Audiology and Speech Pathology Duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center and its satellite clinics including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. Staff audiologist, under direct supervision of the ASPS Service Chief with special clinic program responsibilities for the medical center's Advanced Tinnitus Management Program with administrative responsibility over this program.

Duties

Responsibility for the Advanced Tinnitus Management Program involves evidence-based program development and determination of the need for modifications to enhance the program's effectiveness. Implementation and administration of the program includes direct patient care, telehealth, student supervision, and collaboration with the associate services of otology, psychiatry, psychology, social work, neurology, primary care, and speech pathology. Service as the subject matter expert for tinnitus for the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service (ASPS), and dedicates clinical time to the program. Responsibilities include providing updates to the ASPS regarding activities in the program. Develops and maintains a library of materials for patient education on the theory and treatment of tinnitus for clinic use. Understands and incorporates the principles and practices of the NCRAR program of Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) practices into ongoing clinical services per the needs of the veteran: Rocky Mountain Network Human Resources. a. Hearing evaluation and history specific to the complaint of tinnitus. b. Administration and interpretation of tinnitus questionnaires (i.e., THI, THS, TRQ, TFI, SMRT, etc.) for determination of perceived tinnitus handicap and candidacy for referral to tinnitus education and management services. c. Provision of individual and/or group tinnitus management classes utilizing PTM in face-to-face settings and via telehealth. d. Assessment, selection, fitting and verification of ear level amplification and/or sound generator devices for tinnitus management. e. Provision of environmental sound generator devices as well as use of tinnitus Bluetooth streaming applications. f. Outcome measures and subsequent follow-up for Level 4 and 5 PTM services. g. Tinnitus evaluations including tinnitus matching, masking, and residual inhibition as necessary. Maintains and updates a stock of specialized tinnitus management devices for trial when amplification and/or sound generator devices are ineffective or rejected. Articulates and communicates the rationale, goals, management options, objectives, and focused initiatives to associate staff. Guides team members on work methods, practices, and procedures. Coordinates the non-medical aspects of the multidisciplinary approach through an ongoing working relationship with Psychology within the Salt Lake City VAMC for provision of PTM services in accordance with NCRAR recommendations in addition to maintaining working relationships with Prosthetics (PSAS) for acquisition of tinnitus management devices and Otolaryngology (ENT) for tinnitus patients in need of medical management. Provides support including continuing education services to clinical audiology peers within the Salt Lake City VAMC, Researches and participates in the training of any new types of devices that come available with a strong research background to use as potential tinnitus devices. Mentors Au.D. students in the provision of tinnitus management services for patients. Facilitates communication with tinnitus patients who have questions, problems, or malfunctioning devices by maintaining a dedicated Audiology phone line and VA's Secure Messaging system. Audiologist at this level conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Audiology services include comprehensive hearing testing, hearing aid prescription and management. Services may be provided in a face-to-face setting and / or via telehealth for Tinnitus. Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation.. Responsible to conduct interviews with the patients and appropriate family members or friends; and to select, administer and interpret the diagnostic test results necessary to detect and evaluate the presence of a hearing disorder. Assessing patient conditions from examination, observation and consultation with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team. Utilizing all diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary audiology practice. Developing an appropriate plan of care and delivering treatment as designed and consistent with principles of evidence-based practice. Documenting evaluation and treatment actions and outcomes in appropriate formats in a timely manner, in accordance with facility policy, and completing all related administrative tasks. Reporting the findings to Veterans and their families, and to professional colleagues. Maintaining supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51512-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. (1) Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at 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 U.S. Department of Education. 2 NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology. 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. (1) The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. (2) All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85. Grade Determinations: Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), 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 GS-12. ( 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-12) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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 VA Salt Lake City Health Care System 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]