OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Duties

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories, as well as, alerting devices (troubleshoots performance), registering, certifying, and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices) Assists in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment. Fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds, if necessary provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan. Provides patient counselling including, but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation. Maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of Repairable Medical Equipment (RME) and consumable items, ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks, prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. Assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth ® pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories. Guides patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 667-0048-F, 667-00251-F, 667-00252-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: 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. 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: GS-04: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. This is an entry level developmental position. GS-05: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: 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. Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, KSA's: 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. GS-06: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: 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. Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, KSA's: 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. Preferred Experience: Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II, Appendix G -70 Health Technician (Audiology) Qualification Standard. 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: Physical Demands: 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 shoulders. Patient transport occasionally requires pushing of wheelchairs. Rapid mental, muscular, and fine motor coordination simultaneously is required. Ability to distinguish basic colors and long periods of reading from a monitor or computer screen (up to 8 hours). Ability to hear (hearing aid permitted). Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment requires the incumbent to handle several tasks at once. Stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental, and psychosocial problems and needs.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Theresa Morehart
• Phone: 501-522-4386
• Email: [email protected]