Audiologist

Audiologist

The Audiologist at this level is responsible for providing audiological services to patients who reside in a large geographical area surrounding Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The services provided not only to patients at the hospital in which the Audiology clinic is located; but also to patients at other VA hospitals in the region and patients who are geographically closer to it than any other Audiology & Speech Pathology Clinic.

Responsible for identifying and evaluating individuals with auditory disorders that impact the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals.

Administers the full range of behavioral and physiologic tests such as those that assess vestibular nerve function, auditory brainstem function, otoacoustic emissions, acoustic immittance, acoustic reflex and acoustic reflex decay, as well as a variety of special audiological procedures.

Uses the full range of behavioral and physiologic audiologic diagnostic tests to assist in the differential diagnosis of auditory disorders of such diverse disease entities as otosclerosis, otitis media, cholesteatoma, tumors of the tympanum, Meniere's Syndrome, cerebellopontine angle tumors or other conductive, cochlea, and retrocochlear lesions of the auditory system.

Evaluates the functional status of the ear canal for testing purposes and provides cerumen management.

Responsible for conducting assessment of social efficiency examinations, the results of which will be utilized in the assessment of hearing impairment for adjudication and medico-legal purposes.

Counsel the veteran, and in some cases his/her family or other persons responsible for his/her care, about the nature, degree and ramifications of his/her hearing impairment.

Responsible for direct services of a remedial and sometimes preventative nature. The services provided by the audiologist at this level encompass the accurate selection of monaural or binaural conventional and digital hearing aids including completely-in-the canal through behind-the-ear hearing aids, CROS, Bi-CROS, Multi-CROS hearing aids, conventional and implantable bone conduction hearing aids, middle ear implants, cochlear implants and other implantable hearing aids, and FM integrated hearing aids.

Responsible for the instruction and counseling in the use, fitting, adjustment and modification of all personal amplification systems.

Responsible for the instruction and counseling in use of, and recommendations for procurement of special instruments such as desk amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, Bluetooth compatible devices, FM systems, infra-red devices, induction devices for use with phones, radios, televisions or other electronic devices necessary for communication.

Responsible for the routine inspection and repair, when indicated, of all personal amplification systems or assistive listening devices where indicated.

Responsible for taking an impression of the outer portion of the ear for an ear mold, determination of need for special ear molds made necessary in cases of allergic reaction, severe hearing loss, or other reasons.

Recommends aural rehabilitation programs for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions, develops treatment plans for difficult and complex cases in which communicative function has been impaired due to an auditory disorder, and designs training plans to assist patient and caregivers to in utilizing available hearing resources.

Responsible for providing a comprehensive program of aural rehabilitation to those hearing-impaired patients when this type of clinical management is indicated. Such programs may consist of instruction in maximum use of amplification, maximum utilization of residual hearing and development of supplementary avenues of communication (speech-reading).

Responsible for assisting the supervisor of clinical audiology in the instruction and supervision of student trainees in audiology. He/she may also on occasion provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information related to audiology.

Participate in research activities pertinent to clinical audiology. Although limited the incumbent will participate in research activities pertinent to clinical audiology.

Assist in gathering clinical research data.

Proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation utilized in the assessment of the auditory system. The incumbent must know the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri; 7:30am to 4pm

Telework: Not available.

Functional Statement #: 53777A, 53778A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No Authorized