The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is seeking to recruit two Audiologists. These positions are located within the Audiology Section of Specialty Services at the Wyoming VA Clinic and the Muskegon VA Clinic. The roles and responsibilities encompass the entire healthcare system, including all clinical and patient care areas related to the service, as well as potential future sites of care not specifically listed.
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). 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 Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.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 USDE. 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. Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist. (a) Non-Licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (b) Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level. (c) Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment 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: Audiologist, GS-11. (1) Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. (c) Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals Audiologist, GS-12. (1) Experience. In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light carrying (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Working closely with others.
The duties and responsibilities are carried out through the healthcare system including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service including future sites of care not specifically listed. The incumbent is assigned to a primary duty station but may cover clinic at other sites in accordance with facility policy, based on the needs of the clinic. Sites of care including, but not limited to: Benton Harbor VA Clinic, Lansing VA Clinic, Muskegon VA Clinic, Wyoming VA Clinic and Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The audiologist at the full performance level plans, conducts and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders. The incumbent at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. The incumbent is an independent licensed practitioner and is considered to be at the full performance level. The incumbent operates under clinical privileges. The audiologist at this level conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice, including Telehealth. Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services, including the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their family. The incumbent is responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions; including, but not limited to, the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids and associated technology; programming of digital hearing aids and associated technology; issuance of hearing protection devices for the prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment; selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers; telephone amplifiers, radio and TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems, and inspection, modification, and repair of amplification devices and ear molds. Incumbent plans, conducts, and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation, tinnitus and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients; designs patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning; and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure. Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is recognized as a subject matter expert on matters relating to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Incumbent will be responsible for supervising, evaluating, mentoring, and precepting student trainees in audiology and maintained a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities. He/she may also provide instructions to residents and interns who seek information in relation to audiology. Incumbent will complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy and is responsible for proper use, cleaning, and documentation of pertinent reusable medical equipment in accordance with medical center policies. The incumbent will remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions. The incumbent may perform ancillary work assignments, including other program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Telework: Available, limited to ad-hoc telework agreement. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:96667-0, 93666-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.