This position serves a staff Health Technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. This position is in the Audiology Service at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, AZ. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.
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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education or Experience: Experience: Six months of creditable experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position. 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. English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (Audiology) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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). Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Audiology) - GS 04 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. Health Technician (Audiology) - GS 05 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrated the knowledge skills and abilities related to the duties of the position. OR, Education: Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate MUST demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. Health Technician (Audiology) - GS 06 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. Ability to document and code patient procedures. 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-04 to GS-06. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G70 - Health Technician (Audiology) Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending, and standing. Patient transport occasionally requires pushing of wheelchairs, possibly assisting patients with movement using lifts.
Duties of the Health Technician (Audiology) include but are not limited to the following: Greeting and escorting patients. Providing patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids and accessories either on an individual basis following initial fitting by audiologist. Performing non-diagnostic otoscopy; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers. Performing listening checks on hearing aids. Performing electroacoustic analysis of devices. Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology. Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids. Activating remote controls and working in the Audiology Walk in Clinic. Assisting walk-in patients with any hearing aid and accessory issues. Triaging, repairing, checking and cleaning or sending hearing aids and accessories in for repair. Contacting patients and logging appropriate documentation is provided in ROES (Remote Order Entry System) and electronic medical records. Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. Managing office supplies. Electronic ordering and verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories. Processing ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Responding to routine inquiries from patients, family and caregivers including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Managing of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Cleaning and disinfecting instruments, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic. Reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7;30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000