Summary This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service. The Health Technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology under the supervision of a GS-12 audiologist or above. Responsibilities Greets and escorts patients Triages patients to the audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed Performs patient set up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures) Provides patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss, hearing protection, or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting Performs non-diagnostic otoscopy Takes earmold impressions Performs hearing aid troubleshooting and repair Performs listening checks on hearing aids and electroacoustic analysis of devices Pairs hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology Programs previously stored settings into hearing aids Alerts audiologist when excessive cerumen noted and when stable hearing noted for established patient and hearing aid repair does not resolve Veteran concerns Ensures 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 ROES Manages office supplies and manages hearing protection device inventory Performs electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly Responds to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions Cleans, disinfects instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic Responsible for stocking an adequate level of nonsterile and sterile supplies from various sources Mentors and trains new Health Technicians, students and trainees is specific skill required for the position Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. 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 least12 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. Certification: Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determination GS-8: Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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 conduct employee hearing conservation education and training. (b) Knowledge of the hearing conservation program requirements to manage records and files. (c) Ability to perform pure tone air conduction testing. (d) Ability to provide audiologic technical support to the employee hearing conservation program. (e) Ability to identify a threshold shift and make appropriate referrals for further testing when indicated. Certification: Must currently possess CAOHC certification as a COHC The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. 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 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.
