This position is located in the Audiology Service with the Columbia VA Health Care System located in Anderson, SC. The duties and responsibilities are 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.

Duties

The Audiology Health Technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology and works 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. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Triaging patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed. Patient set up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures). 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. 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. Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids. Manage office supplies. Track loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Verify orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Schedule appointments. Package and ship hearing aids and accessories. Process ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Respond to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assist patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Manage infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Clean and disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic. Reprocess reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Performs other duties as assigned by leadership. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50744 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States 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, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. HTA, GS-7 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 (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTAs. Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials. Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. Preferred Experience: Currently working for Audiology and Speech Pathology section and holds Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) certification. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70, Health Technician (Audiology) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07 Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Kellye Davis
• Phone: 334-590-6937
• Email: [email protected]