Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

.

Update canvas image

Image uploaded by:

Ryan Callahan

You don't have permission to edit.

You must be logged in.

Group editing is not supported in IE8.

Sorry, group editing is not supported in your browser. Editing is supported in Internet Explorer 9 or later, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

Select Image Crop

Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Amarillo, TX

Apply Back to Job Postings

Security Clearance: None

Duties

Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.

Direct Patient Care:

Processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology.
Preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery.
Receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer, Denver Logistics Center (DLC)
Performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management.
Rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments.
Providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan.
Completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance).
Provides instruction to patients, family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation.
Administrative:
Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items.
Ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks.
Prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory.
Receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans (electronic and telephone), and facilitates follow-up based on audiologist's treatment plan to include ordering supplies through DLC.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
This is a Bargaining Unit position.

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.
Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
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.
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.
Licensure 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.
Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS).
Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification, including the time (i.e., two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment.
Loss of Certification. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:
Health Technician (HIS), GS-05
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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 (HIS), GS-06
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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.
Preferred Experience:
Performing otoscopy and taking ear mold impressions, trouble shooting and minor repair of hearing aids/ear molds
Performing daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment;. Setting up patients for testing and also for performing real ear measurements. Performing air conduction audiometry (without interpretation) for follow up patients
Knowledge to educate on care and maintenance of hearing aids, accessories. Pairing hearing aids with accessories and cell phone
Changing acoustic parameter information in NOAH, performing feedback tests. Performing firmware updates on hearing aids, programming Loss and damage hearing aid with previously programmed data. completing adjustments of hearing aids as outlined in Audiologist treatment plan of care
Computer literacy and electronic documentation, knowledge of ROES, printing consult reports for audiologist to review
Knowledge on Inventory and supplies

References: VA Handbook 5005/149 Part II Appendix G73 Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) Qualification Standard GS-0640 Veterans Health Administration March 18, 2022.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling; pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending (2 hours); near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
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

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.