The Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) - Cochlear Implants and Auditory Osseointegrated Implants is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. This position can be based out of any site of care.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the organization at all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. The incumbent is assigned to a primary duty station but will routinely travel to other sites in accordance with facility policy as part of their Special Clinical Program Responsibilities. Audiologists (clinical specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. The Audiologist as this level plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders. The duties of this position are to perform independently the full range of audiological activities for the care of inpatients and outpatients presenting with the most difficult and complex hearing disorders, including those patients whose communicative abilities are compounded by emotional and/or extreme physical symptoms, on an independent basis. The incumbent at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. The incumbent is an independent licensed practitioner operates under clinical privileges. In addition to the duties and responsibilities at the GS-12 grade level, the audiologist has special clinical program responsibilities to include cochlear implants and all other auditory osseointegrated implants (AOI). The incumbent possess advanced clinical knowledge in the audiology profession with emphasis in cochlear implants including: Software experience with the VA cochlear implant devices on contract. Use of cochlear implant accessories. Advanced troubleshooting techniques. Additional CI/AOI clinical program responsibilities include but are not limited to: Coordinating all CIs/AOIs device trainings for staff audiologists, health technicians, TCTs, and residents as well as interdisciplinary providers. Teaching any appropriate patient education classes or groups CIs/AOIs. Providing 1:1 clinical care for CIs/AOIs including the most challenging and complex patients. The incumbent will be responsible for the development and provision of virtual care modalities for the cochlear implant program. Responsible for coordinating of all performance improvement activities related to the cochlear implant program. Participation in research with speech processor devices or other therapies resulting in publications and/or presentations. Maintaining oversight of the CIs/AOIs program including clinic utilization. Responsible for grid and schedule maintenance for all CIs/AOIs related care across the organization. Will work closely with site specific supervisors as appropriate. Clinical oversight and training of audiologists and audiology health technicians related to CIs/AOIs care at all Audiology clinic locations. Precepts students and externs (including those outside ASPS) as requested. Serve as a mentor for all staff Audiologists who are in training to be CI/AOI Audiologists. Provides information on CIs/AOIs and any applicable outcome measures for station level OAA Trainee application. Incumbent provides support including continuing education services to clinical audiology peers. Incumbent confers with clinical peers at all sites of care for coordination of CI/AOI services and devices for patients unable or unwilling to seek services at the main campus. Assists with service level management for care in the community for all types of clinical audiology care. The incumbent organizes clinical data systematically for effective retrieval for clinic and investigational requirements. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing programs that occur in the delivery of services, collection or related data and information, and implementation solutions and follow-up plans to assure that the actions were appropriate. Work Schedule: To be determined upon hire, various options available Telework: Yes, Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81877F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: (1) 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. c. 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. 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. Preferred Experience: Cochlear Implant Certification by VHA Cochlear Implant Advisory Board or equivalent. Minimum of 3 years of independent Cochlear implant experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (a) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. (b) Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. (c) Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. (d) Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. (e) Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (clinical specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G29 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, and most of the duties can be accomplished sitting comfortably, while others require walking, standing, bending, and carrying or moving items, such as carts, notebooks, papers, and books. The work is performed in an office and Medical Center setting. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. The work environment includes everyday low risks, or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Olivia Gregg
• Phone: 407-640-1476
• Email: [email protected]