This position is assigned to the Audiology Service at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, Biloxi MS. The duties and responsibilities are to be 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

Duties include but not limited to: 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 Remote Order Entry System (ROES) Performs non-diagnostic otoscopic examination on patients, evaluate hearing aid function and fit, clean and change earmold or hearing aid tubing/receiver and filter, clean and adjust the battery contacts, remove impacted cerumen from the hearing aid Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation Taking earmold impressions; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair for the veteran Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers Pair hearing aids post repair, download appropriate hearing aid app and pair the hearing aids with veterans' smart phone, instruct veteran how to use the hearing aid app on their smart phone and proper hearing aid care Refers patient to the audiologist for additional counseling, recommendations or re-evaluation if needed Answers and triages patient phone calls and elevates patient's issues to audiologist's attention when necessary Coordinates with the scheduling staff for return appointment for the veteran. Prepares all necessary paperwork and shipping label, packages the hearing aid for shipment and records the shipment and the tracking number Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 520-00707-F, 520-00708-F, 520-00709-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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. HTA, candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician Audiology, GS-04: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician Audiology, GS-05: Experience. 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 Education. Successful completion of 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. (b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. (c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. (d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. (e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. (f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. (NOTE: KSAs must be demonstrated in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified at this grade level) Health Technician Audiology, GS-06: 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. (b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. (c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. (d) 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. (e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures. (NOTE: KSAs must be demonstrated in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified at this grade level) Preferred Experience: Have a strong knowledge of skills in working with audiology-related tools and materials. Have a strong ability to provide patient education and direction on the removal, placement, cleaning, repair and physical modification of prosthetic devices. Have an understanding of normal and disordered auditory anatomy, physiology and external ear tissue characteristics. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require periods of sitting, standing, walking, repeated bending (both legs required), light lifting / carrying (15-20 pounds) occasionally, the use of fingers (both hands required), and reaching above the shoulder area. Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Rapid mental, muscular, and fine motor coordination simultaneously is required. Ability to distinguish basic colors, shades of colors and periods of long periods of reading from a monitor or computer screen (up to 8 hours). Ability to hear (hearing aid permitted)

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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Keewanda Smith
• Phone: (228) 523-8415
• Email: [email protected]