Summary This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in the Veterans' homes, in Home Based Primary Care, at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VAMC, and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics including Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, and Tupelo, MS. Responsibilities The staff audiologist at this level is an independent licensed practitioner and must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. Major duties for the Audiologist position include but are not limited to: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals by way of face to face or virtual modalities. Autonomously selects and administers the full range of tests utilizing a variety of specialized audiologic assessment procedures (clinic protocol) in an attempt to provide audiometric information as to the organicity of hearing impairment, site of lesion, and/or other data of interest to referring medical staff. Counsels with the patient relative to the psychological/social problems that result from hearing loss, including the most difficult and complex cases in which the patient may have multiple diagnoses, making appropriate referrals for treatment of these problems when indicated and independent of supervisory assistance. Performs audiometric compensation/pension reports as prescribed by the VA and provides evaluation and interpretation of results in accordance with existing legislative and regulatory provisions. Writes reports and medical opinions in CAPRI. Performs advanced differential test procedures such as auditory brainstem response testing, acoustic reflexes, video nystagmography, cervical/ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, electrocochleography, and otoacoustic emissions in order to provide diagnostic information to referring physicians to assist in identifying various pathologies/etiologies. Performs regular biological calibration of equipment. Autonomously prescribes, selects and fits hearing aids, including those which utilize the newest technologies, as well as special assistive devices (ALD) which he/she deems necessary given the patient's hearing impairment and/or the complexity/severity of the patient's other diagnoses. Independently performs hearing aid evaluation, carrying out appropriate aural rehabilitation, counseling and patient education for patients and/or caregivers/family members when indicated by the evaluation, the fitting of the aid or its use by the veteran as well as completing the appropriate electroacoustic analysis of the hearing aids prior to issuance of the aid/aids. Completes real-ear testing in order verify appropriate fittings. Independently plans and administers aural rehabilitation programs for those patients needing special assistance in adjusting to amplification. Works with patient and family members to remediate communication problems. Autonomously evaluates/troubleshoots hearing aid problems whenever deemed necessary during evaluation of a patient and particularly during the Audiology Section's Hearing Aid Repair clinic. Performs necessary adjustments, in-house repairs/modifications as well as appropriately re-instructs patient regarding hearing aid care, use and realistic benefit from amplification. Conducts cerumen management/removal when necessary. Aids in opening mail-ins and assists with mail-outs when needed. Certifies repaired and new aids in ROES system in a timely manner. Assists health tech with hearing aid repairs when needed and sees hearing aid repairs when deemed necessary by Audiology Supervisor. Assists with reordering hearing aid supplies when a need is evident. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 4:30pm) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51165-F 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. 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 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. 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. (Copy of Transcript with application is required) 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. (Copy of Licensure with application is required) 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, GS-12. (1) 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. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (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. 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-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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 for 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.
