Health Technician (Audiology)

Summary
This position is located in the Audiology Service at Columbia VA Health Care System and the surrounding Community Care Outpatient Clinics.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
This position is open to current, permanent Columbia VA Health Care System Employees only.
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Duties
Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, patient education, including hearing conservation, telehealth services and speech instrumental procedures , which do not require a full professional audiology-speech education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology or speech licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.

• Sets up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures, telehealth visits, clinical swallow evaluations)
• Triages patients to an audiologist or speech pathologist.
• Instructs and counsels patients on hearing loss, hearing aids, on an individual basis, or in a group setting.
• Conducts hearing pure-tone air-conduction testing.
• Connects hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology.
• Performs non-diagnostic otoscopy and cerumen management.
• Takes earmold impressions.
• Troubleshoots and repairs hearing aids.
• Provides basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers.
• 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.
• Activates remote controls.
• Trains employees and patients on personal hearing protection devices; and prepping therapy or educational materials.
• Ensures timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the patient's medical record.
• Orders electronically equipment, components, and accessories, verifying orders are correct, and are working correctly.
• Manages incoming and outgoing hearing aid repair process.
• Manages hearing protection devices inventory and speech supplies for clinical swallow evaluations and laryngectomy care.
• Responds to routine inquires from patients.
• Manages infection control, patient safety, and areas related to clinical supplies for the audiology clinic.
• Maintains clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic.
• Reprocesses reusable medical equipment based on facility policy, according to Medical Center infection control procedures, and reusable medical equipment policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Subject to change by the needs of management.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 544-54459F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• Education or Experience:
  
  • 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. Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is required for the HTA, GS-08 assignment only.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Certification: Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is required for the Health Technician (Audiology) GS-08 position.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
HTA, GS-08
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.
Certification. CAOHC certification as a COHC is required for this assignment.
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.
Preferred Experience: Must be highly competent with Telehealth procedure cart and Audiology peripheral devices.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G70 - Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) Qualification Standard.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  
  • Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC)
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  • Cover Letter
  • VA Form 10-2850c - Applied Health Occupations
  • Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  
  VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C | Veterans Affairs.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• H...