Health Technician Audiology

Summary The Health Technician Audiology (HTA) works under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. This position is located within the Audiology Service of the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System. 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 supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Greets and escorts patients Provides patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; Conducts hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation Non-diagnostic otoscopy; Cerumen management Takes earmold impressions; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Provides basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers Performs listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices Pairs hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology Programs previously stored settings into hearing aids; Activating remote controls. Ensures timely and accurate documentation of all interaction in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES Manages office supplies, tracks loaner stock hearing aid inventory, electronic ordering, verifies orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Places RTC orders for appointments. Packages and mails hearing aids and accessories. Processes ROES transactions (e.g., certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Responds to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assists patients, visitors, and other requesting information. Manages infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Ensures maintenance of lean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the Audiology clinic. Reprocesses reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized for a 5/4/9 schedule Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: 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: 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 position. Functional Statement #: 54939-0,54940-0,54941-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications * This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/02/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 07/16/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. 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 Policy. English Language Proficiency: HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Experience and/or Education: Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to he position. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on 05/13/2021 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Entry level developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment & treatment. Adheres to the audiology clinic policy & standard operating procedures for infection control & cleaning, sterilization & disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). Maintains a comprehensive supply & equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME & consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies & equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing/shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid & hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders & return for credit items; & maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-5 Experience or Education: Must have one year of experience comparable to the GS-4 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills & abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Successfully completed four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. GS-5 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. Assignment. Developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments include, but are not limited to answering & screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs; assisting the audiologist with patient assessment & treatment; assisting with walk-in appointments; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing & charging (if required) hearing aids & assistive devices for delivery. Adheres to the audiology clinic policy & standard operating procedures for infection control & cleaning, sterilization & disposition of RME. Maintains a comprehensive supply & equipment tracking system to include: monitoring stock of RME & consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies & equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing/shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid & hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders & return for credit items; & maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-6 Experience: Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level directly related to the position being filled. GS-6 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. Ability to document and code patient procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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 tGS-4 to . GS-6. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of work require light lifting/carrying under 50 lbs.; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking; standing; hearing aid permitted; mental & emotional stability; working around machinery. Prolonged sitting and/or standing (6-8 hours) and the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.