Remote Care Audiologist

Audiologists provide clinical service to Veterans and other beneficiaries in VHA medical centers – clinics – domiciliaries – nursing care facilities – community care settings – Community-Based Outpatient Clinics – Veterans Outreach Centers – Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) offices – and VHA Central Office. Performing these duties – audiologists demonstrate professional knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of theories – principles – and methodologies of the practice of audiology.

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association (ASHA)

HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.NOTE: Effective January 1 – 2007 – the CAA in Audiology and Speech‑Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology

Licensure: Individuals must hold a full – current – and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state – territory – commonwealth – or the District of Columbia

The Under Secretary of Health – or designee – may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research – academic – or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities

In such instances – HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area

All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full – current – and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2

English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.Employees in VHA in this occupation – under a permanent – appropriate – and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard – are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held – including positive education and licensure – where applicable

Employees may be reassigned – promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level – or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation – but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions

Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard

Grade Determinations: GS‑12 Audiologist Experience: In addition to the requirements at the GS‑11 level – completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level

Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level – the following KSAs are required:

Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals

This is the full performance level for staff audiologists

At this level – audiologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of audiologic services – consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate

Audiologists serve as consultants to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing – tinnitus – and balance disorders

The supervisor may assign staff audiologists to any VHA program and setting – such as inpatient or outpatient medicine – primary care – surgery – hearing health – neurology – rehabilitation medicine – geriatrics – compensation – and pension

Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders – conduct audiologic – or neuro‑audiologic assessments

and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders

Audiologists consult with medical center staff on various patient care issues

Staff audiologists may be involved in program evaluation – teaching – training – and research activities

Among the modalities provided are individual – family – and group audiologic rehabilitation

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.

The staff audiologist conducts a full‑range of audiologic evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss – determines the patients' need for amplification – predicts and measures the effectiveness of amplification – and determines the need for and type of rehabilitation and counseling of veterans with hearing loss – vestibular dysfunction – and/or tinnitus

Uses a wide‑range of knowledge and skill in applying evidenced‑based principles and methodologies of the practice of Audiology across the spectrum of adult patients

Demonstrates knowledge of clinical Audiology services

Performs clinical Audiology services independently

Provides consultation to other health care professionals

Demonstrates ability to perform functions associated with contemporary Audiology practice

Participates in orientation/training of medical staff – students – and residents

Assists in orientation and training of new ASPS staff

Assists in the training and supervision of students – trainees – externs and fellows in ASPS – providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals

Maintains knowledge and skill of contemporary Audiology practice through continuing education programs – journals – textbooks – and in‑service programs

Participates in performance improvement

Follows applicable informed consent processes – HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting of patient rights – and computer security processes

Maintains a safe an orderly work area to include supplies and equipment Other tasks as assigned

Intermittent Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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