Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

This position is located in the Audiology Service at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care system (GCVHCS) at the Pensacola, FL Outpatient Clinic and serves as a member of the audiology service and hearing health care team.

Responsibilities

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology, including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance)
• Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy, ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC, and fitting and modifying earmolds if necessary
• Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan, including realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation
• Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment
• Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity, including downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing hearing aid accessories
• Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records, including correct documentation using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES
• Completing documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and coding procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist

Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists (copy of document verifying program completion required)
• OR Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes course work related to the field such as hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology, or other general healthcare areas (transcripts required)
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Licensure or Registration: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia (copy of licensure or registration required)
• Board Certification: Must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) (copy of board certification required)

Qualifications

GS-5 Entry Level

• Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
  • Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
  • Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets, and word processing
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
  • Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories

GS-06 - Full Performance Level

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05)
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
  • Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers, and manufacturer software
  • Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices
  • Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, including assisting patients with hearing aid insertion, removal, and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)
  • Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations
  • Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, and patient care consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
  • Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures
  • Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests

Preferred Experience

• Clinical Experience:
  • Experience in conducting hearing tests and assessments
  • Hands-on experience fitting, adjusting, and repairing hearing aids
  • Proficiency in taking ear impressions and modifying earmolds
• Technical Skills:
  • Knowledge of audiometric equipment and software used for hearing evaluations
  • Familiarity with different types and brands of hearing aids and assistive listening devices
  • Competence in troubleshooting and maintaining hearing aid devices
• Patient Care Skills:
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for patient interaction
  • Ability to explain complex hearing device technology in understandable terms
  • Experience in counseling patients on hearing loss and hearing aid use
• Administrative Skills:
  • Experience in maintaining patient records and handling documentation related to hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings
  • Knowledge of insurance and third-party billing procedures specific to audiology services
• Continuing Education:
  • Commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements and technologies in hearing instruments
  • Participation in ongoing professional development or continuing education courses
• Other General Skills:
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

Physical Requirements

• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation
• May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions. The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment requires the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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).

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).