Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is assigned to the Audiology & Speech Language Pathology within the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). The primary responsibility is patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, charting, and patient education. Closing date extended to increase applicant pool. Qualifications Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 05/29/2026. Basic Requirements Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). 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 including coursework in hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas. There is no combination of education and experience that can substitute for the basic requirements. Licensure or Registration: 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: Must hold active 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 eligibility requirements may receive a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). They shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, may only be appointed at entry level and may not be promoted until board certification is obtained. Temporary appointments may not exceed two years or be converted to a new appointment. Foreign Education: Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to a U.S. conventional program by a private organization that specializes in foreign credential evaluation. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). May qualify if covered by the Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees. Grade Determination: Health Technician (HIS) – GS‑05. Experience: None beyond basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities For GS‑05: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck; basic infection control procedures and guidelines; proficiency in basic computer software (email, spreadsheets, word processing); oral and written communication; following verbal and written instructions; maintaining stock and supply inventories. For GS‑06: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy; understanding of hearing aids, assistive technology, manufacturers and software; documentation of patient procedures and devices; providing patient education for hearing aid use, insertion, removal, hygiene; problem‑solving regarding hearing aids and patient care under audiologist supervision; preparing equipment and environment for audiology procedures; triaging patient telephone calls or audiology requests. Assignments GS‑05 duties: non‑diagnostic otoscopy, proper bracing, referral for abnormalities and cerumen management; rechecking air‑conduction pure‑tone threshold testing; patient care during hearing aid repair appointments; visual and auditory checks using a listening stethoscope; processing incoming devices; preparing and charging devices; restoring settings after repair; maintaining mailing/shipping supplies. GS‑06 duties: complete visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and accessories, registering/certifying/tracking prosthetic devices; assisting in the setup and delivery of face‑to‑face and telehealth visits; fabricating earmold impressions, fitting and modifying earmolds; providing patient counselling, realistic expectations, communication strategies; maintaining supply and equipment tracking systems; assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity and Bluetooth pairings. Duties Direct patient care: hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and accessories; fabrication of earmold impressions; ordering and fitting earmolds; providing hearing aid information and education; assisting in the setup and delivery of face‑to‑face and telehealth visits; assisting with hearing aid connectivity and Bluetooth pairing. Work schedule: Monday‑Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Benefits: competitive salary; 37‑50 days of paid leave (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 sick days, 11 paid federal holidays); paid parental leave up to 12 weeks; childcare subsidy for eligible employees; retirement (traditional pension, 401(k) with up to 5% contribution); full‑time health insurance and other federal benefits; no telework or virtual availability. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of basic medical terminology, hearing aid care, electronic medical records, and patient education for hearing aid maintenance and pairing; at least 1 year working in an Audiology & Speech Pathology clinical setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs