This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, Georgia located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service.
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. Education: Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at 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 U.S. Department of Educations. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree and AUD Programs in Audiology. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. Programs. Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United State, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic requirements the following experience is required for the Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) GS-13: Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. 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.
Major duties include: Serves as an advanced practice independent licensed pratitioner and must demonstrate the ability to apply advanced audiologic knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of complex patient populations. Applies increased depth and breadth of practice skills; has expertise in participating in the professional development of colleagues through mentorship and teaching. In addition to clinical duties of a staff audiologist, incumbent has advance practice responsibilities and expertise in the areas of advanced electro-physiologic measurements and advanced vestibular assessment measurements. Applies advanced audiologic knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of complex patient populations. Provides audiology services requiring the exercise of mature professional judgement and the flexible use of a wide range of complex audiology practice skills not typically required in routine audiology practice. Responsible for the diagnostic care of veterans seen for balance, vestibular, or dizziness complaints within the Gait and Balance Center and the Audiology Clinics. Responsible for administering and interpreting test results from a comprehensive battery assessing the patients balance disorder. This includes the complete video or electro-nystagmography (VNG or ENG) battery, Rotary Chair, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), Posturography, Electrocochleography, examination protocol, as well as ony other required audiologic or vestibular evaluation. Provides rehabilitative treatments. Provides hearing aid evaluations, assessments, selection, fitting, orientation, training, and follow-up services. Performs compensation and pension examination including detailed past military, occupational and recreational noise exposure history, comprehensive evaluation of type and severity of hearing loss, tinnitus evaluation, special auditory and vestibular tests, and medical opinions on the relationship between conditions and military service when corrected. Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focus treatment services designed to optimize function. Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Documents in the medical record, evaluate diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patien/family education. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. Convey scientific concepts and methodological principles to individuals with diverse levels of technical expertise. Works to recruit and maintain caseload and educate other clinicians by providing presentations at local, state, and national professional meetings. Collaborates on research, education and supervision with academic affiliates. Follows applicable informed conscents, HIPPA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Work schedule is subject to change based on agency's needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 60046F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.