKnowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and familiesKnowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer softwareAbility 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 audiologistAbility to prepare patients for testing proceduresAbility to document and code patient proceduresReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupationMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Duties Duties include but are not limited to: Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group settingImmittance screening without interpretationNon-diagnostic otoscopy - taking earmold impressions - hearing aid troubleshooting and repairProviding basic haring aid information for patients and caregivers - performing listening checks on hearing aids - analysis of devices functionPairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology - programming previously stored settings into hearing aids - activating remote controlsAssist in setting up and delivering face-to-face and telehealth/virtual visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology proceduresEnsuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROESResponsible of telephone and/or mail communications both within the clinic and within the facility as a wholeManaging office supplies - tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory - electronic ordering - verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly - scheduling appointments - and packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessoriesWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #:82585F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Available for highly qualified candidatesPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.