The Geriatric and Healthy Aging Clinical Specialist is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The Audiologist (Geriatric and Healthy Aging Specialist) has special clinical program responsibilities as an expert in hearing and aging and cognition. As such, the incumbent serves as a subject matter expert, providing clinical guidance and consultation to colleagues and students within the service as well as other services within VA GLA.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive evaluations, develops individualize rehabilitation plans, and works collaboratively with other geriatric specialists. Provides leadership and directs oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the VA GLA Geriatric and Healthy Aging Audiology Program. Responsible for managing the program and guiding the strategic planning in the area of hearing loss, aging, and cognitive decline. Serves as subject matter expert to the clinical staff, implements evidence-based clinical protocols, and works with the audiology supervisor to coordinate clinical services. Facilitates for an interdisciplinary team and is responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. Clinical Responsibilities: Provides evidence-based clinical care and suggests methods of implementing changes determined necessary by evidence-based practice. Promotes and participates in new research in hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Promotes VA GLA HCS's recognition as a Age-Friendly Health System and seeks and maintains induvial recognition for Audiology & Speech Pathology Service Provides comprehensive audiologic evaluations with a specialized protocol designed for the aging Veteran. Performs cognitive screens, makes appropriate diagnoses, and develops multi-pronged individualized intervention plans in line with the veteran's goals ("what matters") Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others Makes appropriate referrals to other professionals including neurology, neuropsychology, primary care, geriatrics. Serves as a resource to professional staff concerning the evaluation and management of veterans with hearing loss and cognitive decline Develops and refines diagnostic and intervention protocol for geriatric veterans receiving care in the audiology clinic. Assumes complete professional responsibility for their clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Coordinates all Geriatric and Healthy Aging continuing education for staff audiologists and residents Facilitates all relevant equipment and testing material updates throughout VA GLA Audiology Serves as a subject matter expert on VA GLA HCS interdisciplinary teams related to hearing loss and aging and cognition. Serves as a subject matter expert on VA GLA HCS interdisciplinary Dementia Committee Oversees all specialized geriatric audiologic care provided throughout VA GLA HCS Serves as POC for hearing loss and aging related issues via Secure Messaging within the Audiology Clinics. Manages outcome data collection and reports. Monitors evaluation consult timelines. Work Schedule: M-F, 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: At Manager's Discretion Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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. Grandfathering 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: GS-13 Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year 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: (a) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. (b) Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. (c) Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. (d) Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. (e) Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G29, AUDIOLOGIST GS-0665 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must have the ability to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged periods. There must also be a high degree of eye-hand coordination when working with the small components associated with hearing aids and earmolds. Ability to assist or lift a patient may also be required occasionally.

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 Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90073 US
• Name: Marie Clay
• Phone: 216-201-0922
• Email: [email protected]