The audiologist at this level conducts audiological assessment to determine a patient's need for amplification, predict effectiveness of amplification, determine need for and type of aural rehabilitation and counseling of the hearing impaired Veteran and their family. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center, including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service and CBOCs.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Responsible for conducting assessment of social efficiency exanimations, the results of which will be utilized in the assessment of hearing impairment for adjudication and medico-legal purposes. Counsel the veteran, and in some cases his/her family or other persons responsible for his/her care, about the nature, degree and ramification of his/her hearing impairment. Perform special audiological procedures (S1S1, Tone Decay, Bekesy, Acoustic Reflex, and Middle Ear Impedance) to assist the neurologist in the differential diagnosis of auditory disorders. Responsible for direct services of a remedial and sometimes preventative nature which encompass accurate selection and fitting of electro-acoustic hearing aid; taking an impression of the outer portion of the ear for an ear mold; determination of need for special ear molds (such as vented, soft plastic, skeleton, acrylic, etc.) made necessary in cases of allergic reaction, severe hearing loss, or other reasons; recommendations for procurement of special instruments such as desk amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, etc.; routine hearing aid inspection and repair where possible; recommendations for change in employment in those cases where hearing loss is progressive due to on-the-job high level noise exposure. Provides a comprehensive program of aural rehabilitation to those hearing impaired patients when this type of clinical management is indicated. The incumbent will be responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation utilized in the assessment of the auditory system. The incumbent must have a considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments. Performs other related duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F50162 & FS50163 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Audiologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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. Education: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org. OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AuD programs in audiology. Grade Determinations:GS-11 Education and Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in audiologist entry-level developmental positions. Audiologists perform audiology assessment and treatment intervention, exercise clinical judgment, adapt clinical procedures and techniques and document in the medical record appropriate information related to patient care. Grade Determinations:GS-12: 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: Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. Assignment. 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, treat auditory disorders through a various modalities 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/152, Part II, Appendix G29, Audiologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Requires periods of sitting, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers and both hands required; good vision with corrective glasses or contacts; or hearing with aid. Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Applicants for this position must pass a pre-employment medical examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center One Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30901 US
• Name: Todd Bellamy
• Phone: 704-638-9000 X16469
• Email: [email protected]