This position is located in the Audiology Service at the VA Medical Center and/or one of the outpatient clinics. The duties and responsibilities are 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. The incumbent is a staff health technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 audiologist or above. 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). 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). Health Technician Audiology GS 07: 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 the 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. Grade Determinations: Health Technician Audiology GS 07: Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS 06 directly related to the position being filled. This experience includes, but is not limited to: 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. Health Technician Audiology GS 07: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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: Experience with cerumen management Experience in programming hearing aids Experience in educating patients/caregivers re: hearing loss and use of assistive hearing devices Experience in using CPRS, ROES, scheduling package Preferred certificate: Hearing conservation Age, Developmental, & Cultural Needs of Patients: The position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these of patients in the age brackets of 18 years to 65+ years. Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved. References: VA Handbook 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Some duties include, but are not limited to: Greeting and escorting patients. Triaging patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed. Patient set up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures). Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting. Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation. 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. Managing office supplies. Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Scheduling appointments. Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories. Processing ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Responding to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information; Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic. Reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Other duties as assigned. This position is covered by AFGE bargaining unit. Per the AFGE Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be: 1st Area of Consideration - Current Facility and CBOC employees; 2nd Area of Consideration -VA Nationwide Applicants; 3rd Area of Consideration- Other candidates Work Schedule: Full Time. 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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