Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 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; Non-diagnostic otoscopy; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers; Performing listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices; Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; Activating remote controls; Provide clinical coverage within scope for audiology technician leave to include on site and/or remote coverage for main facility or Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The incumbent is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via internal VA Remote Order Entry System (ROES). Managing office supplies; tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory; electronic ordering with oversite by audiologist, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly; packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories; processing ROES transactions (e.g. entering orders and repairs for signature by audiologist); checks incoming new hearing aids for accuracy of the order and communicates any inaccuracies to the audiologist to include both on-site and Tele-audiology appointments; 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 to include telehealth and CBOCs; 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; other administrative duties as assigned by the Audiologist or Chief, Sensory & Rehabilitation Service, as it relates to performance of the Sensory & Rehabilitation Service level performance measures; contribute to initiatives for service level performance improvement. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: 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. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a health technician in the health care field; OR 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 Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. NOTE: You must include a copy of your transcripts if basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Certification: None required Physical Requirements: Outlined below. 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). Grandfathering Provision: 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) 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: To qualify for the GS-4 grade level, you must meet the basic experience and/or education requirements of having 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. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a health technician in the health care field; OR Have successfully completed two academic years above high school leading to an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position; OR Have a combination of both experience and education. To qualify for the GS-5 grade level, you must have 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 Have successfully completed 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. OR Have a combination of both experience and education. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, you must fully demonstrate the following Knowledge, skills, and abilities (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. To qualify for the GS-6 grade level, you must have one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience listed above, you 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. 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 Incumbent must have dexterity & agility to handle fragile hearing aids and microscopic instruments. The work is at times sedentary; and ambulation between various examination/treatment rooms is also required. The work requires some physical exertion such as lifting and assisting wheelchair patients. The work area is pleasant but at times noisy due to the volume of waiting patients and need to speak with those who are hard of hearing.

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 Aleda E Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1500 Weiss Street Saginaw, MI 48602 US
• Name: Ryan Harrison
• Phone: 813-699-2311
• Email: [email protected]