The Audiologist will report to the Audiology and Speech Pathology service at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, LA.

Duties

The Audiologist is responsible for the full range of professional audiology services with emphasis on the more complex evaluative and diagnostic cases. Responsible for case mix such that at least half of the patients seen by the incumbent for audiological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment present with physical and/or emotional problems in addition to hearing impairment and characteristics of those patients seen by the incumbent might include: psychological and emotional disturbances resulting from schizophrenia, dementia, organic brain syndrome, physical limitations such as blindness and paralysis, other CNS disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, speech and language disorders such as dysarthria, receptive and expressive aphasia, dysphagia and the broad spectrum of problems found in the geriatric population. Duties include but not limited to: Measures hearing sensitivity using routine and special tests. Writes reports that interpret results and provides them regarding their hearing loss and their options for rehabilitation. Discusses results with veterans and counsels them regarding their hearing loss and their options for rehabilitation. Discusses results with referring physician and/or other hospital staff and explains implications of test results when necessary. Performs hearing aid evaluations on eligible veterans. Selects hearing aids to be used for evaluation, follows standard procedures to determine adequacy of hearing aid fitting, determines which aid is to be issued to veteran, counsels veterans regarding use and maintenance of hearing aids. Administers, interprets and supervises the administration of electrophysiology examinations such as electronystagmography and auditory evoked response tests. Discusses with and explains results to the veteran and the physician or referral source as appropriate. Plans, conducts, and coordinates tinnitus programs for patients using current practices. Design patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning Provides aural rehabilitation services to eligible veterans. Teaches communication strategies to veterans, family members and care givers. For veterans with hearing aids, provides hearing aid or orientation which may include, but is not restricted to, auditory training, teaching lip reading fundamentals, teaching placement of earmold in ear, and teaching use and care of the hearing aid. Aural rehabilitation counseling may be provided to family members or significant others if indicated. Counsels veterans regarding their hearing loss and the options available for rehabilitation. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available - Adhoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00058-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. NOTE: This applies to current/past/upcoming VHA HPTs only. An HPT is an individual appointed to a temporary position in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC). 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. Education. (1) 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 (2) 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. 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. 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). Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Grade Determinations: Audiologist, GS-12 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations Preferred Experience. Hearing aid evaluation and fitting; Evaluation and management of dizziness; Evaluation and management of tinnitus; References: VA Handbook 5005/152 September 22, 2022 Part II Appendix G29 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

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 Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Rebecca Montgomery
• Phone: (281) 536-7730
• Email: [email protected]