Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

About the role

This position is located in the Audiology Service at Sioux Falls VA in Sioux Falls, SD. The primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education.

Responsibilities

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology
• 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
• Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures
• Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to, downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing hearing aid accessories
• Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items
• Assisting patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency

Requirements

• Driver's License required

Qualifications

• Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists
• Two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas
• Full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• Active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)

Skills

• Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
• Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• Knowledge of how to document patient procedures and patient devices
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
• 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 that is 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

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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)
• 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
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Schedule

Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm CST

Benefits

• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Additional Information

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System