This is an open and continuous announcement, applicants will be rereferred on weekly basis. The New Jersey VHA is recruiting for a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist). The position is designed to provide assistance to audiologists in meeting clinical needs of patient population served in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Audiology Section. May have to Travel between Lyons Campus and Brick Clinic.

Duties

Major Duties: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. The incumbent is responsible for routine repairs of all hearing aids that may be delivered or mailed to the Audiology clinic. During clinic hours, s/he meets with veterans on a one-to-one basis to solve hearing aid problems. In this capacity, the incumbent provides primary level troubleshooting and repair for veterans who are experiencing hearing aid problems. The ability to succeed in this role requires effective communication with patients who have communication disorders. Services commonly provided by the technician include evaluation of the hearing aid's function and fit, changing of batteries, process removal of stuck batteries, replacing battery doors, cleaning of electrical contacts, removal of impacted cerumen from the hearing aid, replacing ear mold tubing, inspecting and replacing cords, and counseling the veteran in optimal use and proper methods of care for the instruments. Administrative duties may include, but not limited to the following: Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of 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. Local management of the national hearing aid program: The management of stock and custom hearing aids, batteries, assistive listening devices and ear mold orders of on- and off-contract devices are the responsibility of this staff member. All hearing aids and assistive listening devices are accounted for by this employee with an inventory to be reviewed on a regularly determined schedule. Remote Order/Entry System (ROES) entries, errors, certifications, and issues are managed by this staff member in partnership with coworkers. The technician is responsible for tracking hearing aid orders to insure they are received within mandated time frames. When it is determined that a hearing aid order may be delayed, s/he proactively makes appropriate contacts within and outside the Medical Center to ensure that everything is done to avoid a delay in delivery. Hearing/hearing aid evaluations and patient education: As part of the hearing aid fitting the incumbent instructs the patient in the proper use and care, as well as the rights and responsibilities, and safety measures for safe and effective use of the hearing aid and any assistive listening devices that are issued. The incumbent assists in preparing patients for specialized procedures including auditory brainstem testing, to include skin preparation and electrode resistance testing. Data, equipment, environment, supplies and general clinic duties: The incumbent administers satisfaction surveys and performs other data management functions critical to the delivery of audiology services. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring supplies and maintaining an adequate supply of materials to meet the clinic needs. The incumbent arranges for calibration and emergency repair of audiometric equipment The incumbent is responsible for stocking, cleaning, and sanitizing hearing aid evaluation, examination and servicing areas and equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 and PD26958F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Licensure or Registration. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Board Certification. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists.OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas. (1) Exception for Non-Board-Certified Health Technician (HIS) Non-board-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist. Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Audiology), GS-06 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices. Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection). Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests. (3) Assignment. Employees at this level are at the full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level 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); and assisting 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. The Health Technician (HIS) fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds, if necessary. The Health Technician (HIS) provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan and provides counselling including, but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation. The Health Technician (HIS) maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. The Health Technician (HIS) 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. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care. References: VA Handbook 5005/149, Part II Appendix G73 The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06, which is the actual grade at which a candidate may be selected. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements.

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 VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Allysa Getman
• Phone: 680-322-5685
• Email: [email protected]