Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary Incumbent is a staff health technician (HIS) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. This position is in the Audiology Service at the Columbia VA HCS. 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. 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: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Experience and Education Experience Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists OR Education 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 NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements 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 Loss of Licensure or Registration: A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment 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 Grandfathering Provision 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) Grade Determinations Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements Health Technician (HIS) - GS-06 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge - Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 For GS-06: 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 - to include 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 Assignment Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician(HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management Rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments Providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan Completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance) Processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology Preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery Receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer - such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC) Maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies Employees at GS-06 level: full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments include: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories - as well as - alerting devices (troubleshoots performance) Registering - certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids - hearing aid accessories and assistive devices) 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 Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional GS-05 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 58481F and 58355F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Reference For more information on this qualification standard - please visit #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs