This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System located at the Jamaica Plains, MA campus and the position is full time at 40 hours per week.
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. English Language Proficiency: HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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 least12 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. Certification: Not required at the GS-07 level. Grandfathering Provision: 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 6 Health Technician Audiology: 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. (2) 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. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures Grade Determinations: GS-07 Health Technician Audiology: In addition to the basic requirements for this occupation you must meet the experience and all of the KSA's below to be found qualified at the GS-07 level. Experience: Completion of one full year ( 52 weeks ) of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06 directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTAs. Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials. Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. Preferred Experience: Audiology Health Technician or Audiology Assistant. References: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: use of fingers and manipulation of small items , good dexterity (both hands required); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and read small numbers from hearing devices, ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability.
Direct patient care duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Greeting and escorting patients; Triaging patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed; Patient set up for advanced diagnostic procedures (e.g., vestibular, neuro diagnostic procedures (evoked potentials), telehealth procedures); Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; 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; completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care; collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff such as hearing loss prevention and aural rehabilitation (maximizing amplification outcomes and communication strategies for patients with hearing deficits). Other duties may include, but are not limited to: Incumbent plans, coordinates and implements the audiologic rehabilitation one-to-one and group focused programs for the Audiology service under the direction and supervision of a licensed audiologist. Properly utilizes an otoscope in performance of non-diagnostic otoscopy; Demonstrates knowledge of the basic anatomy of the external ear and external auditory canal; ability to observe the difference between normal and abnormal; Possesses basic knowledge of instruments used in tests and procedures; Possesses basic knowledge in electronics required to troubleshoot hearing aids and assistive listening devices; Demonstrates knowledge and experience in appropriate handling, troubleshooting and modification of hearing aids Adapts procedure to accomplish care where guidelines of the position do not apply. Performs impressions of the ear and invasive procedures such as cerumen management when necessary and assesses appropriateness in physical fit of technology. Possesses ability to independently provide in-depth training, handle complexity and a range of variety in education and instruction to patients and family members in a one-to-one or group setting under the direction of a supervising audiologist to optimize rehabilitative and health outcomes and establish realistic expectations for patients utilizing amplification, assistive listening devices and accessories. Incumbent teaches patients and family members on proper health care strategies including use, care, and maintenance of amplification devices and accessories; proper ear hygiene; and demonstrates alerting and assistive listening devices. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Title/Functional Statement #:Health Technician (Audiology)/PDF03294 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Notifications: This is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Current federal employees may submit copies of their most recent non-award SF50 (notice of personnel action). The SF50 must identify the position, title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. The incumbent may be required to travel to other Boston VA campuses and CBOC's. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Incomplete applications will not be considered.