Summary Incumbent functions as the Program Coordinator of the NWI VAHCS Implantable Hearing Device Program and is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical services, as well as coordinating and overseeing the Implantable Hearing Devices Program in Audiology. The incumbent is expected to carry out general duty assignments but also serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for health care providers regarding delivery of care in the area of implantable devices. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: The incumbent is responsible for the oversight of the Implantable Hearing Devices Program: provides advanced implantable device care in person and via telehealth, and coordinates care with an in-depth understanding of complex and difficult patients; demonstrates advanced competence in the examination and treatment of patients that are potential candidates for implantable devices; possesses a thorough knowledge of available implantable hearing devices, including equipment and programming software, and possesses a unique and thorough knowledge of troubleshooting, fitting and adjustment of implantable devices; serves as the SME in the area of implantable devices; reviews inter-facility consults for implantable hearing device care and coordinates care with the patient's parent facility; applies current technology with regards to implantable hearing devices and assistive listening devices to maximize rehabilitation of each patient; reviews, updates and maintains policies and procedures related to implantable hearing devices; consults with the interdisciplinary team which includes otolaryngology, creating and maintaining an ongoing working relationship within the NWI VAHCS, for provision of implantable device services; and continually monitors and tracks the efficacy and quality of the program to make suggestions for ongoing improvement. The incumbent serves as the NWI Auditory Implant Program SME in regards to surgical service line needs. The incumbent monitors surgical kit stock and serves as a liaison between the operating room staff, auditory implant surgeon, and auditory implant team. The incumbent completes intraoperative electrophysiological testing during cochlear implant surgeries and ensures readiness for postoperative mapping. The incumbent provides orientation/training of medical staff; assists in orientation and training of new staff; assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals; keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs; provides patient and family education including informed consent; and follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights. In carrying out the administrative duties and responsibilities of the position, incumbent: functions as Implantable Hearing Device Program Coordinator; uses knowledge of contemporary audiology practices; articulates and communicates goals, objectives, and focused initiatives for a specialized clinical program, as well as guiding other service staff members on work methods, practices, and procedures; coaches the clinical team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques for implantable hearing devices; monitors, evaluates, and tracks the performance of the implantable hearing device program and makes recommendations for improvement; creates and maintains the handouts, training guides, questionnaires, and presentations for implantable hearing devices; and obtains assistance from supervisors or program managers on problems that may arise. Work Schedule: Part-time Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. 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 identification 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: 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: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org. OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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. 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: Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13: Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade (GS-12) level. GS-12 level experience includes: Skill in determining nature, @type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. Preferred Experience: Experience working with auditory implant patients. Experience completing candidacy evaluations and programming all @types of auditory implant processors. Experience completing intraoperative monitoring for cochlear implant surgeries. Experience training Audiology doctoral students at all levels in auditory implant clinical services. 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
