This position is located at the Anniston/Oxford CBOC. The incumbent works in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Clinic and serves under the Chief, ASPS with direction from the professional staff in the Audiology/Speech section of the service. Duty location may also be on one of the mobile audiology clinics that travels to surrounding CBOC locations and/or Veterans Homes. A valid/unrestricted Driver License is required. 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: A candidate will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 74 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All 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/certification. For 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 positions. If 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 occupation. HTAs, 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 occupation. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to mentor and train new HTAs. (b) Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials. (c) Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The HTA at this level works under supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care, preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials and collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff. References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II Appendix G70 Preferred Experience- Previous direct patient care. Physical Requirements: Requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment, or assisting patients. The position requires travel between VA clinics. ["Major duties include, but not limited to: Mentor and train new health technicians (Audiology) Complete adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care Prepare patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials Collaborate with Audiology team to create training programs for patients and staff Direct patient care duties may include: 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, neuro-diagnostic procedures) Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individuals basis or in a group setting Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation Non-diagnostic otoscopy Cerumen management Administrative duties maybe include: Managing office supplies Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory Scheduling appointments Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories Responding to routing inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic Assist the speech language pathologist as needed Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or as discussed with management Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
