Incumbent serves as a Lead Health Technician for the Audiology section of the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) of the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics. This position combines patient care activities with technical support functions for the staff audiologists. These support functions are comprised of both clinical and administrative duties. Incumbent will deal directly with Veterans in a variety of ways and settings.

Duties

Assisting audiologist with patient assessment and treatment, which may include rooming the patient, history taking, non-diagnostic otoscopy and preparing the patient for routine tests. Cleaning hearing aids, their accessories, or assistive listening devices, and change any routine maintenance parts as needed. Preparing hearing aids, their accessories, or assistive listening devices for shipment, including proper documentation in the Remote Order Entry Systems (ROES). Maintaining hearing aid loaner inventory, including tracking in the ROES system. Maintaining assigned levels of hearing aid repair parts, and re-order as needed. Monitoring clinic stock, including ordering items. Entering notes into electronic health records in accordance with the facility guidelines and VHA requirements. Checking and using other standard software programs, to include word documentation programs, messaging programs, and email. Answering calls regarding hearing aid issues, knowing when to transfer to the call to the triage audiologist. Restoring hearing aid setting after repair or replacement. Completing earmold impressions as needed for hearing aid orders, re-orders, earmold order, or earmold re-orders. Educating patients and caregivers on the care of hearing aids, their accessories, and assistive listening devices. Making work assignments, communicating station rotations to Health Technician (Audio), and monitor workflow of technicians. Monitoring patient and waiting room flow, overall clinic flow, assuring safety and infection control concerns are taken into consideration. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Lead Health Technician (Audiology)/PD913980 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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. 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 including completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care; preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials; and, collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff.; 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: Refer to VA Handbook 5019 and additional details outlined below. 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). 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). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-8 grade level, you must have successfully completed of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Examples include the following: completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care; preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials; collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff; and mentoring and training new staff/employees. In addition to the experience listed above, you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of organization theory and leadership theory. Ability to apply principles of leadership during interactions with staff. Ability to identify problems in clinic operations, consider possible solutions and implement actions approved by supervisor. Skill in communicating programmatic decisions to staff. Preferred Experience: Not applicable References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II, Appendix G70. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-8 grade level. Physical Requirements: The work requires a combination of sitting, walking and bending over, consistent with patient care. There will be some carrying of light to moderate items. The need to push wheelchairs and transfer patients is not frequent but will be required.

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 Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 West Tenth Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 US
• Name: Eileen Archer
• Phone: 463-867-6722
• Email: [email protected]