Health Technician (Hearing Instrument)

Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

As members of the audiology service and hearing health care team, the Health Technician (HIS) possesses knowledge of basic ear anatomy and a broad knowledge of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology. The Health Technician (HIS) possesses the skills necessary to assist patients with concerns related to their hearing aids and/or hearing assistive technology, consistent with the treatment plan of the audiologist. This work may include the provision of a wide array of clinical rehabilitation services to support Veterans with disabilities reintegrate into community, employment and independent living.

Direct patient care duties may include, but not limited to the following:

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair;
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance);
• Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy;
• Ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds, if necessary;
• Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan, including, but not limited to, realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation;
• Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment;
• Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to, downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing hearing aid accessories.
• 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.
• Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items;
• Ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks;
• Prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory.
• Assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 70793-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Duty Location: will be discussed upon selection

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)