Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - at the Long Beach VA Healthcare System in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service (ASPS). The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and patient care areas involved with the Audiology Section.

Qualifications

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
• Experience and 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 least 12 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
• HTA - HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 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: Experience GS-04: None beyond the basic requirements
• Experience GS-05: (1) 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
• 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
• Experience GS-06: 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: (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: Experience working in an audiology clinic
• Knowledge and experience working with the following hearing aid manufacturers: Phonak - Oticon - Starkey - Signia - and ReSound
• 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: The incumbent must have the ability to sit - stand - and walk for prolonged periods
• There must also be a high degree of eye-hand coordination when working with the small components associated with hearing aids and earmolds
• Ability to assist or lift a patient may also be required occasionally.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Checks hearing aids as they arrive from the manufacturer to ensure that all ordered components are present and operational in advance of the scheduled delivery appointment
• Provides primary level maintenance to include troubleshooting and repair of hearing aid devices and accessories received by the Audiology Clinic - resolving most device issues
• Assesses hearing aid and accessory function and fit through listening checks - electro-acoustic evaluation - visual inspection - changing of batteries - cleaning of electrical contacts - removal of impacted cerumen from the aid - replacing earmold tubing - thin tubing - domes - receivers - and additional hearing aid parts as needed
• Stays abreast of new concepts - materials - fabrication and modification procedures - and components utilized in the field of Audiology and hearing aids which includes participation in continuing education and related in-service training
• Secures the patient's confidence and cooperation by explaining the upcoming procedure and performing a variety of challenging procedures such as earmold impressions - aural irrigation of impacted cerumen - and additional hearing aid and accessory testing processes as warranted Performs otoscopy and documents observations for audiologist's review - evaluation - and diagnosis
• Triage and provide follow-up of patients (in person - telehealth - or via telephone as appropriate) and informative instruction as part of a hearing aid orientation or follow-up visit
• Provides additional education and/or assistance in instances where patients present with limited dexterity - impaired vision - and/or cognitive deficits to ensure the proper use and care of hearing aids Documents all interactions with patients and caregivers in the electronic medical record in the form of observational - telephone - and administrative notes via Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or other appropriate proprietary software
• Enters orders for hearing aid and assistive listening device repairs - batteries - and other related supplies through Remote Order Entry System (ROES)
• Proactively follows-up on orders - making contacts within and outside of the facility to ensure everything is done to avoid a delay in delivery
• Maintains an adequate stock of materials and other supplies - as noted during supply inventory or as requested by ASPS staff - to meet clinic needs
• Responsible for maintaining - stocking - cleaning - and sanitizing all clinical areas and performing equipment maintenance and biologic checks as indicated by the audiologist
• Performs data management functions that are critical to the delivery of Audiology services
• Creates graphics for reports and presentations utilized by service management
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: At Management's Discretion Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized