Health Technician (Audiology)

SummaryThis position is in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service of the Bay Pines VAHCS - at any location to include CWY Bill Young - Cape Coral - and any of the three CBOCs: North Pinellas - Sarasota - and Bradenton. 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.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States CitizenshipNon-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyHTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403 (f)Experience and EducationExperienceSix 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 filledOR - EducationSuccessful 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 positionOR - Experience/Education CombinationEquivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifyingAn 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 industryCertificationCertification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is accepted however - it is not required for HTAs at the GS-7 levelGrandfathering ProvisionAll individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certificationFor employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positionsIf an HTA - HTSLP or HTASLP who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupationHTAs - HTSLPs or HTASLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard(4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupationGRADE DETERMINATIONSIn addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-04 ExperienceNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-05 ExperienceOne 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 filledOR EducationSuccessful 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 occupationDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - AbilitiesIn 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 neckAbility to communicate clearly orally and in writingKnowledge of basic hearing assistive technologiesKnowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelinesAbility to maintain stock and supply level inventoriesSkill in using basic computer software such as email - spreadsheet and word processingGS-06 ExperienceCompletion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filledDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomyKnowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and familiesKnowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer softwareAbility 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 audiologistAbility to prepare patients for testing proceduresAbility to document and code patient proceduresGS-07 ExperienceCompletion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filledDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTAsAbility to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist - such as evoked potentialsAbility to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiologyPhysical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require the use of fingers - reaching above shoulder - standing (1-2 hours) - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneouslyHearing aid use is permittedPreferred Experience: customer service experience programming and/or repairing hearing aids providing hearing aid education to patientsDutiesDuties include but not limited to: 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 licensureSupport functions include both direct patient care and administrative dutiesIn addition - the incumbent must be able to mentor and train new Audiology Health Technicians (Hearing)Direct patient care duties may include - but not limited to the following: Greeting and escorting patientsTriaging patients to an Audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completedPatient 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 settingConducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretationNon-diagnostic otoscopyCerumen managementTaking earmold impressionsHearing aid troubleshooting and repairProviding basic hearing aid information for patients and caregiversPerforming listening checks on hearing aidsElectroacoustic analysis of devicesPairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technologyProgramming previously stored settings into hearing aidsActivating remote controlsThe incumbent at this level is required to have the knowledge - skills - and abilities to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiologyFocused area will be a hearing aids program that does not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensureFocus area will include cerumen management - hearing aid repair - and advanced patient user education that does not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensureEnsuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROESmanaging office suppliesTracking loaner stock hearing aid inventoryElectronic ordering - verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctlyScheduling appointmentsPackaging and mailing hearing aids and accessoriesProcessing ROES transactions (e.gcertifying 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 questionsAssisting 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 policiesWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am 4:00 pm or 8:00 am 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 21892F - 20504F - 20503F - 21824F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized