Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

About the role

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Service at the W.G. "Bill" Hefner VAMC in Salisbury, NC. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.

Responsibilities

• 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 but not limited to, 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 but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment.
• 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.
• The Health Technician (HIS) completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist.
• Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items.
• Ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks.
• Prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory.
• Processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology.
• Preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery.
• Receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer, Denver Logistics Center (DLC).
• Maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies.
• The Health Technician (HIS) receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans (electronic and telephone), and facilitates follow-up based on audiologist's treatment plan to include ordering supplies through DLC.

Requirements

• Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR
• Successful completion of 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.

Qualifications

• Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR Education: Successful completion of 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.
• Licensure or Registration: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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.