Health Technician (Audiology)

Full Job Description

The incumbent is a staff health technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a staff audiologist.

This position is located in the Audiology Service at Kernersville Health Care Center in Kernersville, NC.

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.

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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).

Experience an Education: (1) 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 (2) Education.

Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least12 semester hours in courses related to the position.

OR (3) 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.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 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).

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 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. This is an entry level developmental position.

The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist.

The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment.

The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME).

The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory.

Health Technician (Audiology), GS-05 (1) 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 (2) 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.

(3) 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: (a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck.

(b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. (c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. (d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.

(e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. (f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing.

Health Technician (Audiology), GS-06 (1 ) 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.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.

(b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. (c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.

(d) 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.

(e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures. Preferred Experience: 1.

Strong knowledge base of BlueTooth technologies with emphasis on variety of cell phone manufacturers. 2.

Familiar with use of Electronic Medical Records for documentation and research of patient information. 3.

Preferred experience would include one year of working in an Audiology & Speech Pathology clinical setting, or an Audiology-adjacent discipline. 4. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 5.

Knowledge of hearing aid care. 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 GS-4 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Major Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Greeting and escorting patients Provides patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids Taking earmold impressions Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers Performs listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids Alert audiologist when hearing aid repair does not resolve Veteran concerns Managing office supplies Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory Electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly 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 Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized