Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary This position is located in the Audiology Service at Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa - AL. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology and will be under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. 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 Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyExperience and Education: Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid SpecialistsOR 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 areasNOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirementsLicensure or Registration: Individuals 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 ColumbiaLoss of Licensure or Registration: A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employmentBoard Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technicians (HIS) 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)Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervisions of a licensed audiologistNon-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtainedTemporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary positionFailure to Obtain Certification: In all cases - Health Technicians (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointmentAt the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with written requirements for board certification - including the time (i.e. - two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadlineFailure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employmentLoss of Certification: A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employmentEnglish Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7403(f)GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met when determining the gradeTo qualify as a Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirementsKnowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you must also demonstrate the following KSAsKnowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neckKnowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelinesSkill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email - creating spreadsheets and word processingAbility to communicate orally and in writingAbility to follow verbal and written instructionsAbility to maintain stock and supply level inventoriesTo qualify as a Health Technician (HIS) - GS-06: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05)Experience at the next lower grade level includes but is not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen managementrechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointmentsproviding patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologist's treatment planKnowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomyKnowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer softwareSkill in documenting patient procedures and patient devicesSkill in providing patient education for hearing aid use - to include assisting patient 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 situationsAbility 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 audiologistAbility to prepare patient - equipment - and/or environment for audiology proceduresAbility to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests - Preferred Experience: Experience working with hearing aids and strong customer service skillsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a health care settingPhysical demands includes but are not limited to: lifting 50 pounds and overmoderate carrying of 15-49 poundsreaching above shoulderuse of fingersgood dexterity (both hands required)prolonged walking and standingrepeated bending - pushing - pulling - and twistingability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneouslyfar vision correctable in one eye to 20/20ability to distinguish basic colorshearing (aid permitted)speed in workingand emotional stabilityWork may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseasesWorking conditions include: outside and inside work - exposure to radiant energy - and constant noise. Duties 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 dutites.For GS-5 - duties include but are not limited to: Greeting and escorting patientsProviding patient instruction and basic hearing aid informationNon-diagnostic otoscopyCerumen managementTaking earmold impressionsHearing aid troubleshooting and repairProviding basic hearing aid information for patients and caregiversPerforming listening checks on hearing aidsElectroacoustic analysis of devicesPairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technologyEnsuring 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 ROESManaging office suppliesResponding to routine inquiries from patients - including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questionsPerforms other duties as assignedFor GS-6 - duties include but are not limited to: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repairPerforming visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshooting performance)Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopyOrdering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting modifying earmolds - if necessaryCounseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group settingConducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretationProviding information for patients and caregiver consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan - including but not limited to realistic expectations - communication strategies - and/or aural rehabilitationAssisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology proceduresCompletes 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 audiologistPerforms other duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pmWork schedule subject to change based on agency needTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 62701F - 62702F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized