Audiologist

Audiology Position

The incumbent functions as an audiologist under the supervision of an assigned licensed and credentialed audiologist as determined by the Chief of the Audiology/Speech Pathology Service. Individual and program goals and objectives will be provided to the incumbent as a part of the performance review process. The incumbent is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments independently, resolving conflicts as they arise, coordinating work with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the assigned supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.

As an independent practitioner, the employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment independently, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary, and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives. In some assignments, the employee also determines the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The employee keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed only in meeting technical requirements or expected results.

Duties listed are at the Full performance level GS-12, include, but are not limited to:

• Plans, conducts, monitors, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary, evidence-based, and patient-centered audiology practice.
• Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services, including conducting medical-legal Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations, the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their families.
• Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language, and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administers the full range of tests (e.g., auditory evoked potential testing, central auditory processing testing, testing of vestibular nerve function, etc.) and evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reactions to diagnostics.
• Responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions, including, but not limited to, the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids; programming of digital hearing aids; issuance of hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment; selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems' and inspection, modification, and repair of amplification devices and ear molds.
• Plans, conducts, and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients; designs individual and group (as needed) patient-centered treatment plans to assist patients and caregivers to maximize and restore, to the greatest extent possible, physical and social functioning; and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure.
• Responsible for supervising, evaluating, mentoring, and precepting student trainees in audiology and maintaining a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities. He/she may also provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information related to audiology.
• Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy.
• Remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions.
• This position requires communication, and the incumbent will be expected to attend regular staff meetings and interdisciplinary health care team meetings as appropriate; review policies and procedures; and attend in-service training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor.

Functional Statement #: 10742F / 10741F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized