The incumbent is a staff health technician (Telehealth Clinical- Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. The position health technician (Telehealth Clinical- Audiology) is located in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service (ASPS), Audiology Section, in the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology Section. 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. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, non-citizen personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405, without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.. English Language Proficiency. A candidate will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part Education and Experience: (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical assistant (or technician) or health technician. OR (2) Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as, biological science, surgical technician courses, nursing assistant or other courses related to the position; or an associate degree in a health care related field; or (b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, or medical service specialists given by the U.S. Armed Forces. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical), GS-7 (Advanced) (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (a) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze, evaluate and resolve problems. (b) Knowledge of quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. (c) Ability to function effectively between competing priorities. (d) Knowledge of proper maintenance and troubleshooting of telehealth equipment. (e) Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize and coordinate activities of a health technician in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work. (f) Ability to assist in Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) development, outcome management and strategic planning. (g) Ability to perform successful knowledge transfer regarding the use of telehealth technologies. Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience with the following: a. Telepresenter using audiology specific peripheral equipment/transducers (headphones, inserts, bone conduction) b. Hearing aid troubleshooting/in-house repairs c. Hearing aid orientations d. Pairing/troubleshooting bluetooth connections with hearing aids e. Pairing/troubleshooting assistive listening devices (such as remote mics and tv connectors) with hearing aids References: VA Handbook 5005/96, Part II, Appendix G50. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: This position functions above the full performance level for the Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) position and serves in an advanced role. The incumbent performs a full range of duties and is responsible for day-today operation of telehealth services at the assigned location and between the assigned location and remote sites of care as well as participating in the programmatic development and advanced support of the facility-wide telehealth program. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgement and will often provide guidance to less experienced staff members and will require minimal direct supervision. This advanced position functions above the full performance level and therefore requires the performance of higher-level duties which must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The higher-level duties associated with this advanced-level position may include, but are not limited to: a) Coordinating, installing, maintaining and managing the inventory of telehealth technologies including hardware and software with assistance of Biomed and IT; b) Providing established standardized competency-based training, guidance and information on the use of advanced telehealth technologies to patients, staff, and providers; c) Providing established standardized competency-based training for telehealth technology, facilitating interactive simulations for clinical staff participating in telehealth programs; d) Participating in performance improvement activities aimed at improving the efficiency of the patient telehealth processes; e) Developing reporting procedures, sampling techniques and measurements at various points in the telehealth processes to identify/analyze inherent weaknesses in work and procedures; f) Coordinating clinic set up and monitoring of workload capture and issues for assigned patient and provider clinics including telehealth resource-based scheduling; g) Supporting designated complex telehealth programs that require advanced technical skillsets. Audiology specific duties: Performs diagnostic, treatment, and aftercare procedures: a) Conducts hearing and tympanometric screening, and otoacoustic emission tests (Without interpretation) via store-and-forward technology. b) Performs invasive procedures such as, ear impressions and cerumen management (competency required). c) Cerumen management. In accordance with clinic protocols, performs cerumen management. This includes evaluating the need for cerumen management, assessing contraindications, and selecting an appropriate method (mechanical, suction, irrigation). The health technician performs cerumen management, recognizes potential complications, and initiates referrals to the Audiology staff, primary care, or ENT as necessary. Follows infection control guidelines. d) Performs technical check, troubleshooting, and minor repairs to hearing aids. e) Serves as technical experts in the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment. Full performance level assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: a) Coordinating and/or directly configuring, installing, troubleshooting, inventory management, cleaning, and performing minor routine maintenance of assigned telehealth technology including hardware and software. b) Providing established standardized competency-based training, guidance and information on the use of advanced telehealth technologies to patients, staff, and providers. Serving as a point of contact to answer questions and address concerns related to these technologies. c) Providing established standardized competency-based training for telehealth technology, facilitating interactive simulations for clinical staff participating in telehealth programs. d) Maintaining knowledge of and skill in applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, and operations in telehealth-related technologies and a variety of computer hardware and software used for telecommunications, data entry and retrieval, record maintenance, document and report generation. e) Participating in performance improvement activities aimed at improving the efficiency of the patient telehealth processes. f) Developing reporting procedures, sampling techniques and measurements at various points in the telehealth processes to identify/analyze inherent weaknesses in work and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS# XXXXX-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]

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