Summary This Health Technician (Audiology) position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Services at the VA Bedford Healthcare System, in Bedford, MA. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities 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. The incumbent is a staff Health Technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 audiologist or above. Greets and escorts patients. Responsible for patient care and supports diagnostic and treatment procedures. Completes patient charting and patient education. Supports functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. Mentors and trains new Health Technicians (Audiology) Triage patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed. Sets up for advanced diagnostic procedures. Assists patient instructions and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting. Plans, coordinates and implements the audiologic rehabilitation one-to-one and group focused programs for the Audiology service under the direction and supervision of a licensed audiologist Utilizes an otoscope in performance of non-diagnostic otoscopy Demonstrates knowledge of the basic anatomy of the external ear and external auditory canal; ability to observe the difference between normal and abnormal Posses basic knowledge of instruments used in tests and procedures Must have basic knowledge in electronics required to troubleshoot hearing aids and assistive listening devices Demonstrates knowledge and experience in appropriate handling, troubleshooting and modification of hearing aids Adapts procedure to accomplish care where guidelines of the position do not apply. Performs impressions of the ear and invasive procedures such as cerumen management when necessary and assesses appropriateness in physical fit of technology. Handles complexity and a range of variety in education and instruction to patients and family members in a one-to-one or group setting under the direction of a supervising audiologist to optimize rehabilitative and health outcomes and establish realistic expectations for patients utilizing amplification, assistive listening devices, and accessories. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F05078 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: Current federal employees must submit copies of their most recent non-award SF50 (notice of personnel action). The SF50 must identify the position, title, series, grade, step, tenure and @type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. English Language Proficiency: HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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, Certification: Not required at the GS-07 level. 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: GS-07 Health Technician Audiology: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTAs. Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials. 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. Preferred Experience: Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong Veteran-centered customer service; comfort working with older adults, cognitive impairment and dementia; and the ability to remain calm, accurate, and courteous in various clinical settings to include outpatient, inpatient, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Experience supporting hearing aid mail processing and ROES certification, including walk-ins, troubleshooting, cleaning, inventory tracking, and inpatient hearing aid checks is highly desirable. Proficiency with electronic health records, strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask while supporting multiple providers are preferred. Tele-audiology experience is a plus but not required. Reliability, flexibility, and a collaborative team mindset are essential. 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-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
