Summary

This position is located in the Audiology Service at the CBOC in Pocatello - ID. The duties and responsibilities are 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. The incumbent is a staff health technician (Audiology) under the supervision of a GS-12 Audiologist or above.

Qualifications

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: HTA - HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C 7043(f)
• Experience or Education: Six 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 OR 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 An equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying
• An example is listed below: 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
• Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date 5/13/2021 of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• Grade Determinations: Health Technician Audiology (HTA) - GS-4 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements HTA - GS-5 Experience
• One year 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
• GS-4 Assignments: This is an entry level developmental position
• The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist
• The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment
• The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items
• ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks
• prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration
• maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
• preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs - ear mold orders and return for credit items
• and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory
• 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 - Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck
• (b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• (c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies
• (d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines (e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
• (f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email - spreadsheet and word processing
• HTA - GS-06 Experience
• Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• GS-5 Assignment: This is a developmental position
• The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist
• Assignments associated with this position include - but are not limited to answering and screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs
• assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment
• assisting with walk-in appointments
• processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology
• and preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery
• The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization and disposition of RME
• The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include: monitoring stock of RME and consumable items
• ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks
• prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration
• maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
• preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs - ear mold orders and return for credit items
• and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
• (b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families
• (c) Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• (d) 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
• (e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures
• (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures
• Preferred Experience: None Reference: VA Handbook 5005 - Staffing - Part II Appendix G70
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6.
• Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching - lifting - and repositioning and transferring patients
• Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative - secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - demonstrating cheerfulness - compassion - courtesy - and concern
• Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

Duties

• Responsible primarily for the patient care - supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures - patient charting and patient education - which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by Audiology Licensures
• Supports functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties
• Greets and escorts patients
• Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting
• Conducts hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation
• Non-diagnostic otoscopy
• Cerumen management
• Taking earmold impressions
• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair
• Provides basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers
• Performs listening checks on hearing aids
• Electroacoustic analysis of devices
• Pairs hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology
• Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids
• Activating remote controls
• Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interaction in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES .Manages office supplies
• Tracks loaner stock hearing aid inventory
• Electronic orders - verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly
• Places RTC orders for appointments
• Packages and mails hearing aids and accessories
• Processes ROES transactions (e.g. - certifying and issuing hearing aids - entering orders and repairs)
• Responds to routine inquiries from patients - including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions
• Assists patients - visitors - and other requesting information
• Management of infection control - patient safety - and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic
• Maintenance of lean - disinfected instrumentation - equipment - and work surfaces in the Audiology clinic
• Reprocesses reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies
• Responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment - resolving most of the conflicts that arise - coordinating the work with other as necessary and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives
• Responsible for carrying out the assignment under the direct supervision of the Supervising Audiologist
• Completed work is reviewed by the supervising Audiologist
• Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive: Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:54939-0 - #54940-0 - #54941-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized