This position is in the Audiology section of Geriatrics, Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service (GREC), at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, in Spokane, Washington. Duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The Health Technician supports the function of all clinical programs in Audiology. The incumbent is a staff Health Technician (Audiology) under the supervision of the Audiology supervisor.

Duties

Primary responsibility is patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. The duties listed are GS-6 Full Performance Level, GS-4 and GS-5 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. Direct patient care duties may include the following: Greet and escort patients. Patient instruction and counseling on hearing aids; non-diagnostic otoscopy; cerumen management; take earmold impressions; hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; provide basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers; perform listening checks on hearing aids; electroacoustic analysis of devices; pair hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; program previously stored settings into hearing aids; activate remote controls. Complete routine repairs of hearing aids delivered or mailed to the Audiology Clinic. Meet with Veterans on a one-to-one basis to solve hearing aid problems. Troubleshoot, evaluate, and repair hearing aid's function and fit; change batteries; replace battery doors; clean electrical contacts; remove impacted cerumen from the hearing aid; replace ear mold tubing; inspect and replace cords and extraction handles; and counsel the Veteran in optimal use and proper methods of care for the instrument. Make minor hearing aid shell and internal/external component repairs. Properly document all interactions in the medical record in the form of clinical progress notes. Independently check and reset fitting parameters of repaired programmable hearing aids returned from the manufacturer using the previously stored prescriptive settings saved in the NOAH hearing aid computer data base. Dispense repaired items to the patient by calling them to pick up the device(s), or process and mail them to the patient if requested. Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical record and correctly document all encounters using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. Stock and order clinical supplies for the Audiology hearing aid repair clinic, under the supervision of the Clinic Supervisor. This includes inventory in the patient care rooms, hearing aid repair lab, and for cerumen removal procedures. Maintain, clean, disinfect, and sterilize instruments, equipment, and worksurfaces for the Audiology Clinic. Serves as a resource to the Audiology staff in clinical Infection Control practices and instruct staff as needed. Administrative duties may include the following: Manage office supplies; electronic ordering, verify orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and work correctly; package and mail hearing aids and accessories; process ROES transactions (e.g. certify and issue hearing aids, enter orders and repairs); respond to routine inquiries from patients, determine the nature of hearing aid inquiry and respond to administrative questions; assist patients, visitors, and others who request information; follow facility infection control policies, ensure patient safety, restock clinical supplies for the audiology clinic; and process reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Perform other ancillary assignments, at the instruction of the clinic supervisor as needed. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 7:30am to 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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). Experience and Education. (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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. English Language Proficiency. HTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. HTA, GS-04 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. This is an entry level developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system 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; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. HTA, GS-05 (1) Experience. One year 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 (2) Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. AND (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. (b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. (c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. (d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. (e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. (f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. (4) Assignment. This is a developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to answering and screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs; assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment; assisting with walk-in appointments; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; and preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of RME. The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system 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; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. HTA, GS-06 (1) Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. AND (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. (b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. (c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. (d) 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. (e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures. (3) Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level HTA. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology; repairing or returning hearing aids to the factory; restoring hearing aid or hearing assistive technology settings after repair or replacement; and ordering, registering, certifying, issuing and tracking prosthetic devices. The health technician assists in setting up and delivering face to face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures. The health technician provides clinical procedures consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care which may include non-diagnostic otoscopy, cerumen management, foreign body removal and ear mold impressions and without interpretation, immittance screening and hearing screening. The health technician educates patients, family and staff on topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation, hearing conservation and realistic expectations for hearing aid use. The health technician completes documentation for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist. References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II, Appendix G70, May 13, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (1-2 hours); standing (3-4 hours); and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: If basing your qualifications on education, you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. You do not need to submit an official copy; however, your submitted transcript must include your name, name of school, name of program, total credits completed, date degree/certificate conferred. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore, the copy you submit must be legible.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]