Summary This Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is in the Audiology Service located at the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic in Huntsville, AL. The health technicians support the function of the clinical programs in Audiology including other outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Travel is required. Current and valid Driver's License is also required. Responsibilities This Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology Service, including other outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and mobile vans. Driving is required and involves up to 75% travel. Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology- including all hearing aids accessories. Fabricating mold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy. Ordering ear molds based on plan of care through prosthetics or Denver Logistic Center (DLC) and fitting and modifying ear molds if necessary. Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan. Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and teleheath visit by preparing equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures. Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), and paring devices with app or Bluetooth pairing. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical records and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. Performs pure tone air conduction testing under direction of an audiologist w/o interpretation and also performs hearing aid adjustments under the direction of the licensed Audiologist. Administrative duties may include maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of reusable medical equipment (RME) and consumable items. Ensuring proper inventory levels to complete daily tasks. Prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. The incumbent also assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center Staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays (off Wednesdays), 6:30am- 5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Travel: up to 75% travel is required, must have valid Driver's license. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 63084F / 63085F 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. 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 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: A) Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. B) English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). C) Experience and Education: Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists OR Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas. Note- There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements. D) License or Registration: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. E) Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), GS-06: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices. Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection). Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests. 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 or GS-6. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a health care setting. The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying of light items, may require lifting of heavy equipment and assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. 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 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.
