This Health Technician (Audiology) position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Line (PMRS) at the VA Hampton Medical Center at the Chesapeake, Virginia CBOC Location. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.

Duties

The position combines direct patient care activities with support functions for the Audiology staff. The support functions are characterized by both clinical and administrative duties. Primary responsibility is for personal patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient teaching which does not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. The performance of these tasks involves direct work relationships with patients and participation as a member of the treatment care time in direct service to patients. Other duties may include, but are not limited to: Greeting and escorting patients. Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting. Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation. Non-diagnostic otoscopy. Cerumen management. Taking earmold impressions. Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers. Performing listening checks on hearing aids. Electroacoustic analysis of devices. Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology. Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids. Activating remote controls. Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via Remote Order Entry System (ROES). Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Scheduling appointments. Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories. Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic. Reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Grade Determinations: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. English Language Proficiency: HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Audiology), GS-06: Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 directly related to the position being filled. AND 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70; dated May 13, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Physical requirements for this position are as follows: Light lifting, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier lifting; Light carrying, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier carrying; Straight pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Repeated bending; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Ability to wear Personal Protective equipment (PPE) as needed.

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 Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Lydia Pharr
• Phone: (910)920-8709
• Email: [email protected]