Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary Duties are performed across Audiology clinical and patient-care areas at Overton Brooks VAMC and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The HIS provides both direct and indirect patient care - manages technical and administrative aspects of hearing aid delivery and maintenance - assists audiologists with evaluation and treatment preparation - and supports face-to-face and telehealth encounters. 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 PolicyExperience and EducationExperienceCompletion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid SpecialistsOR EducationSuccessful 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 areasNOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirementsLicensure or RegistrationIndividuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state - territory - commonwealth or the District of ColumbiaBoard CertificationIndividuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS)(a) Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)(B)(b) Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist(c) Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained(d) Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointmentForeign EducationTo 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 credentialsGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in above - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesHealth Technician (HIS) - GS-05(1) ExperienceNone beyond the basic requirements(2) Knowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck(b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines(c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email - creating spreadsheets and word processing(d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing(e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions(f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventoriesHealth Technician (HIS) - GS-06(1) ExperienceOne year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade(2) Knowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy(b) Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software(c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices(d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use - to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion - removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)(e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations(f) 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(g) Ability to prepare patient - equipment - and/or environment for audiology procedures(h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requestsPreferred Experience: NoneReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 06The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 06Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautionsthe area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilatedHowever - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Primary responsibility is for patient care - supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures - patient charting and patient education - which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensureSupport functions include both direct patient care and administrative dutiesDirect Patient Care (Full Performance Level) Conduct non-diagnostic otoscopyidentify abnormalitiesperform cerumen management consistent with audiologist plan of carePerform pass/fail hearing screenings without interpretationconduct immittance screening without interpretationTake ear mold impressions and fit/modify ear molds as neededTroubleshoot and repair hearing aidsperform listening checks and electroacoustic analyses of devicesProgram previously stored settings into hearing aidsactivate remote controlspair hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth® technologyProvide patient/caregiver instruction and counseling on hearing loss - hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - communication strategies - and realistic expectationsAdministrative / Technical Support Complete visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and assistive technology - including accessories and alerting devicesRegister - certify - issue - and track prosthetic devices (hearing aids - accessories - assistive devices)manage loaner hearing aid inventory when applicablePrepare equipment for patient evaluation and Audiology procedures - including daily biologic listening checks of audiometric equipment and calibration checks of real-ear systemsRestore device settings following repair or replacementcoordinate factory returns when indicatedAssist with setup and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visitssupport app downloads and Bluetooth® pairing in clinicMaintain comprehensive supply/equipment tracking systems - manage RME and consumable stock - and ensure inventory levels support daily operationsCommunication and Documentation Receive and route incoming Veteran communications (phone/electronic) to the audiology team and facilitate follow-up per treatment planResponsible for ensuring 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 ROESComplete documentation for each episode of care per medical center timeliness standards and code procedures as appropriate for audiologist co-signatureWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-1630 - (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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)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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 01082-F - 01083-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized