This position is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service (ASPS) at Tennessee Valley Healthcare Services (TVHS) in Nashville Tennessee. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service at TVHS. This position serves as an Audiologist (Clinical Specialist -Cochlear Implant) has special clinical program responsibilities in a unified audiology and speech-language pathology service (ASPS).
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. English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: 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, Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. (A copy of transcripts with conferred of degree date must be submitted with application package.) 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. 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). Experience: In addition to the requirements at the GS-13 level, do you possess one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level AND demonstrate the following KSA's below: (a) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. (b) Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. (c) Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. (d) Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. (e) Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. Preferred Experience: Recent experience with cochlear implant workups. Recent experience with surgery monitoring and activation for Cochlear Americas and Advanced Bionics cochlear implants. 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers and both hands required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Mental and Emotional Stability; works outside and inside; works closely with others; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (Clinical Specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning, and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program. Duties include, but not limited to: Provides leadership and directs oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the specialty program. Serves as a coach or facilitator for an interdisciplinary team and is responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. This individual serves as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program of management of patients with bio electric or Cochlear implants. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations. Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize function. Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Performs compensation and pension examinations, medical opinions, tinnitus evaluations, special auditory and vestibular tests. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. Serves as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. Provides orientation/training of new departmental staff or other medical staff. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Ensures adequate equipment and supply inventory is maintained related to Cochlear implant program and ensures that the equipment calibration and maintenance is performed on a timely basis. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4pm Telework : AD-Hoc Functional Statement #: 71097-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized