The audiologist works under the supervision of the Audiology Supervisor. The Audiologist has full professional responsibility over facilitating the conservation of auditory system function, developing, and implanting environmental and occupational hearing conservation programs; screening, identifying, assessing, and interpreting, diagnosing, preventing, and rehabilitating peripheral and central auditory system dysfunction in adult and geriatric patients of a difficult and complex nature.

Duties

Knowledge of techniques and neurological and electrophysiological principles associated with site of lesion testing and ability to perform, evaluate, and interpret site of lesion, special auditory and vestibular tests, and electrophysiological tests including complex speech tasks, electrocochleography, auditory brainstem response, middle latency response, electronystagmography, acoustic imminence, and otoacoustic emissions. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the needs of all veteran patients, from young adult through the late geriatric development stages. Identifies the communicative, physical, psychological, and cognitive needs of veterans. Modifies test procedures appropriate to the communicative, physical, psychological, and cognitive status of patients. Counsels patients on the important of hearing loss prevention and regular medical care. Discusses the communicative implications of progressive hearing loss, loss of speech recognition, balance problems and diseases of middle age. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and assess adult and geriatric patients with complex audiological or vestibular disorders, multiple physical or mental handicaps or who present inconsistent or exaggerated responses that may hamper diagnostic testing, treatment, and rehabilitation. Demonstrates ability to counsel and to educate patients on the meaning of diagnostic results, the impact of hearing and balance disorders, rehabilitative options, and compensatory strategies in complex or difficult cases appropriate to the patient's age and overall communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychological status. Demonstrates ability to formulate, plan, provide, and evaluate the clinical outcomes of a comprehensive program of auditory rehabilitation including strategies for optimizing remaining hearing, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices appropriate to the needs of the patient and the patient's age and overall communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychological status. Demonstrates ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers to develop and to maintain an effective, coordinated program of treatment and rehabilitation appropriate to the needs of the patient and the patient's age and overall communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychological status. Demonstrates ability to communicate orally and in writing. Demonstrates ability to formulate, plan, provide, and evaluate the clinical outcomes of a comprehensive program of auditory rehabilitation including strategies for optimizing remaining hearing, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices appropriate to the needs of the patient and the patient's age and overall communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychological status. Demonstrates ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers to develop and to maintain an effective, coordinated program of treatment and rehabilitation appropriate to the needs of the patient and the patient's age and overall communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychological status. Demonstrates ability to communicate orally and in writing. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 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. 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. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified. Audiologist, GS-11. (1) Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. (c) Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals. Audiologist, 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. Preferred Experience: Education: AuD; experience in hearing evaluations, hearing aids and cochlear implants. References: VA Handbook 5005/38 Part II Appendix G29 Audiologist Qualification Standard GS-665 Veterans Health Administration September 22, 2022. Physical Requirements: This work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of items. Physical effort and ability to perform repetitive motions with arms and requires good balance to prevent falling when assisting patients with an activity. See VA Directive and 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Education: AuD; experience in hearing evaluations, hearing aids and cochlear implants. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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/.

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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Lorraine Johnson
• Phone: 9183519697
• Email: [email protected]