The audiologist at this level conducts audiological assessment to determine a patient's need for amplification, predict effectiveness of amplification, determine need for and type of aural rehabilitation and counseling of the hearing impaired veteran and their family. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center, including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service and CBOCs.

Duties

FUNCTIONS ASSESSES THE DEGREE & NATURE OF HEARING LOSS: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals. Administers the full range of tests including the testing of vestibular nerve function; evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who are normally unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics. RECOMMENDS REMEDIAL MEASURES TO MITIGATE HEARING LOSS: The audiologist is responsible for direct services of a remedial and sometimes preventative nature. The services encompass the following: use of hearing aids; the selection of monaural, binaural or cross hearing aids or particular type; the issuance of ear defenders for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment; recommendations for special ear molds made necessary because of allergic reactions, severe hearing loss or other reasons; recommendations for procurement of special instruments such as desk amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems; routine hearing aid inspection and repair where indicated. Develops treatment plans for most difficult and complex cases. Recommends aural rehabilitation programs for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions. Designs training plans to assist patient and caregivers in utilizing available hearing resources. Sometimes makes a recommendation for change of job in those cases where hearing loss is progressing due to high noise level exposure. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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. 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. 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. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure, which may also result in separation from employment. English Language Proficiency. Audiologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. GS-12 Licensure. The incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/38 Part II Appendix G29 Audiologist Qualification Standard GS-665 Veterans Health Administration September 22, 2022. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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.

Accreditation Information:(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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by CAA and/or ASHA at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACAE and/or ASHA website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Carl Vinson VA Medical Center 1826 Veterans Boulevard Dublin, GA 31021 US
• Name: James Brinson
• Email: [email protected]