Health Technician (Audiology)

Full Job Description

Employee is a staff Health Technician (Audiology) (HTA) under the general supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above.

This position is located with the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozark encompassing part of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

The HTA may be assigned to any of the facilities under the Veteran's Health Care System of the Ozarks. This position will be stationed at Jay Oklahoma and Fayetteville Arkansas.

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, candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Experience and 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 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician Audiology, GS-04: Experience.

None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician Audiology, GS-05: Experience.

One year 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 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities.

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 Health Technician Audiology, GS-06: Experience.

Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

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.

Preferred Experience: Self-aware and manage emotion during highly charged situation to de-escalate tension and conflict Receive criticism and incorporate suggestion with a focus on improving work outcome Delay judgement and first impression to fully explore suggestions and options Prioritize daily clinical duties and additional assignments requested by the supervisor Work independently and effectively in a team Self-reliant to independently problem solve Communicate effectively and repair communication break down with rare need for supervisor intervention Remain flexible 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education, or knowledge and skills represented by audiology license.

Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.

Direct patient care duties may include, but not limited to, the following: Greeting and escorting patients Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting Non-diagnostic otoscopy Assist audiologist with cerumen management Take earmold impressions Assist in setting up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment and patient for the tele-health visit Prepare and charge new hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery Assist with walk-in appointments Process incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids, implant processor, or hearing assistive devices Hearing aid or implant device troubleshooting and repair Provide basic hearing aid and implant device information for patients and caregivers Perform listening checks on hearing aids Electroacoustic analysis of hearing aids Pair hearing aids and accessories with veteran's blue booth enabled personal devices Upload previously stored settings into hearing aids and/or accessories from hearing aid database.

Collect and manage treatment outcome data.

At least 25% of the work time will be in delivering advanced audiological services and when directed assist audiologists in conducting hearing pass/fail screen or other screenings that require no result interpretation.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service).

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 564-01556-F/564-01557-F/564-01558-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized