This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Health Technician-Audiology, GS-0640-4/5/6 position in Rehabilitation Service at the VA Montana Health Care System, Billings, MT.

Duties

Health technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. 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. Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. Direct patient care duties may include, but not limited to the following: Greeting and escorting patients. Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting. Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation. Performing non-diagnostic otoscopy. Taking earmold impressions, hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers. Performing listening checks on hearing aids, performing Electroacoustic analysis of devices. Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth Technology. Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids and activating remote controls. Administrative duties may include, but not limited to, the following: Managing office supplies and tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Scheduling patient appointments. Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories. Processing ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Responding to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic, reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52073-O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). 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. Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. English Language Proficiency. HTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403 (f). 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: HTA, GS-04 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. HTA, GS-05 Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. HTA, GS-06 Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. Ability to document and code patient procedures. Preferred Experience: Interest in hearing sciences References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II, Appendix G70 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment, or assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The position requires travel between VA and/or Non-VA clinical care sites and possession of a valid driver's license may be required.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Rodney Riggleman
• Phone: (801) 584-5685
• Email: [email protected]