This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service of the Veteran's Health Care System of the Ozarks, covering part of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The incumbent will be based at the Springfield facility and is expected to travel to other facilities 2 to 3 days a week to provide coverage. Incumbent may also be assigned to any of the facilities under the Veteran's Health Care System of the Ozarks. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: (1) Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org.OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AuD programs in audiology. 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.*Non-licensed audiologists 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) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. Grade Determinations: Grade Requirements: GS-11 Requirements Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. (c) Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals. Grade Requirements: GS-12 Requirements 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders. (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. Preferred Experience: Ability to be self-aware and manage emotion during highly charged situation to de-escalate tension and conflict. Ability to receive criticism and incorporate suggestion with a focus on improving work outcome. Ability to delay judgement and first impression to fully explore suggestions and options. Ability to prioritize daily clinical duties and additional assignments requested by supervisor. Ability to work independently and effectively in a team. Ability to communicate effectively and repair communication break down with rare need for supervisor intervention. Ability to remain flexible to accommodate new and changing work conditions. Detail Oriented References: VA Handbook 5005/152, Part II Appendix G29, Audiologist Qualification Standard dated September 22, 2022. 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: Physical Demands: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. 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. Driver's license and physical exam required to confirm ability to operate a government vehicle. ["Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply using announcement: CBST-12120295-23-AC Demonstrates professional knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles and methodologies in the practice of Audiology to young adult through geriatric population. Demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities during performance of clinical duties/functions: knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular system, acoustics, applied acoustics, psychoacoustics, human communication principles, auditory, vestibular, and balance disorders and pathophysiology; knowledge of contemporary audiology practice, principles and techniques in assessing and treating auditory and vestibular disorders; ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals courteously in person, in writing, and effectively via telehealth modality. Evaluate patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing disorders and tinnitus complaints using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past and current medical history, record review, and in consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Engages in the differential diagnosis of the full range of hearing problems associated with (a) functional, (b) mixed, (c) conductive, (d) sensory, (e) neural, (f) sensorineural, and (g) central hearing loss. In diagnosing these problems, the incumbent conducts and interprets the complete range of specialized and refined audiologic test procedures currently available. Incumbent must demonstrate excellent skill in dealing with patients who present with (a) inconsistent behavior, (b) conflicting test results, and (c) multiple handicaps that inhibit the utilization of normal audiologic test procedures. Be flexible in performing new evaluation or rehabilitative consistent with an audiologist's scope of practice that the medical center may offer to veterans in the future services for aural and vestibular rehabilitation, consistent with patient's needs, develops treatment plans and provide aural and vestibular rehabilitation. Aural rehabilitation is not limited to selection, fitting, and dispensing of hearing amplification and assistive devices and will include functional performance before and after intervention and verifies acoustic performance of hearing aids using electro-acoustic, real-ear, and functional measurements. Incumbent shall provide patient and age specific counseling on how to maximize the use of residual hearing and if necessary develop other modes of communication, listening strategies, and treatment plans for the most difficult and complex cases in which communicative function has been impaired due to an auditory or neurologic disorder and recommends a holistic audiologic rehabilitation plan for patients with other co-morbidities. Vestibular rehabilitation shall be patient, age, and function appropriate to include vestibular exercises and head positional maneuver and collaborates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of patients experiencing dizziness or balance problem. The manner of care delivery is not limited to face to face patient contact and will incorporate tele-health platform at Joplin facility. May perform compensation and pension examination that includes detailed assessment of past and present noise exposure; comprehensive evaluation of type and severity of hearing loss and tinnitus; additional specialized auditory and vestibular tests when appropriate, and provide opinion on the relationship between conditions and military service when requested. Upon credentialling and licensure verification as a Licensed Independent Practitioner, the incumbent shall conduct auditory assessment that may include functional aspect of the audition, the results of which may be utilized in hearing impairment adjudication and for medical-legal purposes. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. The incumbent may assist in maintaining supplies, equipment inventory, and calibration schedule of equipment to optimize operational need and efficiency. Shall perform additional tasks specified by the service chief or supervisor of Audiology and Speech Pathology which may include treatment outcome data gathering, quality improvement project, service expansion, training and meeting attendance, interdisciplinary committee participation and other administrative duties as directed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00793-F 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.
