Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&RS) at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS). The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. 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 Policy English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English 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) Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (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 supervision of a licensed audiologist Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment 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 includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas Grade Determinations G-5: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. 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 Grade Determinations G-6: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy; Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software; Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices; Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use—including 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 situations; 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; Ability to prepare patient equipment and/or environment for audiology procedures; Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests Reference: For more information on this qualification standard—please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is G-6 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of G-5 to G-6 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Ensures 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 ROES Work is reviewed for accuracy Follows established infection control procedures and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic; processes reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies Instructs and counsels on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; conducts hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation; provides basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers; prepares hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; programs previously stored settings into hearing aids Work Schedule: 8:00am – 4:30pm – Monday to Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases when 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 experience 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 #: 62264F & 62263F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs