Incumbent is an Audiologist (Tele-Cochlear Specialist) and is at the above full performance level. This position is located in the Audiology Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System in Minneapolis, MN. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The Tele-Cochlear Audiologist has special clinical program responsibilities..

Duties

Major Duties: The Tele-Cochlear Audiologist provides leadership and directs oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the Tele-Cochlear program. Serves as a coach or facilitator for an interdisciplinary team and is responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. Serves as the SME (subject matter expert) in matters regarding the specialty program. Conducts telemedicine for cochlear implants with eligible program sites as well as VA Video Connect (VVC) and remote programming appointments for qualifying hearing aid patients. Communicate with future and current implant recipients and non-VA providers to collaborate patient care. Train and educate staff, residents, and audiologists within VISN 23 to further the ongoing development of the Hearing Implant Program. Evaluate candidacy for cochlear implantation by conducting initial audiological evaluation, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing (if appropriate). Candidacy determination is also to include-- verification of current hearing aids, aided evaluation with speech perception abilities, evaluation of audiologic and otologic history, assessment of cognitive and emotional factors, and discussion of realistic expectations, benefits/limitations of implant, and surgical/follow up procedures. Perform device selection, provide pre-and post-surgical assessment, counseling, and all aspects of audiologic treatment including auditory training, rehabilitation, initial device activation, implant programming (mapping), NRT/NRI intraoperative measures, and ongoing maintenance of the cochlear implant speech processing system. Measure progress with the cochlear implant at routine follow-up appointments (via telemedicine or in-person) by comparing behavioral and speech discrimination tests from previous visits and perform validation measures such as the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Sound (SSQ), the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and/or the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) to evaluate veteran satisfaction. Determine candidacy for osseo-integrated bone-anchored implants (BAI) and assistive listening technologies based on hearing evaluation, medical evaluation, communication information, and performance with a trial BAI sound processor, with while taking into consideration physical, cognitive, acoustic, cosmetic, situational, and contextual factors. Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Provides hearing aid evaluations, assessments, selection, fitting, orientation, training, and follow-up services. Conducts verification measurements to determine function of hearing. Performs compensation and pension examinations, medical opinions, tinnitus evaluations, special auditory and vestibular tests. Demonstrates advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of the Tele-Cochlear Program. Coordinates initiatives and builds consensus among interdisciplinary team members: Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Monitors and reports on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday; Days Telework: ADHOC Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required 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). Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but previously met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Audiologists may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Audiologists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Audiologists who are appointed temporarily 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 meet the basic requirements of the standard. Audiologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level, which includes but not limited to: 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. References: VA Handbook 5005/38 Part II Appendix G-29 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or 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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Ken Johnson
• Phone: 612-467-2294
• Email: [email protected]