Audiologist

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

Education: Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

OR, Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

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: 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). English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Audiologist Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders.

Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.

Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals.

GS-12 Audiologist 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, GS-11.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.

Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.

Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals.

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/.

Audiologist Qualification Standard 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Incumbent will be required to complete a driving physical. Major Duties:

Performs advanced professional duties requiring mastery of audiologic theory, contemporary clinical practice, and complex patient management.

independently conducts comprehensive audiologic evaluations for adult and geriatric Veterans presenting with routine to highly complex medical, neurological, and psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, schizophrenia, chemical dependency, and ventilator dependence.

Administers, interprets, and documents a full range of diagnostic audiologic procedures, including pure-tone and speech audiometry, immittance testing, auditory brainstem response (ABR), and ENG/VNG testing.

Clinical findings are integrated into individualized treatment plans, referrals, and recommendations, with complete documentation entered into the electronic medical record in compliance with VA policies and directives.

Manages and oversees the hearing aid program, including assessment of amplification needs, determination of patient eligibility, selection and fitting of appropriate hearing aid technology, programming and verification, patient education, troubleshooting, distribution of hearing aid accessories, and coordination of repairs and earmold services.

Coordinates hearing aid services with the National Hearing Aid Program and the Denver Logistics Center and ensures adherence to national guidelines.

Leads and delivers aural rehabilitation services, including assessment and treatment planning for communication disorders, speechreading, tinnitus management, vestibular rehabilitation, and effective hearing aid use.

integrates aural rehabilitation into the plan of care, determines readiness for discharge, and ensures continuity of services.

Counsels Veterans and their families regarding hearing loss, functional impact, treatment options, and realistic outcomes, in accordance with privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to support diagnostic clarification and coordinated treatment planning.

Provides clinical supervision, instruction, and mentorship to audiology students, trainees, and other learners.

Develops training plans, integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical application, and reviews, countersigns, and assumes accountability for clinical documentation completed by supervised trainees.

Participates in hearing conservation programs, assisting with acoustical assessments, conducting annual employee audiometric testing, identifying occupational noise risks, and providing in-service education and counseling.

Provides education to healthcare staff on normal and disordered hearing, contributing to quality assurance initiatives, tracking productivity and workload data.

May be required to travel occasionally, which would require the incumbent to drive a government owned vehicle to travel for technical or professional training and to support remote healthcare system sites, as needed and/or directed by management.

Work Schedule: 0730-1600 Monday-Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact vhavisn23edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized