Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

About the role

The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is assigned to the Audiology & Speech Language Pathology within the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). The primary responsibility is patient care – supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education. This vacancy will remain open until filled; additional applications will be referred as needed.

Responsibilities

• GS‑05 (entry‑level developmental position)
  • Perform non‑diagnostic otoscopy, including proper bracing techniques, and refer for abnormalities and cerumen management.
  • Re‑check air‑conduction pure‑tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying treatment plans during hearing‑aid repair appointments.
  • Provide patient care in hearing‑aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist’s treatment plan.
  • Complete visual and auditory checks with a listening stethoscope of hearing aids before and after repair (troubleshoot performance).
  • Process incoming devices from patients with hearing‑aid concerns.
  • Prepare and charge (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery.
  • Receive devices and restore settings after repair or replacement from manufacturers (e.g., Denver Logistics Center).
  • Maintain proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies.
• GS‑06 (full performance level)
  • Complete visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and assistive technology, including accessories and alerting devices (troubleshoot performance).
  • Register, certify, and track prosthetic devices (hearing aids, accessories, assistive devices).
  • Assist in set‑up and delivery of face‑to‑face and telehealth visits by preparing equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures (e.g., daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and real‑ear calibration).
  • Fabricate earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, order earmolds through prosthetics or DLC, and fit/modify earmolds as needed.
  • Provide patient counseling during hearing‑aid repair appointments, covering realistic expectations, communication strategies, and aural rehabilitation.
  • Maintain comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems, monitor stock of RME and consumable items, ensure proper inventory levels, prioritize acquisition based on expiration dates, and may maintain a loaner hearing‑aid inventory.
  • Assist patients with hearing‑aid connectivity, including downloading applications, pairing devices via Bluetooth®, and pairing hearing‑aid accessories.

Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen (non‑citizens may be appointed only when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible).
• Experience and Education:
  • Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists, or
  • Successful completion of two academic years above high school that include coursework in hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing‑instrument science, gerontology, psychology, or other general health‑care areas.

  Note: No combination of education and experience can substitute for the basic requirements.

• Licensure or Registration: Full, current, unrestricted license or registration to practice as a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Board Certification: Active certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC‑HIS). Non‑board‑certified applicants may receive a temporary graduate HIS appointment under supervision, limited to two years and not promotable until board certification is obtained.
• Foreign Education: Must be deemed equivalent to a U.S. program by a recognized credential‑evaluation organization.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Grade Determination: Position is GS‑05 to GS‑06. GS‑06 requires one year of experience equivalent to the GS‑05 level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck (GS‑05).
• Knowledge of basic infection‑control procedures and guidelines (GS‑05).
• Skill in using basic computer software (email, spreadsheets, word processing) (GS‑05).
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing (GS‑05).
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions (GS‑05).
• Ability to maintain stock and supply‑level inventories (GS‑05).
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy (GS‑06).
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing‑assistive technology, manufacturers, and manufacturer software (GS‑06).
• Skill in documenting patient procedures and devices (GS‑06).
• Skill in providing patient education for hearing‑aid use, insertion, removal, and hygiene (GS‑06).
• Ability to educate patients on hearing loss, communication strategies, and various listening situations (GS‑06).
• Problem‑solving ability regarding hearing aids, assistive technology, and patient care consistent with a co‑signed plan of care (GS‑06).
• Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and environment for audiology procedures (GS‑06).
• Ability to triage patient telephone calls or audiology requests (GS‑06).

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays).
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster‑care placement.
• Child‑Care Subsidy: After 60 days, full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25 % of eligible child‑care costs, capped at $416.66 per month.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage (many programs portable into retirement).

Pay

Competitive salary with regular salary increases.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with the work are typical for the occupation and generally do not require a pre‑placement examination.

Telework / Remote

Telework: Not available. This position is not virtual/remote.