Job Summary

The incumbent will serve as the Health Technician (HIS) for Audiology and Speech Pathology Service located at the Charlie Norwood VAMC in Augusta, GA. The Audiology Health Technician position is designed to provide assistance to the audiologists in meeting the clinical needs of the patient population served in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at both Augusta campuses.

Job Description

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: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION. (1) Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas. NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements. LICENSURE OR REGISTRATION. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Note: Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. BOARD CERTIFICATION. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS).(a) Non-board-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).(b) Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.(c) Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.(d) Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification, including the time (i.e., two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: GS-05 EXPERIENCE. None beyond the basic requirements, In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck. b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing. d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing. e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. GS-06 EXPERIENCE: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Duties include but not limited to: Makes routine repairs of all hearing aids delivered or mailed to the Audiology clinic; During clinic hours, meets with veterans on a one- to-one basis to solve hearing aid problems; Provides primary level troubleshooting and repair for veterans who are experiencing hearing aid problems; Effectively communicate with patients who have communication disorders and to triage and communicate services that require attention by the audiologist; Returns hearing aids to a VA contract manufacturer for repair, the incumbent prepares the necessary paperwork and the hearing aid for shipment and makes appropriate entries in the clinic's record tracking system and the hearing aid is returned, the technician verifies operability and will mail the hearing aid or schedules the veteran for an appointment, as appropriate; and Manages stock and custom hearing aids, batteries, assistive listening devices and earmold orders of on- and off-contract devices are the responsibility of this staff member. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. b) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices. d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection). e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations. f) Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. g) Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures. h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests. Reference: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service and VA Handbook 5005/149 Part II Appendix G73, Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist Qualification Standard. 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 GS-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending and standing. Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a CRT of one-to-four hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families; the incumbent must possess the skills to work with a wide range of physically challenged veterans and their significant others who may be medically, physically, psychiatrically or emotionally impaired and displaying a non-compliant attitude.