This position is in the Audiology Section of the Rehabilitation Care Service Line at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service at both Seattle and American Lake campuses. The audiologist plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders.

Duties

This position is split between the Seattle and American Lake Campus, the Audiologist will work out of both locations. The audiologist must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. Principle duties and responsibilities include: Plan, coordinate, and conduct all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services, including selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their family. Identify and evaluate individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language, and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administer the full range of tests including testing of vestibular nerve function; evaluate the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics; perform cerumen management; provide initial assessment for cochlear implant and vestibular referral. Responsible to plan, deliver, and monitor the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions; including select and fit of all types of hearing aids; program digital hearing aids; issue hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment; select and fit assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems; and inspect, modify, and repair amplification devices and ear molds. Plan, coordinate, and conduct auditory (aural) rehabilitation, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients; design patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning; and design, monitor, and conduct a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure. Serve as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Supervise, evaluate, mentor, and precept student trainees in audiology and maintain a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities. Provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information in relation to audiology. Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy. Communication is required by this position, the incumbent is expected to attend regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate; review policies and procedures, and attend in-service training. Responsible for proper maintenance and calibration of specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation. Participate in research activities pertinent to clinical audiology. Although limited research is conducted in the clinical setting, the use of carefully executed audiologic procedures may be a part of a research design. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial. Work Schedule: Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri, 6:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. 1. 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). 2. 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. 3. 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. Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office may waive the requirement for licensure under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 of a candidate who will be assigned to a research, academic or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure, which may also result in separation from employment. 4. English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. Audiologist, GS-11. 1. Education. None beyond the basic requirements. 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. (c) Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals. Audiologist, GS-12. 1. 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 is required. 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders. (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. 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). References. VA Handbook 5005/152, Part II, Appendix G29, September 22, 2022. 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. The work involves light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the required degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred, and degree type.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]