This position is located in the Audiology Service at Madison VA hospital and all Madison VA Hospital Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. As members of the audiology service and hearing health care team, the Health Technician (HIS) possesses an active Hearing Instrument Specialist license & knowledge of basic ear anatomy. 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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: 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 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. 2 (1) 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). (1) Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS). (a) 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). (b) Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist. (c) Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment 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. In addition to the basic requirements outlined the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. For the Health Technician (HIS), GS-05:Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for this position: 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. GS-6 Full-Performance Level Experience: I possess at least one full year of experience as a Health Technician - Hearing Instrument Specialist at the next lower level (GS-5) which demonstrates the KSAs related to the duties of the position to be filled. In addition, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities for GS-06: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers nd 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. NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements. 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). Preferred Experience: 2-5 years experience working as a hearing instrument specialist (HIS) with an active HIS license. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. ["Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: 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). 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, such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC); and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies. Adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co signature by the audiologist. 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. 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, 8am - Noon. This is a part time position. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
