Job Summary

The Health Technician Audiology (HTA) works under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. This position is located within the Audiology Service of the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.

Job Description

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/02/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 07/16/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**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 by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Experience and/or 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 he 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs 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). Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on 05/13/2021 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Entry level developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment & treatment. Adheres to the audiology clinic policy & standard operating procedures for infection control & cleaning, sterilization & disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). Maintains a comprehensive supply & equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME & consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies & equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing/shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid & hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders & return for credit items; & maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-5 Experience or Education: Must have one year of experience comparable to the GS-4 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills & abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Successfully completed 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. GS-5 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. Assignment. Developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments include, but are not limited to answering & screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs; assisting the audiologist with patient assessment & treatment; assisting with walk-in appointments; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing & charging (if required) hearing aids & assistive devices for delivery. Adheres to the audiology clinic policy & standard operating procedures for infection control & cleaning, sterilization & disposition of RME. Maintains a comprehensive supply & equipment tracking system to include: monitoring stock of RME & consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies & equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing/shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid & hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders & return for credit items; & maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-6 Experience: Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level directly related to the position being filled. GS-6 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): 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. Ability to document and code patient procedures. 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of tGS-4 to . GS-6. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of work require light lifting/carrying under 50 lbs.; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking; standing; hearing aid permitted; mental & emotional stability; working around machinery. Prolonged sitting and/or standing (6-8 hours) and the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs.